Aiguilles Rouges d'Arolla

Mountains High peaks in Valais popular with mountaineers

A group of high-altitude peaks above Arolla in Valais, used by mountaineers for glacier routes, classic alpine climbs and multi-day itineraries.

Main image

The Aiguilles Rouges d’Arolla are a group of steep peaks above the village of Arolla in the Valais canton of Switzerland, forming part of the Pennine Alps. They are noted for sharp ridges and glaciated terrain.

The area offers routes for mountaineers and experienced trekkers, with access to glaciers and high alpine passes. Peaks and ridges present technical rock and ice challenges and are commonly combined with stays in alpine huts for multi-day traverses.

These summits are natural features of the Alpine orogen and have been explored and climbed since the development of alpine mountaineering; local routes and huts developed to support access over the 19th and 20th centuries.

The group rises above the village of Arolla in Valais, southern Switzerland, and is set within a high-alpine landscape of glaciers and valleys characteristic of the Pennine Alps.

  • Mountaineering and trekking: Forms the steep, rocky skyline above the village of Arolla and is used as a base for mountaineering and high-alpine trekking in the Pennine Alps.
Aiguilles Rouges d'Arolla
46.0551, 7.4335

How to Get to Aiguilles Rouges d'Arolla #

Arolla is reached by road from Sion or Martigny in Valais; from the village trailheads and mountain huts give access to the climbing routes. Local bus services connect to nearby towns in the summer season.

Tips for Visiting Aiguilles Rouges d'Arolla #

  • Hike early to avoid afternoon heat and to catch good light on the glacier moraines.
  • The Aiguilles Rouges offers lower-altitude trails with dramatic views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks; bring a camera with a telephoto lens.
  • Combine routes with alpine refuges in Arolla for multi-day traverses.

Best Time to Visit Aiguilles Rouges d'Arolla #

Group of sharp peaks near Arolla in the Valais; popular for alpine climbing, glacier approaches, and high-mountain trekking, best in summer through early autumn.

Summer (hiking/climbing)
June-September · 5-18°C
Trails are mostly snow-free; best time for non-technical climbs and long hikes.
Late spring (ski touring)
April-May · -5-5°C
Snow still present at higher elevations; suitable for ski-mountaineering with avalanche awareness.
Autumn
September-October · -5-10°C
Cooler, good for photography and solitude but expect earlier storms.

Weather & Climate near Aiguilles Rouges d'Arolla #

Climate

Aiguilles Rouges d'Arolla's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -14°C to 6°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
AugustJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
23°
Warmest Month
-29°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-13° -9°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
7.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -9°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-14° -9°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -14°C. The wettest month with 42 mm of rain, partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

37 Poor

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-14° -9°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
6.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

37 Poor

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-12° -7°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
6.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.0
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-7° -2°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

32 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -4°C. The driest month with just 29 mm, partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

43 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-5° -1°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-9° -5°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-12° -7°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

32 mm
Rainfall
7.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

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