Walker's Haute Route (East)

The eastern section of the Walker’s Haute Route is a tough and extraordinary hike through some of Switzerland’s finest scenery. You must be physically fit, and as this is a Strenuous high mountain trek, you should be very comfortable navigating in poor conditions and have a head for heights. With overnight stops in remote locations and no luggage transfer service available, you’ll have the chance to connect with nature as you carry your essentials daily, making every moment of your journey memorable.

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 in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

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

Long-Distance Trails, Alpine Walking

The minimum age for this tour is: 18 Years

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. The daily elevation gain is substantial and over the course of 13 days of hiking you will gain approx. 12,000m/39,370ft.  Therefore you must have an excellent level of hiking fitness and be capable of negotiating challenging terrain at high altitude. The route can also 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.

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.

5 nights accommodation in 2 and 3-star hotels,1 night in an auberge (private rooms/shared bath) and 1 night in a mountain hut (in a mixed-sex dorm). If you choose the variation via Cabane de Moiry, you will spend another night in a mountain refuge in a shared dormitory.

We carefully select small, friendly establishments that offer great value, food, and a warm welcome. The accommodation we normally use is detailed on our website, but we may use alternative accommodation of the same or better standard depending on availability.

Solo Travlers & Single Rooms

This trip is not available to solo travelers. Single rooms are available on 7 nights if you require single rooms in your party.

Extra Nights 

If you have some extra time, we suggest adding a few additional days to your itinerary. We recommend extending your stay in the following locations:

Zinal - Taking a rest day in Zinal is highly recommended if you have the opportunity—your legs will thank you for the chance to recover and recharge!

Zermatt - Indulge yourself in a unique blend of luxury and exclusivity, all set against the stunning backdrop of the traditional Swiss Alps, and of course, the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic mountains in the world, deserves more than a fleeting glimpse. An extra day means you can catch it at different times — early morning alpenglow, golden hour, or a clear blue-sky afternoon — since clouds often obscure it for part of the day. 

Meals

8 Breakfasts and 7 three-course dinners are included (not Zermatt). 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 accommodations.

The Walkers Haute Route features comprehensive waymarking at every junction and regular paint marks throughout, supported by the detailed guidebook and route notes we provide. Navigate with confidence using the Macs Adventure smartphone app, which includes detailed maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information—simply download the tracks for offline use and follow the route directly from your phone. You'll find download instructions in your Macs Adventure Account, and we strongly recommend having the app ready before departure.

Each day's walk typically begins and ends at a central landmark (church, bus stop, etc.), with our distance figures covering the main trail only; short access routes to accommodations are additional, though the app will guide you door-to-door.

While the route is well-marked, alpine conditions require respect and preparation—weather and visibility can change rapidly in the mountains, and snow may be present even in summer, so ensure you're comfortable navigating with map in poor visibility before your trip. You'll use your judgment and experience to choose appropriate routes each day and navigate between overnight stops, as the Walkers Haute Route crosses high mountain passes, where conditions can be challenging year-round, requiring genuine mountain experience and confident navigation skills in all weather conditions.

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.

By Air: Geneva is the best airport for getting to Arolla. Regular trains continue to Sion from where you can catch a connecting bus to Arolla. For more information, please refer to www.sbb.ch 

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 are as follows: Le Châble to Les Ruinettes, above Zinal to Zinal village, and Jungen to St Nicklaus. 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.

From Zermatt regular trains connect to Zurich Airport (3h30) or Geneva Airport (4h00).

Due to the remoteness of many of the overnight stops, luggage 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. Bed linen 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.