Tochuhorn (periplo del) dal Passo del Sempione

I think the most appropriate description for this route would be: "recommended for those who don't mind carrying their bikes a bit on the uphill, those who don't mind a few short sections on foot on the downhill, and those who are content to do only 700 meters uphill and 2000 meters downhill!"

The forecast called for thunderstorms coming in the early afternoon and so, having no other days available and not wanting to stay home, I choose this ride done a decade ago. We drive down to Brig, go up to Simplon by Postal (best to book for bikes) so as to shorten the otherwise long climb and enjoy the descent, which is quite challenging at the top anyway.

Start and follow the now classic ascent that first passes near the Hopschusee pond and from the Hopsche alpine pasture and leads to the Nanzlicke Hussers. Immediately after the alpine pasture there are a few meters of shoulder biking and then the trail becomes quite rideable (even by MTB with good excellent leg) or at the limit you push merrily. After a steeper section you enter a nice valley where you cycle back to a crossroads. Here you turn right (East) and pass on the flat to the small lake of Unire Rossusee, past which, with a short descent, you reach a hut at elevation 2432. In good weather the view of the Oberland mountains is beautiful.

Here you follow the trail marked with blue-white-white signs. Watch out for the scree, some sections can be done in the saddle, others could also be done but a fall, even a stupid one in the midst of those boulders, could be obnoxious. Yesterday we also crossed a snowfield, which depending on the season might be even bigger or not there at all. You get below a very steep slope, about 150 meters of elevation gain, to be climbed bike on shoulder with a few switchbacks. You get off the hill, descend to the opposite slope and always with bike on your side you go down another scree slope with a "paved" path. You climb up briefly and finally reach the beginning of the descent.

The first part is quite challenging with a few exposed sections, a few passages to be done on foot depending on ability until you reach a nice grassy plain of the Gälmji pass. Route north and continue always very challenging siuterreno to the alpine pastures of Ober and Unner Nessultal. From the second group of beautiful huts follow the signs to the Wuzukapälli. On the level you first reach a stream to cross and then an easy path the slightly downhill that runs alongside one of the countless Valais bisse (small water channels). There are a couple of possible detours; we kept to the higher path to make more ground. From the Little Chapel follow the downhill trail that cuts across a mule track several times and then descends to Brig.