Haute Route Barrhorn to Bishorn (4143m)

This beautiful high alpine tour goes from the Mattertal to the Val d'Anniviers in Valais, Switzerland and includes the ascent of the 4.143m high Bishorn. This trip is perfect as part of your self-organized holiday in the Swiss Alps. You can leave your car in the valley and the meeting point and end point are easily accessible by public transport. The huts are very pleasant and perfectly organized and the views breathtaking!

Day 1

Meeting point is in St-Niklaus in the Mattertal in the morning. It is possible to book the night before at our regular hotel in the Mattertal, where you can leave the car all week. Another possibility is to park your car at the railway station of Visp, from where you take the train to St-Niklaus. After a wonderfully flat hike in the mountain slope above the valley, the impressive steep climb to the Topali hut (2674 m) starts. The route winds through the steep cliffs via paths towards the efficient hut built in 2003. Climb about 1500m, hike 5.5 hours. Dinner and overnight in the hut of the SAC (Swiss Alpine Club).

Day 2

We leave around sunrise to the small Schölli glacier. After crossing the glacier, we arrive at the foot of the Schöllijoch (3343m). From here follows a fairly steep climb with occasional ladders and iron steps and braces. When we arrive at the kid we continue our climb along the south ridge towards the top of the Üssers Barrhorn (3610m). From the summit we enjoy the phenomenal view of almost all Valais four-thousanders. We descend via the side of the Schöllijoch to the Turtmannhut (2523m SAC). Climb about 1000m, descend 1160m, hike 6 hours. Dinner and overnight in the cabin.

Day 3

After breakfast, we walk briefly over the Brunegg glacier and then climb the Adlerflüe (2913m) via a via ferrata. Then we follow the Turtmann glacier along the north bank and via the Col de Tracuit (3227m) we reach the new Tracuit hut (3256m). We have just left the German-speaking (Zermatt Tütsch dialekt) Turtmanntal and are now in the French-speaking part of Valais. From the cabin we enjoy the beautiful view and take enough rest for the long, hard day of tomorrow. About 1000m climbing, 320m descending, 5 hours hiking. Dinner and overnight in the cabin.

Day 4

Even before sunrise, so after dark, we leave for the stately Bishorn (4153m), this week's high point. A steep climb over the not so steep Turtmann Glacier and we are at the top. We look directly at the impressive Weisshorn (4506m)! The climb starts fairly flat and then gradually ascends to the saddle. The summit climb is about a short, steeper bone. However, the top itself is spacious enough for a group photo of the whole group! This four-thousander is in the pocket!

We descend again towards the hut (where you can leave a toothbrush etc) for a well-deserved and much needed lunch. Now the last but rather long descent follows over rocky paths, pastures and later through the forest to Zinal in the Val d'Anniviers.

900 Hm up and 2480 Hm down, 9 hours. The beer will taste good!

From Zinal we go by post bus (about 1 hour) to Sierre, from where you can return by train to the hotel in the Mattertal or Visp.