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Haute Route – Chamonix to Zermatt

Price £1500 or 1950€

A classic and historic trail, traversing some of the highest country accessible to walkers in the Alps. A walk between two of the world's most famous mountains; Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. We access a great variety of walking terrain climbing over high mountain passes using ancient trails. Some of the terrain is rugged and remote, scattered with glacial lakes and moraine, but we also walk through pleasant green valleys, flower-strewn meadows and a series of Swiss villages. We have excellent views of many of the 4000m classics as the Haute Route (the High Level Route) traverses the northwest slopes of the Pennine Alps where glacial valleys cut deep into the range but are all linked by relatively easy passes. Consequently there is plenty of up and down!

Day 1 Arrival in Chamonix Valley

On the evening before we start our walk we will meet you in your hotel in the Chamonix Valley to brief you on the trip and answer any last minute questions.

Day 2 Chamonix to Col de Montets

We begin our walk with an easy valley warm up to the Flégère cable car in Les Praz where we gain 800m of ascent through forest. We have increasingly extensive views of the Mont Blanc massif, glaciers and Aiguilles Rouges. We also gain our first views of the Mer de Glace glacier, with the Grand Jorasses (one of the great alpine north faces) beyond. We then continue up to the Lac Blanc basin at 2350m. The lake sits below the impressive 'Aiguilles Rouges' a popular rock climbing area. We traverse the rocky ridge line slowly descending to the Col de Montets and to our first nights accommodation. La Boerne is an old farm building converted into traditional hut-style accommodation, a museum in itself. Ascent 450m.

Day 3 Col du Montets to Trient

We leave La Boerne and head up the Possettes ridge towards the Col de Balme, our first alpine pass at 2191m. It was here that Charles Dickens penned a letter describing the stunning beauty of the mountains. As we leave the pass we also leave France and move into Switzerland. We descend steeply towards the hamlet of Le Peuty and on to Le Trient. Ascent 900m.

Day 4 Trient to Champex

From Trient to the beautiful village of Champex-le-Lac we have two choices which are fitness and weather dependant. We either climb high over the Fenêtre d'Arpette, at 2665m, with amazing views of the Trient glacier its' seracs and crevasses in detail, or we take the lower traverse on the Bovine route through meadows, which also brings us to the lakeside village of Champex. Ascent 1400m.

Day 5 Champex to Verbier

Today we have an easier day. We are transferred from Champex to Verbier where we can take time to shop and sight-see in the morning. After lunch in Verbier we will take the cable car up this famous ski area and then walk to our accommodation for the night at the Cabane du Mont Fort at 2457m where we have stunning views of the Mont Blanc Massif. Ascent 300m.

Day 6 Cabane du Mont Fort to Cabane de Prafleuri

Today we cross 3 different mountain passes. Including, the Col de Pra Fleuri which is the highest point of our trek at 2965m. It is a demanding day, but worthwhile as we gain outstanding panoramic views from the Sentier des Chamois. The route is entirely above the tree-line crossing glacial debris and there is some exposure. The landscape is the made up of the raw remains of the receding glaciers. Ascent 950m.

Day 7 Cabane de Prafleuri to Arolla

Another big day, we start early from the Pra Fleuri and start up to the Col des Roux. We gain expansive views and see the Lac des Dix, our next stop, which follows a walk down and through lush alpine meadows. In the distance the pyramid of Mt Blanc de Cheilon rises beyond. The route crosses the Col de Riedmatten where we get our first distant glimpse of the Matterhorn before continuing on down to Arolla for the night. We are truly in the heart of the French Swiss alps. Ascent 1350m.

Day 8 Arolla to Grimentz

We transfer a short way to the lovely hamlet of Les Haudéres where we start our walk to the Col du Tsaté at 2868m. We walk through small alpine settlements and grassy meadows and up to where we have views to beautiful snowy peaks of the Zinal valley. From here we descend steeply down to the foot of the Glacier du Moiry and on to the Lac de Moiry with its milky green waters. We then transfer to Grimentz for the night. Ascent 1080m.

Day 9 Rest Day in Grimentz

A restful day spent shopping and relaxing in Grimentz.

Day 10 Zinal to Gruben

We leave Grimentz and transfer to Zinal and begin our final 3 days walk into Zermatt . We climb up from Zinal to the col at Forcletta alt 2874m. The Forcletta leads into the Turtmanntal valley and the first German-speaking village of our walk. Gruben, known as Meiden, is the only village in this valley and only occupied in the summer. Our views are endless, we have several famous 4000m peaks around us including the Weisshorn 4506m, Bishorn 4135m, Ober Gabelhorn 4063m, Dent Blanche 4357m and the Zinalrothorn 4221m. Ascent 1200m.

Day 11 Gruben to St Niklaus

Today we head for our final pass, the Augstbordpass at 2894m. The descent from the pass leads to the lip of the deep trench of the Mattertal valley and presents us with yet again another magnificent mountain panorama, with Dom 4545m, the highest mountain completely in Switzerland, opposite. The route passes down through Jungen, an isolated mountain farming village, before reaching the valley floor. St. Niklaus is a charming village with narrow alleyways, slate roofs and cobbled streets. Ascent 1100m.

Day 12 Randa to Zermatt

We begin our final day into Zermatt with a short train ride to Randa. We start up towards the Ottovan hut and then along the Europaweg. This new ‘super path' between Grächen and Zermatt is truly a high-level trail that averages 2000m in elevation. We have continually expansive views along the route as the Matterhorn and town of Zermatt are unveiled. Ascent 800m.

Day 13 Departure

Today is departure day.

Price

What’s included:- half board accommodation in a 2** hotel, or similar, and half board accommodation in any mountain inns.  The guide's fees and expenses, trip organisation, daily transportation of luggage from hotel to hotel (except for the two nights in the mountain inns), cable car fees, the train and bus fares.

What’s not included:- flights, insurance and transfers from Geneva (but we can advice on the best options), lunch and drinks.

Accommodation

Half board accommodation is in 2** hotels based on two people sharing. A single room supplement maybe available on request. The above itinerary does include three nights in mountain huts where accommodation is dormitory style which is common in the mountains. Many good friends are made this way and many of our guests believe the high mountain refuges are among the best locations when it comes to enjoying the mountains.

Options

There are a number of different options for doing the Haute Route from 8 days upwards, depending on how many days you want to spend and also how often you might want a rest day. Some people prefer to do a demi Haute Route travelling from Chamonix to Grimentz, or from Grimentz to Zermatt .

Further Information

Our starting point at Chamonix is easily reached by airport transfer, car, train and bus from Geneva airport. It is a drive of approximately 1 hour 15 mins. More information on how to reach Chamonix at www.chamonix.com From Zermatt you can reach both Geneva airport or your starting point at Chamonix by rail. Details on train times to Geneva airport at www.sbb.ch Please do not hesitate to get in touch to chat through the details.

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