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Via Alpina Red R116

HardValais/Wallis · Switzerland

GPX
Distance
11.6 km (7.2 mi)
Elevation gain
1,023 m (3,356 ft)
Typical time
3 hr 57 min
Difficulty
Hard
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
2,474 m (8,117 ft)

About Via Alpina Red R116

Via Alpina Red R116 is a 11.6 km hiking route in Valais/Wallis, Switzerland. It climbs roughly 1,023 m (3,356 ft) along the way, topping out at 2,474 m (8,117 ft). Most people take around 3 hr 57 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Treat it as a full day out: the ascent is relentless in places and there are few easy escape points.

This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come.

It runs point to point, so arrange transport at the far end or plan a return leg before you set off. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.

Snow lingers at this altitude well into the season, so the reliable window is short. With a high point around 2,474 m (8,117 ft), late June to mid September is when the route is normally clear. The nearest town of any size is Aosta, about 21.1 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by via-alpina.org.

In short, Via Alpina Red R116 suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Route map

Hard11.6 km1,023 m

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Elevation

Elevation profile

Ascent
+1,023 m
Descent
−180 m
High
2,474 m (8,117 ft)
Low
1,610 m (5,282 ft)
1506 m1774 m2042 m2310 m2578 m0.0 km2.8 km5.7 km8.5 km11 km

The route in detail

The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 55 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.

Highlights

  • High point of 2,474 m (8,117 ft)
  • Mountain
  • Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent

Know before you go

Best season
July to September
Waymarked
Not consistently
Surface
Mixed natural surface
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not accessible
Entrance fee
No fee recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Carry your own
Toilets
Not recorded
Mobile coverage
Patchy on the upper sections
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
70/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
51/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
52/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
34/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
19/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
62/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
  • Aim for july to september for the most reliable conditions.
  • Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
  • Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

  • This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
  • Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
  • At this altitude the weather can turn in under an hour, and temperatures drop fast once cloud arrives.
  • Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.

Safety

Emergency services in Switzerland are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
  • Weatherproof jacket
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Trekking poles for the descent
  • Offline map and compass
  • Head torch and spare battery
  • Extra warm layer
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
  • Microspikes if you are walking at the edges of the season

Photography

Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

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