Two days off gave us an opportunity to enjoy the Monte Rosa Hut hike to the fullest. The weather forecast made us feel optimistic (Thursday sunny and Friday perfect weather till around 2 p.m. – that was the time we were aiming to be off the glacier).
We started from Furi up to Riffelberg through picturesque Glacier Garden way. The hike is what you are looking for when in Zermatt. Rocks, little river, forest. On the way you’re also passing through the hanging bridge just a bit up from Furi.
We made it to Riffelberg in really good time so decided to take a little break and then continued to Rotenboden. To Rotenboden you can take a train and make your life easier by making it a starting point of the hike.From there on the views are just breathtaking:
It is important to know that the Monte Rosa Hut hike is an alpine hike, so you have to be ready for some obstacles. Like this nice ladder:
Or what gave me chills and a bit of crisis for a moment:
This bridge that gets you on and off the glacier (you can also choose a ladder on the right side of the photo if you’re brave enough). We settled for the wooden bridge.
We were lucky enough since the glacier was in an amazing condition, meaning not too many crevasses and just easy to pass – crampons are recommended though!
After you cross the glacier part it’s on and off about hiking on rocks – better take good mountain boots!
At one point you see the Monte Rosa Hut and it seems so close, but… it’s not…Still quite a long hike up. Passing the lakes and the views make it up for all the struggle though.
When we’ve reached the hut it was dinner time. Fine 4 course dinner made us almost fall asleep at the table. Monte Rosa hut is a modern hut, you get your own table, but still there’s place to socialize with all other fellow hikers/ climbers.
Next day we decided to get up early to make it off the glacier before the rain comes. To our surprise it started to rain early and we had to turn our full speed mode on not to freeze ourselves. We reached Rotenboden in 3 hours, wet, but happy to see the sun coming and still excited about our little adventure. So we made our way down through Findeln back to Zermatt (and yes, stopped for a rösti in Findlerhof ).
Practical information:
Starting point: Furi (1867 m)
Target: Monte Rosa Hut (2883 m)
Tip: Crampons, hiking poles will make your life easier. Alpine hike for sure footed hikers and people who are not scared of heights (ladder, bridge that leads to glacier might put you off). Good idea: do it in 2 days and stay overnight.
Book here: Monte Rosa Hut
Text: Agnieszka Wajs
