Italian Haute Route

Overview

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Introduction

Read about the Italian Haute Route in Outdoor Enthuisast Magazine

Lovingly known as the “Spaghetti Tour”, this glaciated trek circumnavigates the Monte Rosa Massif, crossing from Switzerland into Italy and back. Our 7-day itinerary starts and finishes at our fabulous hotel in Zermatt. You also spend a night in the Margherita Hut, which is located at 4,554m on the summit of Signalkuppe. It is the highest refugio in the Alps and the highest building in Europe.

The Italian Haute Route a good progression for those who have completed the Chamonix – Zermatt Haute Route. You’ll have the opportunity to climb some technically easy 4,000m summits, including Piramide Vincent (4,215m) and for the very fit, Balmenhorn (4,167m). You may also climb Ludwigshohe (4,341m) if conditions allow. These summits are possible as we have a maximum guiding ratio of 1:4.

What next?

On completion of this course, you might consider the Oberland Traverse or Saas 4,000ers courses.

Start point: Zermatt, Switzerland

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Possible Mountain Routes

Breithorn (4,164m)
The Breithorn offers some excellent climbing at a reasonable standard; ease of access via the Klein Matterhorn lift and a straightforward descent ensures its popularity. The South-South-West Flank is the ordinary route (F), which can be easily climbed as part of a satisfying traverse of the mountain. The route is on snow, with a stunning summit ridge.

Piramide Vincent (4,215m) and Balmenhorn (4,167m)
Located entirely within Italy, you'll ascend the glacier to the Gnifetti hut (3,647m). From here you follow easy-angled snow slopes to reach a flat area then continue across the plateau towards the southwestern edge of the Piramide Vincent. You then climb up the Lys glacier, first diagonally on the left, along a steep slope, then continue on more moderate slopes. Eventually you reach the snowy valley of the Balmenhorn. You leave the main track at the Col del Lys and follow moderate slopes towards the Vincent Pass (4,088m). Just before it you join the northwest side of Vincent. The final part of the route becomes steeper as you get towards the summit.

Typical Programme

Day 1:	Saturday. Meet at the course base at 7pm. Briefing on the week's activities in the evening. Overnight hotel.
Day 2:	Sunday. In the morning you'll take the Klein Matterhorn cable car to Trockenersteg (2,939m), from where you'll walk to the Teodulo Hut (3,317m). In the afternoon you'll practice ice axe, crampon and roping up skills on the Theodul Glacier.
Day 3:	Monday. Return to Trockenersteg and take the Klein Matterhorn lift to 3,883m. From here you will climb the Breithorn (4,164m), possibly the ‘easiest’ 4,000m peak in Switzerland, then descend to the Schwarztor Glacier to reach the Ayas Hut (3,440m), which is located in Italy.
Day 4:	Tuesday. You'll have an early start to descend to the Plan di Verra in the Ayas valley, before challenging terrain traversing a huge boulder field and loose scree to cross the Passo di Bettolina (3,100m). From here you descend to Stafal and take the cable car to Gabi Alp, before the short walk to the Gabiet Hut (2,375m).
Day 5:	Wednesday. In the morning you'll walk to the Mantova Hut (3,498m), which gives you time to in the afternoon to climb the Piramide Vincent (4,215m), and for the very fit, the Balmenhorn (4,167m. Piramide Vincent is the most southern 4,000m peak of the Monte Rosa massif.
Day 6:	Thursday. In the morning you’ll climb up the glacier to the Lisjoch col. From here there may the chance to climb Ludwigshöhe (4341m), if there is time and weather/conditions are good. You’ll then head north-east to Signalkuppe and the Margherita Hut (4,554m).
Day 7:	Friday. In the morning you can climb the Zumsteinspitze (4,563m) before descending the Grenz Glacier to the superb Monte Rosa Hut (2,795m).
Day 8:	Saturday. On your last day you'll cross the Gornergrat Glacier and then walk up to the train at Rotenboden, from where you'll take the Gornergrat Railway to Zermatt. Overnight hotel.
Day 9:	Sunday. Dispersal. Breakfast will be provided on the last morning before you leave the course.

Further Information

Find out more about our Guides and Ratios, Alpine Grading and Equipment... read more

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the course or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
Sat 11 Jul – Sun 19 Jul 2026	Zermatt		Available Book now »
Head of Course Hannah Burrows-Smith 1 more required	£2,395
Sat 3 Jul – Sun 11 Jul 2027	Zermatt		Available Book now »
	£2,395

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Group size: 3 – 12 people.

Single room supplement: £200

For comparison, this course starts from £299 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

What the price includes

• 2 nights' hotel accommodation in Zermatt on a twin-sharing, half-board basis
• 6 nights' mountain hut accommodation in a shared dormitory bunk, half-board basis
• 7 days guiding with a qualified IFMGA Mountain Guide. Ratio 1:4 maximum
• Transport (by public means, private hire vehicle, minibus or guides' cars) to fulfil the course programme
• Group mountaineering equipment such as ropes and other technical equipment
• Ice axes, crampons, harnesses & helmets, when booked in advance

What the price does not include

• Travel to/from Zermatt
• Lunch
• Cable cars, mountain railways and mechanical uplift (estimated cost £80 - £100 with Swiss Card)
• Personal climbing equipment and clothing (including boots, which can be hired locally)
• Mountaineering and travel Insurance

Please note that the costs for mechanical up-lift are not included in the overall course cost because these can vary, depending on the weather and routes selected. This means that we are not restricted by a budget. Also, if we spend less on up-lift than expected, you make the saving rather than us.

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Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• ‘Given the altitude, this is a tough trek that should not be under estimated. It was a great route up down and back over the mountains with some excellent summits along the way. AB.’ Italian Haute Route, Aug '16

Leader Reports

• Italian Haute Route - August 2025
  “Thank you to Mick Peakman for sending us this report. For a self-declared spaghetti hater, choosing a trek which is commonly known as the 'Spaghetti Tour' would, on the face of it, seem rather odd, however, spaghetti...”
  report added 27/Aug/25
• Italian Haute Route - 13 to 20 July 2019
  “Down in Zermatt from a successful Italian High Level Route, with Arwyn, David and Mark. We began the journey with a first Alpine 4000m peak for Arwyn, the Breithorn 4164m, descending to the Gandegg hut. Overnight and into the...”
  report added 19/Jul/19

Travel & Venue

Fly to Geneva or Zurich. For Zermatt, you can travel from the airport using the efficient Swiss Rail network (travel time from Zurich is 3.5 hours, Geneva is 4 hours). Plan you journey at www.sbb.ch.

Valley accommodation is in the superb Hotel Aristella. The accommodation is provided on a twin-share, half-board basis. A single room supplement is payable should you want to have a room to yourself.