Alpenpassenroute

A stafel is one or more huts that are used for cattle in summer. Gruben, the largest “stafel” in the valley, is located deep in the 10-kilometre-long Turtmann Valley. The cows are led from the valley to the foothills of the Alps, then to the lower, middle and upper stafel. The two final stafel are to be found on the way to the Meid Pass.

Sturdy Hérens cows graze here. This is a traditional breed of Valais cow with a fighting temperament. For this reason, Hérens cows are also used for the cow fights that are popular in Valais.

Right at the start, the trail leads steeply through the forest to the middle stafel. After slightly over an hour, you leave behind the highest forest in Europe. There is a fantastic view of the Turtmann Valley from here, dominated by the attractive Weisshorn with glaciers to its front. From the upper stafel, at an altitude of 2,334 metres, the climb becomes slightly gentler. The path leads past Meidsee lake and you reach the pass at an altitude of 2,789 metres after about three hours.

Crossing into the Val d'Annivers, the pass offers a great view. Hotel Weisshorn, the destination for this stage, is already in sight. The scenic descent of around 600 metres to Combavert takes just over an hour. The last part of the hike is on the Planet Trail, and this shows the solar system on a reduced scale. This is an instructive and entertaining section that shows you the dimensions of the universe. It is ideal for children and families.

After almost five hours, you reach Hotel Weisshorn, the destination for this stage, at an altitude of 2,337 metres. The hotel was built in 1882 with the aim of accommodating the first English mountaineers. Just seven years later, the wooden building was the victim of a fire. It was then rebuilt from stone in its current form, and was reopened in 1891. While staying at the hotel, Hergé is said to have designed some scenes from the comic book “Tintin in Tibet”.