Trek the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt

Take on Haute Route, one of Europe’s toughest and most iconic long-distance trails. Experience the remote wonder of the Alps as you trek from Chamonix to Zermatt through traditional villages and past the famous Matterhorn.

Your hassle-free adventure includes:

• 10 days trekking through
• 3 nights’ accommodation in mountain huts
• Half board meals in huts (breakfast and 3-course dinner)
• Packed lunch every day
• 6 nights’ accommodation in a hotel/guest house/B&B in Courmayeur
• Breakfast and 3-course dinners during those 6 nights
• All transport

Perfect for: Experienced hikers looking to tackle some of Europe’s toughest peaks. Good physical fitness is a must.

Day 1: Arrival and Trek to Trient

Meet your guides at your accommodation in Chamonix. Hop in the mini and make your way to Argentière, where you’ll start the ascent to the Col de Balme. Follow the trail through the forest and over Aiguillette des Possettes’ summit, which has great views of Mont Blanc and Switzerland.

Head towards the Tete de Balme that straddles the French – Swiss border, before reaching the picturesque village of Trient, where you’ll send the night.

14.5km hiking, ascending 1210m, descending 1142m

Day 2: Explore the Fenêtre d'Arpette’s Wild Pass

Trek from Trient to the Fenêtre d'Arpette, a wild mountain pass known for its untouched beauty, through to the Arpette Valley. Spend the night in Champex-lac, a small Swiss mountain resort with some shopping facilities.

16.5km hiking, ascending 1061m, descending 864m

Day 3: Easier Trek Towards Le Chable

Wake up a little later than usual, tuck into breakfast and start hiking towards Le Chable, this stage’s final stop. Pass quaint houses, old farms and quiet villages as you make your way to Orsieres. After a short climb to reach Le Chable, you’ll reach your hotel in the afternoon.

18.7km hiking, ascending 1069m, descending 1055m

Day 4: Snowy Trek to the Cabane de Prafleuri

Wake up bright and early. Take the cable car from Le Chable up to Verbier, a well-known Swiss ski and mountain-bike resort. From here, you’ll reach the outer edge of the Mont Fort glacier, the start of today’s trek. Walk along the Col de Louvie before traversing a high circuit surrounded by glaciers and serrated rock faces. Keep going to the Cabane de Prafleuri, a mountain hut where you’ll stay overnight.

16.4km hiking, ascending 907m, descending 1145m

Day 5: Mont Blanc de Cheillon and the Pigne d'Arolla

Today you’ll pass the impressive Lac des Dix dam, before climbing up the Col de Riedmatten in between the Val d'Hermence and the Val d'Arolla. Once in Arolla, you’ll rest up and recover in a nice guest house/hotel.

17.8km hiking, ascending 978m, descending 1629m

Day 6: See the world from 3000m up in the Col de Torrent

One of the toughest days so far. Take the bus from Arolla to La Sage. Then, walk toward the Col de Torrent, which stands at just below 3000m above sea level. Then descend to the Val de Moiry, past the Lac the Moury, where you can stop for a rest, before continuing down the track towards Zinal. Arrive at the Corne de Sorebois then take the gondola down to Zinal, where you’ll lay your head.

10.9km hiking, ascending 632m, descending 986m

Day 7: Panoramic Views of 4000m peaks

Trek from Zinal towards Anniviers, where you’ll see delightful mountain villages as you walk up the Col de la Forcletta and the famous Turtmanntal. Here you’ll see the first of the 4000m peaks, such as those in the Matterhorn Valley. You’ll make your way through meadows and farmland, before settling in for the night in Gruben.

22km hiking, ascending 1925m, descending 1904 meters

Day 8: Ascend Augstbord Pass

One the most exciting itineraries of the trip. Ascend the Augstbord pass before reaching the quintessential Swiss Alps village, St. Niklaus, where you’ll get cosy in a warm hotel.

17.5km hiking, ascending 1439m, descending 1277 m

Day 9: Explore Europahütte

For the penultimate day, you’ll get a bus from St. Niklaus to Gasenried, where you’ll begin your approach of the famous Europahütte. Here you’ll have one of the greatest views of the Matterhorn Valley and the Matterhorn, as it follows you as you hike towards tonight’s accommodation: Hotel La Reserve.

17.8km hiking, ascending 1208m, descending 1925m

Day 10: Final Day and Trek to Zermatt

On your final day, you’ll walk a trail that hugs the Matterhorn before finishing up in the tiny, lovely mountain village of Zermatt. This is where your trip ends.

18.4km hiking, ascending 1147m, descending 984m

Note: This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, and weather conditions and forecasts.

You’ll stay in a range of mountain huts, hotels and B&Bs in small towns and remote mountain villages. Your hosts have kindly listed the following places as your accommodation:

• Day 1: Refuge le Peuty (Trient)
• Day 2: Pension en Plein Air (Champex)
• Day 3: Hotel in Le Châble or Cabane du Mont Fort
• Day 4: Cabane de Prafleuri
• Day 5: Hotel du Glacier (Arolla)
• Day 6: Hotel de La Sage (La Sage)
• Day 7: Hotel de la Poste (Zinal)
• Day 8: Hotel Schwarzhorn (Gruben)
• Day 9: Hotel La Reserve (St. Niklaus) or Europahütte

Please note that you’ll mainly be staying in dormitories that have half-board. There is an option for private accommodation (double room with en-suite bathroom). They can be booked for a supplement on the sixth and seventh night, depending on availability. It costs 350EUR per person for private rooms, while private single rooms cost 475.00 EUR.

The Swiss Alps is home to traditional villages, glacial lakes and over 40 4000m high peaks. It’s an adventurer’s playground and is well-known for its snow sports and hiking opportunities. The Haute Route is one of the best; while it doesn’t require any technical gear, such as crampons or harness, it is physically tolling. You’ll be surrounded by stunning landscapes, desolate peaks and snowy summits for the duration of your adventure. In addition to its beautiful surroundings, there is also a bounty of cultural and culinary delights to discover.

Chamonix at 08:00

Your adventure will begin at 08:00 when you’ll be picked up by your host from your hotel in Chamonix. You should arrive any time the day before the start date, and book a hotel of your choice.

We recommend you fly into Geneva Airport (GVA), Milan Airport (LIN) or Zurich Airport (ZRH).

Zermatt at 17:00

Your adventure ends in Zermatt at 17:00, after which you are free to depart on your onwards travel.