> Cross into Italy at the Grand Saint Bernard Pass
> Sleep next to an alpine lake at 2,400 meters
> Hike Roman roads and remote border trails
Step into the high-alpine drama of Valais, where old pilgrim routes meet rugged Swiss beauty. The Tour du Saint Bernard is a 5-day loop full of spiritual history, wild trails, and cheese-fueled hut life. You'll hike from valley to valley, sleeping in places like the famous Hospice du Grand Saint Bernard, where silence and stone speak volumes.
This trek is made for hikers who want a deeper connection to the mountains. It’s not extreme, but it’s no walk in the park either. Expect long days, quiet trails, and views that make you stop mid-step. Some nights you’ll share stories over dinner, other times you'll prep your own in a hut kitchen — either way, the setting is hard to beat.
It’s the Alps stripped back to what matters: simple, soulful adventure on ancient trails. For those who like their hiking classic—with a twist of legend.
The Tour du Saint Bernard kicks off gently but steadily as you leave Orsières behind and head into the valley of Entremont. The first few kilometers follow the Dranse river upstream along a forested trail with peaceful views of the surrounding Alps. The route passes small hamlets like Rive Haute and Liddes, where you can grab a coffee or local snack before continuing the ascent.
As you near Bourg-Saint-Pierre, the trail becomes a bit steeper and wilder. You pass alpine meadows and cross wooden footbridges, with the valley narrowing and the peaks rising up on either side. Bourg-Saint-Pierre awaits at the top of the valley, a quiet and historic village nestled at 1,632 meters — a perfect stop to catch your breath and soak in the mountain atmosphere.
Not too hard, not too easy — a perfect warm-up stage to get into the rhythm of the Alps.
Today you head deeper into the mountains. From Bourg-Saint-Pierre, the trail follows an old pilgrimage route as it climbs steadily through the Val d’Entremont. You’ll pass along the shores of Lac des Toules, with the scenery growing more dramatic as you approach the Grand Saint Bernard Pass.
The final stretch zigzags across steep alpine slopes and ancient mule paths. In the distance, you’ll spot the Hospice du Grand Saint Bernard — a legendary landmark nestled at 2,469 meters. The atmosphere here is something special: raw mountain beauty, centuries of alpine hospitality, and a setting steeped in history.
A stage with character, where you truly feel like you’ve entered the heart of the Alps.
Today begins with a steady climb from the hospice onto a panoramic alpine trail. You’ll pass the stunning Lac de Fenêtre and enjoy sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the towering peaks of the massif along the way.
The high point of the day is the Fenêtre de Ferret (2,698 meters), a narrow and dramatic mountain pass between Switzerland and Italy. From there, a long descent leads you into Val Ferret, through quiet alpine meadows and rocky trails. You’ll finish the day in the charming village of La Fouly, surrounded by forests and peaks.
A rugged, rewarding stage full of high-mountain energy — this is the Alps at their wildest.
The trail leaves La Fouly quickly behind as you zigzag uphill through larch forest and alpine pasture. After a few tough switchbacks, you rise above the tree line and the views open up. In the distance: Mont de la Fouly and the jagged ridges that guard the Italian border.
As you reach the high balcony path beneath Clocher de Vouasse and Pointe de Revedin, the scenery becomes wilder and more remote. The final stretch to Cabane de la Tsisette is quieter, and the hut itself feels like a true mountain hideout, perched in a basin with views stretching down the valley.
This is a physical day with a real sense of reward: fewer people, bigger views, and a proper alpine atmosphere.
From Cabane de la Tsisette, the trail begins with a gentle descent through open alpine terrain. Early on, you'll follow a high ridge with sweeping views of the valley before diving into the forested slopes of Crête de Velle.
The path zigzags downhill through alpine meadows and traditional hamlets like Fornex and Les Moulins. You pass old chapels and water troughs, remnants of the route’s long pilgrim history. After reaching the valley floor, it’s a final push through shaded woodland paths to reach Orsières once again.
This last stage is a satisfying descent — scenic, quiet, and full of small surprises — the perfect way to close the loop.
