Langdale Walking & Adventure Holidays

Walking Programme
Our English speaking Alpine guide, Peter Bittel, has put together a programme of guided walks that are guaranteed to be stunning. All walks are graded easy or moderate, and should be well within the capability of anyone who is reasonably fit. A particular feature of this programme is the use that we make of the cog railway and gondolas in connection with the walking programme.

Weather
The weather in the Alps in June should be warm and spring-like. However, as in most mountainous regions, the weather can be unpredictable and it is best to be prepared for all conditions, so do bring waterproofs and a warm fleece for the higher sections!

Saturday 6 June 2012: UK to Zermatt
We depart either London Heathrow at 0820 with British Airways flying to Geneva, or Manchester at 0840 flying to Zurich with Swiss International Airlines. From our respective airports, we take a train to Zermatt. Those flying to Geneva will have good views of Lake Geneva from the train. We all change at Visp, from where we collect the mountain railway link to Zermatt, arriving at 1614. We are met on arrival at Zermatt Station by porters who will transport our luggage whilst we take the four minute walk through the car free village to Hotel Alex.

Hotel Alex exudes Swiss charm, with a traditional log-cabin exterior, hand-turned furniture and exquisite wood carvings that transform the hotel into a beautiful Gesamtkunstwerk, (or artistic creation!), at the heart of Zermatt. Inside are modern, beautifully presented bedrooms and luxury suites. The hotel is centrally located in a quiet cul-de-sac just off the main street, and is run by the second generation of the Perren and Hurlimann families, who take great pride in providing a high quality, personal and very hands-on service. It includes one of Zermatt's top restaurants, with delicious menus that change daily and include a choice of local dishes and delicacies, hence our decision to eat at the hotel each evening.

Free time to settle in before a welcome reception and 4-course dinner in the Hotel.

Sunday 10 June 2012: Bodmen, Herbrigg and Z'mutt
After a full buffet breakfast at the hotel, we are met by our Guide for the walking programme, Peter Bittel. Peter, or Peppo as he is known, was born and grew up in Zermatt. His aim in life is "to inspire people" and to achieve this he works as a qualified guide, sharing his passion for the mountains with skiers, climbers and walkers.

We walk out from the Hotel, through Bodmen on paths that lead us uphill to Herbrigg, from where we have a stunning view of Zermatt and the valley below (weather permitting!). This tiny hamlet is made up of small stone-roofed timber huts, providing lots of photographic opportunities. From here we continue on a trail that was once a frequently used and busy route to Sion, to Z'mutt, a quaint village of timber houses set in a trim meadow, with a sheer rock face rising behind and another falling away in front. There is also a centuries old chapel and a cosy restaurant, Restaurant Z'mutt, where we can have an optional lunch. From Z'mutt it is a one hour walk back to Zermatt. 4-course dinner at the Hotel.

Distance - 7.2km; total ascent 520m; total descent 520m; highest point 1936m

Monday 11 June 2012: Blauherd to Riffelalp
After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Blauherd, travelling by train and gondola. From Blauherd we take in Stellisee, Fluhalp, Grindijisee, Grunsee and Riffelalp. We have the option of lunch in the charming Restaurant Grunsee and, if you are feeling very brave, the opportunity to swim in the chilly waters of the lake at Grunsee. Our route takes us close to the Findeln glacier and at Stellisee lake we hope to see a stunning reflection of the Matterhorn in its still waters. This is a day that presents a great opportunity to spot marmots and learn more about their way of life. Chamois and ibex also inhabit these parts, and a wide range of alpine flowers will be in bloom. We return to Zermatt on the Gornergrat railway, Europe's highest tram, in time to relax before dinner in the hotel.

Distance - 8.6km; total ascent 320m; total descent 670m; highest point 2618m

Tuesday 12 June 2012: The Matterhorn Glacier Trail
Today should provide more stunning views of the Matterhorn. After another delicious breakfast at the hotel, we take the gondola to Trockener Steg and set off on the Matterhorn Glacier Trail through beautiful rocky landscapes and mountain scenery. From Trockener Steg we hope to be able to see 29 four-thousand metre peaks, weather permitting. This unique route takes us close by the Furgg glacier, vividly revealing its history and providing walkers with interactive background information about glaciers. At the idyllic Schwarzsee lake, with its little chapel of the Holy Mary of the Snow, we have superb views of the Matterhorn and a perfect place for an optional lunch in the Restaurant Schwarzsee. From here we descend by gondola to Furi and walk back to Zermatt through the pretty hamlet of Zum See. Dinner at the hotel.

Distance 9.6km; total ascent 325m; total descent 300m; highest point 2939m

Wednesday 13 June 2012: Free day
A free day to explore the delightful village of Zermatt and its surroundings. There are a number of optional activities possible, including a day's summer skiing on the glacier, a helicopter ride to view the mountains from above, a gondola ride to Furi to visit the Glacier Garden of Zermatt, a day trip within Switzerland to places such as Geneva, Lausanne, Saas Fe or Interlaken, or you can browse the shops in Zermatt and take advantage of the great facilities at the Hotel. Also worth a look is the free glacier grotto at Klein Matterhorn. There are underground tunnels, rooms and ice sculptures in the fantastic blue glacial ice to explore at the 'highest and largest' glacier grotto in the World. Full buffet breakfast and 4-course dinner, as usual, will be in the Hotel.

Thursday 14 June 2012: The Mark Twain Path and Gornergrat
After breakfast and a short train ride to Riffelalp, today we set off on the Mark Twain Path through Riffelsee and Rotenboden to Gornergrat. If we missed it on Tuesday, this provides another opportunity to see the 29 four-thousand metre peaks. There is a lake at Riffelsee and we pass through a nature reserve providing glimpses of marmotte, chamois and ibex as well as the many beautiful alpine flowers. We end at the top station of Gornergrat, where we can visit the viewing platform above the Kulmhotel for a panorama of alpine peaks and the Gorner glacier. An optional lunch is available at Hotel Gornergrat-Kulm 3100m prior to the scenic ride back down the mountain on Europe's highest tram system. Dinner at the hotel.

Distance 4km; total ascent 639m; total descent 50m; highest point 3100m

Friday 15 June 2012: Zermatt to Sunnegga
After breakfast we head for Teifmatten, from where we take the Hohenweg to the Sleepy Valais hamlet of Findeln, known for its romantic chalets and a chapel dating back to 1691. We stop here for an optional lunch at the delightful Restaurant Chez Vrony, Findeln, and perhaps, for the very brave, a swim in the Leisee Lake, before continuing to Sunnegga and the funicular back to Zermatt. Along the way we can expect to see magnificent views of the Weisshorn. The trail is bordered by Alpine roses which typically bloom in June and July and we can anticipate another opportunity to view some of the local wildlife. There are marmot observation points at Sunnegga.

At the end of the day we say a sad farewell to Peter, our Guide, and enjoy a final 4-course gourmet dinner at the Hotel.

Distance 5.7km; total ascent 883m; total descent 200m; highest point 2288m

Saturday 16 June 2012: Zermatt to Geneva and flight back to UK
After breakfast our luggage is transported to the station while we take the short walk to catch the train for the journey to the airport.For Geneva we depart Zermatt at 0939, and for Manchester at 11.39. We change at Visp and arriving at Geneva Airport at 1333 or Zurich at 1516. Flights leave Geneva at 1515 and Zurich at 1715, arriving at London Heathrow at 1600 local time or Manchester at 1816.

Please note: the walking programme is weather dependent.
If conditions are unsuitable for any of the planned walks then others will be substituted. Zermatt is well-blessed with walking routes so there are many interesting and scenic options to choose from.

Hotel Alex
Hotel Alex is a charming Swiss hotel, where the traditional log-cabin exterior conceals a passionate commitment to hospitality. The modern bedrooms and luxury suites, hand-turned furniture and exquisite wood carvings transform the hotel into an astonishing Gesamtkunstwerk, or artistic creation, at the heart of the village. It is family run and superbly managed by the second generation of the Perren and Hurlimann families, who have turned customer care into an art form.The Rustic Lounge which has an open log fires and a cosy bar make it a popular meeting place after dinner.

All bedrooms are south facing with views towards the Matterhorn. Each room is individually designed and meets the very highest contemporary standards. The Jacuzzi bathroom has a WC, a hairdryer and bath robes, and all rooms have direct line telephones with answering machines, cable TV/radio, WLAN and a safe. Prices are based on standard rooms, but prices are available on application for executive rooms or suites.

At Hotel Alex we're spoilt for choice when it comes to exercise options. All the following facilities are provided free of charge:

Flights are with Swiss International from Manchester or British Airways from Heathrow. Please note that the following flight details are the latest known and are subject to confirmation. All times are local.

Low Cost Airlines
We will travel with British Airways and Swiss International, but as Geneva is a popular low-cost airline destination, you may prefer to make your own flight arrangements. Several low-cost airlines have direct flights to Geneva from various regional airports. We are unable to book low-cost flights on your behalf, but we are happy to advise you on your options, and help where we can.

Rail travel is from Geneva or Zurich to Zermatt via Visp (approx. 3hrs 15mins) and tickets will be forwarded to you if you arrange your own flight. There are regular connections throughout the day. All times are local and are subject to confirmation. Swiss time is one hour ahead.