Walker's Haute Route

Your Walker’s Haute Route begins in Chamonix, the centre of mountaineering in the French Alps and always a hive of activity. If you arrive early you may wish to walk the first section of the route to Argentière or take the cable car up to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi with views over Mont Blanc and into France, Switzerland and Italy. Chamonix is easily accessible via numerous shuttles, buses and trains from Geneva Airport.

Optional walk Chamonix to Argentière: 9km, 2hrs, 214m ascent. 

After breakfast take the free shuttle bus to Argentière, where you begin your ascent to the Col de Balme, which marks the Swiss border and rewards with panoramic views of the Mont Blanc massif including the Mer de Glace, Trient and Argentière glaciers. From the Col de Balme you descend into the Valley of Trient, which is pretty, green and pastoral. This part of the route is shared with the Tour de Mont Blanc.

Ascent/Descent: 950m/925m Descent

Today you can look forward to a truly amazing day of walking over the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2665m). It is a very demanding but rewarding climb parallel to the frozen cascades of the Glacier du Trient. The descent into the green meadows of the Val d’Arpette passes streams, mountain meadows and broadleaf woods. There is an easier variation via Alp Bovine in case of poor weather or for a gentler start to your trek. Champex is a lakeside village filled with attractive chalets and colourful flower boxes.

Walk via Fenêtre d’Arpette: 14km, 1400m Ascent, 1200m Descent, 6.5—7.5 hours.

Walk via Alp Bovine: 17km, 930m ascent, 710m descent, 5.5 hours.

Leaving Champex the trail becomes as you leave the Tour du Mont Blanc. Your day begins with a gentle descent into the Orsiére Valley through small Swiss farming communities, such as Sembrancher, an attractive stone-walled village. This is an easy day ends at the valley capital of Le Châble.

Ascent/Descent: 105m/750m 

From Le Châble you can choose either a long ascent through forests and villages, bypassing Verbier to the superbly situated Cabane du Mont Fort. Alternatively, you can skip most of the ascent taking the télépherique to Les Ruinettes, which is only an hour’s walk from Cabane du Mont Fort. (if you plan to take the cable-car we suggest combining day 4&5).

Ascent/Descent: 1640m/50m

Once you leave Mont Fort you are committed to two days of challenging trekking, which is consistently at a high level and can be affected by snow early in the season. You can look forward to a varied and interesting day of walking in the superb mountain scenery. The vast panoramas of the Combin Massif are a highlight as you cross the Col de Louvie and Col de Prafleuri to the refuge at Col de Prafleuri.

Ascent/Descent: 900m/750m 

Leaving the refuge and make your way up to the Col de Roux. The Val de Dix lies before you; green pasturelands and big mountains centred on the turquoise Lac Dix. Mountain lovers will be in their element today as you cross two mountain passes and traverse some challenging sections en route to the narrow notch of Col de Riedmatten. From here descend into a valley of grassland where the route curves east and down into Arolla, a small mountaineering and walking centre.

Ascent/Descent: 735m/1350m 

After a couple of tough mountain days, you can look forward to an easier day of valley walking. You walk by way of Lac Bleu with exquisite views when you take a backward glance. Pass the tiny hamlet of Louché before the path forks and you descend into La Gouille. From here take a wooded path to Les Haudères, an unspoilt Valsaisian village. A further hour and 200m as ascent bring you to the hamlet of La Sage.

Ascent/Descent: 425m/840m

Overnight: La Sage (or Les Haudères) 

Here we have chosen to take the alternative route over the Col du Torrent to the Barrage de Moiry and the gorgeous village of Grimentz. The views on the way up to the col are particularly lovely. When you reach the dam you can either walk or take the bus down to Grimentz.

Ascent/Descent: 1250m/1330m

You have two choices today. Either catch the bus back up to the Barrage de Moiry to re-join the Haute Route and climb over the Col de Sorebois before descending into Zinal. (cable car available) Alternatively, I would recommend following the route of the Tour d’ Val de Anniviers, which contours through the forested slopes of the Corne de Sorebois to Zinal.

Ascent/Descent: 600m/1200m

Your day begins by climbing through forests and alpine meadows to Col de Forcletta before descending into the Turmanntal and to the hamlet of Gruben.

Ascent/Descent: 1200m/1050m

Your day begins with a climb to cross the Augustbordpass, which links the Turmanntal with the Mattertal and has been used since the Middle Ages as a trading route. The climb is worth the effort as this is the last major pass on the Haute Route and the views are as spectacular as ever. The descent brings you to Jurgen, a tiny traditional hamlet of wooden chalets clinging to the mountainside above St Niklaus. Purists can tackle the steep descent to St Niklaus but most will opt for the cable car.

Ascent/Descent: 1100m ascent, 1800m 

For your final two days of walking on the Haute Route you follow the Europaweg, a high-level mountain route to Zermatt. The climbs are steep and the going can be tough and exposed. But with views of the Bernese Alps and the Grosser Aletschgeltscher, Pass Mattsand, Herbruggen and Breitmatten it’s a fitting end to the Haute Route. 
The Europaweg can be unsafe in poor weather in which case there is a low-level alternative on the valley floor. If you think you would prefer not to take on the Europaweg, contact us for an alternative itinerary.

Ascent/Descent: 1131m/570m descent

From Randa make your way to Tasch and join the Europaweg at 1930m. This high balcony path follows the Zermatt valley and it is here where you finally have a magnificent view of the Matterhorn and Zermatt, your final destination. You will also be walking across the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, the longest hanging bridge in the world at just under half a kilometre in length! Located at the foot of the Matterhorn Zermatt is one of the great mountaineering and winter sports centres in the Alps. A beautifully preserved old town, mountain railways, cable cars and wonderful walking will tempt you to spend a few more days.

Ascent/Descent: 967m/1614m

Everything about car free Zermatt is a delight. Wander the narrow streets of the old town, walk up to the village of Zmutt for close up views of the Matterhorn or take the cable car to the glacier at Kleine Matterhorn. If time permits, we recommend taking an extra night or two in Zermatt. If you are not staying longer in Zermatt you can connect by train to Geneva(4h00) and Zurich (3h30).