AlpsAdventures — Attraction in Collombey-Muraz

I have just completed the Tour du Mont Blanc four day hike with Alps Adventures (via Skyhook).

This was my first guided hike as I am usually solo up the mountains/long hikes so I was concerned in the lead-up to the trip that I may hold everyone up (I was one of the oldest, not used to hot weather/high altitude plus I am very slow on descents due to dodgy eye).

However, due to the vast knowledge and support from our guide, Grigor Wallace, I got through it! Without making me feel like a hindrance, he ensured that I did not feel rushed on some tricky areas and was always offering his hand if he felt I may need it. His passion for what he does is palpable and he is an asset to Alps Adventures.

We were in safe hands with a good driver!

The tour is very well organised and Grigor would regularly update us with weather alerts, the route, terrain and gradient as well as share his knowledge about the Alps, its history/famous climbers, the flora and local delicacies. Great sense of humour too!

The refuges were comfortable and welcoming but do not expect hot water if arriving late to a couple of them. A small sacrifice for an adventure though.

I enjoyed all of the food and you did not go to bed hungry. One of our team was gluten free and I noticed that each refuge accommodated this no problem.

We experienced all weathers ranging from intense heat to freezing rain and gales so do listen to the advice and ensure that you are prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

It is an intense four days and, for me, challenging, but with a good guide, a great group of fellow hikers (some of whom will now be friends for life), spectacular views which literally take your breath away, I would say it was the best adventure I have ever had.

Thank you so very much to Alps Adventures and to Grigor Wallace – and thank you to Skyhook for popping up on my Facebook page last October and planting the Mont Blanc seed!

Go book it – you won’t...

I was inspired to do this trip as it was my grandmother‘s winter playground, she was born in Bern and she was fortunate enough to have skied in Zermatt every winter. I have always had a love of mountains, but I have never experienced an overnight backpacking hike in the mountains and sharing a dorm hut with people I did not know. I wanted this kind of experience at least once in my lifetime, hence the reason I chose the Matterhorn 4 day 3 night hike as it was a great combination of everything I wanted to experience. I was travelling solo and could not have wished for a better tour guide than Tom Goldstein and the wonderful group of other hikers who soon became like long lost friends, we all gelled instantly and we were all there for each other. Tom was such a caring observant guide who helped when help was needed, subtly guiding those with fears along the way, and helping them to overcome their fears of certain points ie the suspension bridge or a fear of narrow pathways at height. Because of his quiet and calm manner of dealing with these issues instead of hikers feeling fear he filled them with a great sense of achievement and pride, that is not a skill learnt but a natural ability of his. I have none of these fears but found it admirable to observe how he looked after everybody. The whole of this trip was a learning curve for me which I will treasure always, thanks to my wonderful companions and guide. Making new ‘like-minded’ friends, swimming in the ice-cold but exhilarating mountain lakes, I absolutely loved that experience, and having the most magnificent views of the wondrous Matterhorn in all if its natural glory and glowing like a beacon at its very best. Memories I will carry for my lifetime. Thank you. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat I...

Our group of 4 met up with 10 other walkers from around the world and formed a close knit group. Our group of 14 led by Tracey Wright hiked through 3 countries, over 3 mountain passes, trekking 60km and over 3600 metres climbed. We laughed and shared our stories along the way, through the highs and lows of the tour.

Day 1 - Started with a ‘gentle’ climb from Courmayeur through the Val Ferret Valley climbing to 2,025m of altitude to our base for the night, managing a rather quick 2 min shower and then enjoying a welcome 4 course meal at Rifugio Bonatti. Day 2 - An early start trekking from Rifugio Bonatti along the Grand Ferret Pass to our highest climb of 2,536m. Our descent took us down to La Fouly over glaciers and waterfalls where we overnighted at Relais D'Arpette. Day 3 - Another early start to trek from Champex-Lac up a challenging hike to Bovine, where we had the most incredible rosti washed down with a biere panache. We made our descent through Col de la Forclaz, which has been an important part of the Tour De France cycle race before overnighting in the pretty village of Trient Day 4 - A rather wet trek back into eFrance through Col De Balme, stopping for lunch at Les Ecuries de Charamillon (fantastic quiche and mulled wine) The weather was still horrendous so we caught a cable car for the final 5 minute descent into Le Tour.

Alps Adventures is a small local guiding company, based in Switzerland. Our fantastic guide was Tracey Wright and she was absolutely fab, really experienced and so knowledgeable of the Mountain range and such an asset to Alps Adventures!

Such a great trip we’d highly recommend - the views were insane! #skyhookadventures #AlpsAdventures #montblanc #TMB...