Tour de Matterhorn

Stage 9: Rifugio Peruccah-Vuillermoz – Breuil-Cervina

9/10 We left the Rifugio Peruccah-Vuillermoz at 8:10a and crossed over the dam below the rifugio, then traversed the rocks below with the help of some chains, before traversing a short distance to the little red Bivouac Manenti (2806m – 9206ft). The trail then passed a cave in the cliffs, before continuing down past a beautiful cascading waterfall to a flat viewpoint by a big cairn. Ahead lay the artificial Lago de Cignana. We followed the trail which soon became a track down to the Alpe di Cignana (2298m – 7539ft). From there we climbed through the pasture and along a farm track to the Finestra di Cignana (2442m – 8009ft) (9:40a). A short distance past the Finestra we rounded a corner and were treated to our first view of the Matterhorn (4478m – 14,692ft). From here we followed the path on a long gradually descending traverse northeast.

All too soon the trail began a series of switchbacks down through meadows and larch forests to a junction at Monteau. We took the trail which lead down through pastures past a water source to a strange open area of earthworks, where there is a water fountain. From there we walked back into the woods and descended to a bridge and the main road at Perreres (1837m – 6026ft) (11:30a). Here we stopped for a beer before catching the bus into Breuil-Cervina (2006m – 6581ft) (12:30p). We spent the nght in a fine little hotel and rested for our final leg of the Tour de Matterhorn the following day.