Walker's Haute Route (West)

Tour Type:

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!

Activity:

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

Navigation

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.

Experience & Fitness

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 (1 night in Prafleuri payable locally)
• 6 Breakfasts
• 5 Dinners (Chamonix and Prafleuri not included)
• Detailed maps, information pack, route notes and guidebook
• Organisational assistance and backup

• Travel insurance (required)
• Overnight, breakfast and dinner at Prafleuri (payable locally)
• Travel to Chamonix and from Arolla
• Lunches (allow 10 to 15 CHF per day)
• Local transfers and ski lifts
• Drinks and snacks
• Personal equipment
• Luggage transfers
• Mountain rescue/emergency assistance

• Additional nights before, during or after the walk

When To Go

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.

Getting to the Start

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).

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.

Getting from the End

If you wish to return to Chamonix from Zermatt at the end of your trip the journey takes between 4h10 and 5h00.

Luggage Transfer

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. 

General Information

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is not available to solo walkers. Single rooms are available on 11 nights if you require single rooms in your party but there is a supplement payable. 

Meals

14 breakfasts and 11 dinners are included ( Chamonix, Prafleuri & Zermatt 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.

Baggage Transfer

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. If you have excess baggage with you, it is possible to send this from Geneva ahead of you to Zermatt by train. For more information, please have a look here.
 

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

Equipment

Our pre-departure information pack (and the supplied guidebook) have detailed advice and a kit list on what to take on the Walker’s Haute Route. This includes warm and waterproof gear, hats and gloves, a sleeping sheet and lots of other useful bits and bobs. Walking poles are recommended as the WHR is tough on the knees.