The Famous Haute Route – From Chamonix to Zermatt

The Haute Route is one of the most spectacular treks, that links Chamonix to Zermatt. Starting at the foot of the Mont Blanc, this route enables you to traverse an area with the greatest collection of 4000m peaks in all the Alps.

Trip led by Dave Norris, International Mountain Leader.

Details (Haute Route)

Day 1

Arrival in Chamonix, briefing, and dinner. Night at Hotel La Chaumiere.

Day 2

Transfer to Montroc. Hike to Trient via Col des Posettes and Col de Balme, with stunning views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks. Night at Auberge du Mont Blanc in Trient.

Technical information

18km, +1000m, -1100m

Day 3

Hike up to the stunning Fenêtre d’Arpette, or hike along the high alpine pastures of Bovine, depending on the conditions. Both options are breathtaking! Night at Relais d’Arpette.

Technical information

14km, +1200m, -1200m

Day 4

Short walk to Champex village. Transfer to Le Chable and cable car to Les Ruinettes. Gorgeous hike on the famous Sentier des Chamois all the way to Cabane de Louvie via Col Termin.

Technical information

10km, +800m, -700m

Day 5

Day of great variety, starting with stunning views of the Val de Bagnes and the Grand Combin before reaching Col Louvie at 2920m, followed by Col de Prafleuri. We cross a landscape of barren rock with massive mountains, tumbling moraines, and drying glaciers. Descent to Cabane de Prafleuri for the night.

Technical information

11km, +900m, -400m

Day 6

Day with some easy sections and other challenging ones. Great views of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon along the huge 5 km long Lac des Dix. Night at Hotel du Glacier in Arolla.

Technical information

20km, +900m, -1300m

Day 7

Transfer to Mayens du Cotter above Evolène. Ascension to Col de Torrent, then descent to Lac de Moiry, with dramatic views of the dam, the wild Val de Moiry, and its sparkling glacier. Hike down to the village of Grimentz before heading to St-Jean. Night at Gite de Saint-Jean.

Technical information

20km, +1000m, -1500m

Day 8

Transfer to St-Luc. Hike to Gruben via the Meidpass. At the saddle of the stony pass, with the Meidspitz to the North and the Pigne de Combavert on the South, gorgeous views of the Mont Blanc de Chelion, the Grand Combin, and even the Mont Blanc to the West. Descent to Gruben and night at Hotel Schwarzhorn.

Technical information

12km, +1200m, -1000m

Day 9

Last pass of the Haute Route, the Augstbordpass. The varied route through woodlands, pastures, and stony wilderness offers stunning views of high mountain peaks. 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 ascent to stay at Pension Edelweiss.

Technical information

19km, +1400m, -1100m

Day 10

Hike up to Hotel Trift where we can stop for a coffee and pastry. From there, we walk along the Edelweis trail, which offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of Zermatt and its 4000m: 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.

Technical information

15km, +900m, -1300m

Requirements

To hike the Haute Route, you need to be a very good hiker and have trained beforehand. You have to be used to long day hikes with 1000+ meters of elevation. In addition, you have to carry your backpack with everything you need for the duration of the event.

Pricing

The price of the event is CHF 1600.

What does the price include?

• 9 days of guided hiking of the Haute Route with an International Mountain Leader
• 9 nights of accommodation, both in hotels and mountain huts
• Dinner on day 1 / Breakfast, lunch and dinner from day 2 to day 9 / Breakfast and lunch on day 10
• Transfers included in the itinerary above

What does the price NOT include?

• Transport to Chamonix on day 1 and from Zermatt on day 10
• Drinks & snacks

Payment terms

Once registered, please pay a 50% deposit within 7 days. The balance is due by 20 July 2021.

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