Summer Haute Route – Guided Hike from Chamonix to Zermatt

The Haute Route is one of the most spectacular treks, that links Chamonix to Zermatt, the Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. Starting at the foot of the Mont Blanc, this gorgeous route enables you to traverse an area with the greatest collection of 4’000 meter peaks in all the Alps.

Almost 160 kilometers, two countries, over 11’000 meters of elevation gain, 11 mountain passes, 8 valleys and countless breathtaking views of all the highest mountains of the Alps.

This trip is led by Celine Kahn, mountain leader.

What’s the plan?

Day 1: Chamonix

Welcome briefing and dinner with your guide at La Chaumière Mountain Lodge.

Accommodation: La Chaumière Mountain Lodge

• Shared room option: twin room with private bathroom
• Double room option: twin room with private bathroom

Day 2: Chamonix – Trient

Transfer to Montroc by train. Hike up on the Aiguillette des Posettes ridge to Col des Posettes, with stunning views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks. Possibility to have lunch or a coffee at Refuge du Col de Balme, which marks the border between France and Switzerland. Descent to the charming village of Trient where we have dinner and spend the night.

Tech. info: 17.7 km, 1’000 m up, 1’100 m down / 11 miles, 3’300 ft up, 3’600 ft down
Accommodation: Auberge du Mont Blanc

• Shared room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom
• Double room option: twin room with shared bathroom

Day 3: Trient – Arpette

Long climb to the stunning Fenêtre d’Arpette, an impressive narrow mountain pass, facing the Trient glacier, or hike along the high alpine pastures of Bovine, depending on the conditions. Both options are breathtaking! We finish the day at Relais d’Arpette, a mountain lodge located just above Champex village.

Tech. info: 12.9 km, 1’400 m up, 1’100 m down/ 8 miles, 4’600 ft up, 3’600 ft down
Accommodation: Relais d’Arpette

• Shared room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom
• Double room option: double room with shared bathroom

Day 4: Arpette – Cabane de Louvie

Short walk to Champex village. Bus transfer to Le Châble and cable car to Les Ruinettes. We start with a flat path along the Valais bisses (canals), then start the climb on the famous Sentier des Chamois (mountain goat trail), facing the Combins massif. Once we reach Col Termin, we start our descent to the beautiful Cabane de Louvie by Louvie lake, with a breathtaking view of the Grand Combin and the Mauvoisin reservoir. Dinner and night at Cabane de Louvie.

Tech. info: 13.6 km, 750 m up, 850 m down/8.5 miles, 2’500 ft up, 2’800 ft down
Accommodation: Cabane de Louvie

• Shared room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom
• Double room option: twin or double room with shared bathroom

Day 5: Cabane de Louvie – Cabane de Prafleuri

Difficult but stunning day!  We start with a climb to Col de Louvie. We then cross a landscape of barren rock with massive mountains, tumbling moraines, and drying glaciers and reach the second pass of the day, Col de Prafleuri. Descent to Cabane de Prafleuri for the night.

Tech. info: 12 km, 1’200 m up, 700 m down/ 7.5 miles, 4’000 ft up, 2’500 ft down
Accommodation: Cabane de Prafleuri

• Shared room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom (no shower)
• Double room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom (no shower)

Day 6: Cabane de Prafleuri – Arolla

Day with some easy sections and some challenging ones. Climb to Col des Roux and descent on the other side to walk along the giant Lac des Dix. Great views of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon ahead of us and climb to the second pass of the day, Col de Riedmatten before hiking down to the high village of Arolla, where we spend the night.

Tech. info: 17.7 km, 800 m up, 1’500 m down/ 11 miles, 2’600 ft up, 5’000 ft down
Accommodation: Hotel du Glacier

• Shared room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom
• Double room option: twin room with private bathroom

Day 7: Arolla – Cabane de Moiry

Private transfer to Mayens du Cotter, above Evolène. Ascent to Col de Torrent, offering us stunning panoramic views of the 4’000 meter peaks of Valais. From there we hike down to Moiry lake, and up again towards Moiry glacier to sleep at Cabane de Moiry, a hut perched above the glacier.

Tech. info: 14.5 km, 1’500 m up, 700 m down/ 9 miles, 5’000 ft up, 2’300 ft down
Accommodation: Cabane de Moiry

• Shared room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom
• Double room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom

Day 8: Cabane de Moiry – Zinal

The day starts with a descent from the hut back towards the lake, on the moraine. We traverse above the lake, all the way to the dam. The views are incredible all day. Climb to Sorebois pass and cable car down to Zinal. Dinner and night at a charming lodge in Zinal.

Tech. info: 11.2 km, 700 m up, 850 m down/7 miles, 2’300 ft up, 2’800 ft down
Accommodation: Auberge Alpina

• Shared room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom
• Double room option: twin or double room with shared bathroom

Day 9: Zinal – Gruben

After walking through the village, we climb in the woods until we reach a stunning panoramic trail that will take us all the way to the Forclettaz pass. We then hike down to the next valley and the first German-speaking one of our hike, Turtmanntal, and stay at Hotel Schwarzhorn.

Tech. info: 17.7 km, 1’400 m up, 1’250 m down/ 11 miles, 4’600 ft up, 4’100 ft down
Accommodation: Hotel Schwarzhorn

• Shared room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom
• Double room option: twin room with shared bathroom

Day 10: Gruben – Pension Edelweiss

Last pass of the Haute Route, the Augstbordpass. Varied route through woodlands, pastures and stony wilderness which offers stunning views again. We end in the village of St. Niklaus (cable car from Jungen to St Niklaus), and take a train to Zermatt. From Zermatt, one more little climb to stay at Pension Edelweiss, overlooking Zermatt and facing Breithorn and other high mountains.

Tech. info: 16 km, 1’550 m up, 1’050 m down/ 10 miles, 5’100 ft up, 3’500 ft down
Accommodation: Pension Edelweiss

• Shared room option: bed in a dorm with shared bathroom
• Double room option: twin or double room with shared bathroom

Day 11: Pension Edelweiss – Zermatt

Hike up to and along the Edelweis trail, which offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of Zermatt and its 4’000m peaks and glaciers: North face of Matterhorn, Breithorn, Liskamm… We then hike down to the moraine of the Zmutt glacier, before going through the charming Zmutt village. Return to Zermatt around 16:00.

Tech. info: 17.7 km, 850 m up, 1’200 m down/ 11 miles, 2’800 ft up, 4’000 ft down

Requirements

Very good physical condition needed, used to hiking several days in a row, with up to 19 km and 1’500 m of elevation gain per day. Training required.

Insurance

It is the participant’s responsibility to get health and accident insurances that cover mountain rescue, including extreme sports. Becoming a Rega patron is highly recommended (CHF 40 per year only for emergency medical assistance from the air).

Start and end

Meeting point

La Chaumière Mountain Lodge
322 Route des Gaillands, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
On Wednesday 14 August 2024 at 17:00

End

Zermatt, Switzerland
On Saturday 24 August 2024 around 16:00

Kit list

Day Clothing Essentials

• Hiking boots
• T-shirt
• Hiking trousers or shorts
• Fleece
• Down jacket
• Waterproof jacket
• Waterproof over trousers
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Warm hat
• Buff
• Gloves

Night Essentials

• Sleeping bag liner
• Lightweight towel
• Ear plugs
• Cash for drinks at the huts

Technical gear

• Hiking poles
• Hiking backpack (30-40L)
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Waterproof inner bags or bin bags
• Headlamp with spare batteries

F&B

• Water (min. 2L)
• Snacks

Pharmacy

• Sunscreen and lip protector
• Plasters and basic medicine

Pricing

The price for this event is CHF 2’000 for a bed in shared rooms, or CHF 2’200 for a bed in a twin or double room on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10.

Included in price

• 10 hiking days, guided by a mountain leader
• 10 nights of accommodation, both in hotels and mountain huts (shared rooms)
• Dinner from day 1 – day 10
• Breakfast from day 2 – day 11
• Transfers included in the itinerary above

Not included in price

• Transport to Chamonix on 14 August and from Zermatt on 24 August
• Luggage transfer (transfer of a luggage from Chamonix to Zermatt can be arranged for an additional cost)
• Lunches (possibility to buy packed lunches from all accommodations or to buy groceries along the way)
• Drinks and snacks

Group size

Min. 4 / Max. 8 participants

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