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Tour of Monte Rosa

Tour of Monte Rosa — the trail guide

The Tour of Monte Rosa is a 164.8 km trek in Switzerland & Italy, typically walked in 9–10 days, with 11406 m of total ascent. It rates Expert on our published rubric (69 m of gain per km, topping out at 3326 m).

The Tour of Monte Rosa is a demanding hut-to-hut loop encircling the second-highest massif in the Alps, weaving between the Swiss Valais and the Italian valleys of Aosta and Piedmont. Beginning and ending in car-free Zermatt, it links nine stages over glaciated cols — the Theodul glacier and the 2,853m Monte Moro Pass among them — before the airy Europaweg and its record-length suspension bridge return you to town. Expect roughly 166km and nearly 10,000m of ascent.

Quick facts

Distance164.8 km
Total ascent11406 m
Typical duration9–10 days
Difficulty (computed)Expert
Steepness69 m gain per km
High point3326 m
CountrySwitzerland & Italy
RegionSwitzerland & Italy

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Expert" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 1182 m · high point 3326 m · 11406 m total ascent over 164.8 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1612 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan-1°-7°126 mm
Feb-5°85 mm
Mar-5°124 mm
Apr-2°101 mm
May131 mm
Jun15°77 mm
Jul19°10°74 mm
Aug19°82 mm
Sep14°74 mm
Oct10°135 mm
Nov-3°134 mm
Dec-5°123 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Tour of Monte Rosa?

The Tour of Monte Rosa is 164.8 km, and most hikers complete it in 9–10 days. Total elevation gain is 11406 m.

How difficult is the Tour of Monte Rosa?

It rates Expert on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 69 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 3326 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the Tour of Monte Rosa is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the Tour of Monte Rosa?

In Switzerland & Italy. The route starts near 46.023, 7.748 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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