Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt)

This famous 184km high route from Chamonix to Zermatt in without doubt one of the world's great walks, winding through absolutely classic Alpine scenery: the snowy peaks, glaciers, high meadows and deep valleys on the Suisse side of the high ridge of the Pennine Alps, the greatest group of peaks over 4,000m in western Europe, with close-up views of such icons as Mont Blanc and (a perfect finale) the Matterhorn. The different stages have their special features and excitements, creating a magnificent totality.

The wildflowers are gorgeous in spring and early summer, and very varied as a result of the differing underlying rocks. Animals include chamois, ibex and the lovable marmots.

The Haute Route crosses the grain of land, crossing deep, glacially hewn valleys running northward out of the high range, and 11 ridges between them. It involves 12,000m of ascent and 10,000m of descent (more if you take higher options available), so is quite demanding - but no pass exceeds 3,000m, so, while you will feel some altitude, it isn't unpleasantly high.

The full trail takes 12-14 days, the shorter alternative enabled by combining the short first day  with day 2, and walking from St Niklaus direct to Zermatt at the end, rather than via the Europa Hut. There are plenty of variants, many of the higher/longer day alternatives being unmissable if you think you have the energy.

Highlights include:

{C}{C}{C}-          {C}{C}A too-good-too-miss, one excellent preliminary (not strictly part of the Haute Route): to start by taking the cable car from Chamonix into The Aiguilles Rouges, visiting The Lac Blanc, with its unforgettable views into the Mont Blanc massif, then traversing across to join the main route at The Col de Balme.

{C}{C}{C}-          {C}{C}Crossing the Fenetre d'Arpette, the high and dramatic alternative on Day 2 (Trient to Champex), which is also on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Quite demanding. Superb views, including close to glaciers.

{C}{C}{C}-          {C}{C}The route from Cabane Mont Fort to Cabane de Praifleuri (Day 5) across several passes in dramatic, broken high country, along a high ledge called the Sentier des Chamois and winding below the Grand Desert glacier, with super views throughout.

{C}{C}{C}-          {C}{C}The walk beside beautiful Lac des Dix and across the 2,919m Col de Riedmatten to the small village of Arolla (Day 6), a superb and varied day's walking.

{C}{C}{C}-          {C}{C}The crossing from La Sage to the superbly sited Cabane de Moiry (Day 8), over the Col de Tsaté taking in views of the Glacier de Moiry and a ring of broken peaks.

{C}{C}{C}-          {C}{C}The crossing from Cabane de Moiry to Zinal (day 9), over the enthralling - iewed Col de Sorebois, the descent spoilt a bit by chairlift mess.

{C}{C}{C}-          {C}{C}The crossing from Zinal to Gruben (aka Meiden) (Day 10) via the Forcletta (or a longer alternative via the Hotel Weisshorn)

{C}{C}{C}-          {C}{C}The stage (Day 11) from Graben to St. Niklaus, over the Augustbordpass at 2,894m, which is claimed by some to be the best crossing of all, with some extraordinarily fine views from the high ground.

{C}{C}{C}-          {C}{C}The Europaweg, 2 days and 31km (Days 12-13-ish) from Gasenried to Zermatt via the Europa Hut. Relatively recently created this route winds from staggering view to staggering view, of the Mattertal and its famous eponymous mountain - and much else. A superb finale. (You can walk St. Niklaus to Zermatt in a lower, one - day alternative if time is short.)

Accommodation will be a mixture of village hotels/hostels and mountain huts, all providing food so you won't be too weighed down.

See Walkopedia's friend Dick Everard's account of walking the Walkers Haute Route here.

This page is still at an early stage of development. Please help us by making suggestions and sending photos! Thank you!

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