Walker's Haute Route (West)

If you want to enjoy the rewards of taking on one of the world’s great treks than you can’t go wrong with the Walker’s Haute Route. But you do need to be physically fit and as this is a strenuous high mountain trek should be happy navigating in poor conditions and have a head for heights.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

Long-Distance Trails, Alpine Walking

Minimum Age

The minimum age of this tour is 18 yrs. This is due to the remote nature of the route.

The Walker’s Haute Route is a tough trek with considerable ascent and descent on each day. We have rated this tour strenuous. This is a challenging high mountain trek and the weather can be poor so you should have previous high mountain experience and good navigation and mountain skills. As this is a self-guided trek you will be responsible for navigation, decision making and safety during your trip. You must have an excellent level of walking fitness and can negotiate challenging terrain. The route can be affected by large snowfields on the highest passes early and late season.

The terrain is mountainous, exposed, rocky and rough underfoot. There are several sections that include the use of fixed ropes and handrails to aid ascent/descent over, particularly tricky sections.

6 nights* accommodation are included in your trip. 4 Nights in 2 and 3-star hotels, 1 night in auberges (private rooms) 2 nights in mountain refuges (dorms). We carefully select small friendly establishments that offer great value, food and welcomes.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is not available to solo walkers. Single rooms are available on 4 nights if you require single rooms in your party.

Meals

6 breakfasts and 6 dinners are included (In Chamonix dinner is not included). Packed lunches are available from your accommodation (order the night before) or you can stop on the way. Allow about 10 - 15 CHF per day for lunch. Drinks are not included but available at all overnight accommodation.

The Walker’s Haute Route follows well-marked trails, although generally it is not marked as the WHR but rather to the next destination. The trail marking in Switzerland is particularly good. We supply you with detailed 1:50 000 Swiss Topo maps, a comprehensive guidebook and route suggestions for each day.

You will need to use your own experience to decide which route to choose each day and navigate the route from one overnight stop to the next. The Walker’s Haute Route does cross high mountain passes, snow can lie on the ground late into the summer and the weather can change quickly, with snow possible at any time of year. You should be able to navigate with a map and compass in poor visibility and be experienced in the mountains.

You can start your Walker’s Haute Route anytime between mid-July and the beginning of September. This short season is due to the weather and potential snow being on the trail. The is a chance of snow patches remaining into early July across the higher passes and the chance of the weather deteriorating into late September.

The last weekend of August sees Chamonix hosting the famous Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc August 28 to September 3 2023). We recommend avoiding the WHR at this time as the area is extremely busy, and most accommodations are full.

By Air: Geneva is the best airport for the Chamonix.  To get from Geneva to Chamonix you can catch a train or bus but the best option is a pre-booked shuttle. Chamexpress  or Mountain Dropoffs are both good and cost around €30 each way.  By Rail: TGV  to Saint-Gervais-Le Fayet and from here catch a regular train to Chamonix. More information on train times and schedules may be found on www.voyages-sncf.com From Zermatt take a train to Zurich which will take 3-4 hours with one change. You can also return to Geneva if you wish and this train journey takes about 3 hours. By Road: To get to Chamonix take highway A40-E25 Mont Blanc-Chamonix. More information at www.viamichelin.fr If you wish to return to Chamonix from Zermatt again you can check the Via Michelin website. Parking: In Chamonix, free parking at the Aiguille du Midi & the parking Planards (Montenvers station).

From Arolla regular buses via Les Hauderes connect to the railway at Sion. The journey to Geneva Airport takes just over 3h30. If you wish to return to Chamonix from Zermatt at the end of your trip the journey takes between 4h10 and 5h00.

Optional ski-lifts and transfers during the walk

You can use ski-lifts/cable cars to skip several of big ascents/descents during the trip. These sections include the Col de Balme, Le Châble to Les Ruinettes. If you wish to skip a stage completely it may be possible to do so using public transport or taxis. We provide you with a detailed transport guide including alternative transport options and timetables for each section. Ski lifts and optional transfers are not included in the package price.

Due to the remoteness of many of the overnight stops, bag transfer is not available. You will therefore need to carry your kit with you each day. You will need to bring a sleeping bag liner for when staying in dormitory-style accommodation. Bedlinen is provided when staying in private rooms.