Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt)

  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Matterhorn getting closer and closer, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Alps High Route - Mt Blanc to Matterhorn , Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Alps High Route - Mt Blanc to Matterhorn , Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Alps High Route - Mt Blanc to Matterhorn , Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Alps High Route - Mt Blanc to Matterhorn , Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Dawn Light on the Matterhorn, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Nearing Col Termin, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Chamois below path above Jungen - 2nd September 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Matterhorn (4478m) - 4th September 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Dick Everard at Augstbordpass - 3rd September 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Grand Gendarme (4331), Weisshorn (4506m) and Bishorn (4153m) - 2nd September 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), View of Tsahalet (2523m) on the climb to Col Forcletta (2874m) - 2nd September 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Corne de Sorebois (2850m) - 1st September 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Cabane de Moiry on descent - 1st September 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Lac de Moiry with Pointe de Tsat? (3077m) on left from Cabane de Moiry - 31st August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Glacier de Moiry from path to Cabane de Moiry - 31st August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), H?rens cattle, native to canton of Valais beside lake above Remointse du Tsat? - 31st August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Path at Lac Bleu (2090m) above La Gouille - 30th August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Mont Collon (3637m) and Pigne d'Arolla (3796m) from Hotel du Glacier, Arolla - 29th August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), View from Pas de Ch?vres (2885m) with Dents des Bouquetins and the Matterhorn (4478m) in the far centre - 29th August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Col Termin (2648m) with Combin de Corbassi?re (3715m) and Petit Combin (3663m) - 28th August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Dick Everard with Grand Combin (4314m), Combin de Corbassi?re (3715m) and Petit Combin (3663m) below Col Termin - 28th August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Cabane du Mont Fort (2547m) - 27th August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Beginning of path to Col Termin with Petit Combin (3663m) from Cabane du Mont Fort - 27th August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Trient Glacier from Fen?tre d'Arpette (2665m) - 25th August 2015, Walkopedia
  • France Alps, Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt), Path and Bisse (irrigation channel) between Col de la Forclaz and Chalet du Glacier - 25th August 2015, Walkopedia

Key information: Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt)

    • A famous high route from Chamonix to Zermatt.  Absolutely classic Alpine scenery, snowy peaks, glaciers, high meadows and deep valleys, close-up views of such icons as Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. 
      • 180+km, 12-14 days, 12,000m of ascent and 10,000m of descent. But no pass over 3,000m, so, while demanding, it isn't unpleasantly high.
        • This is a tough walk in high, remote mountains, on which you will have to be self-sufficient and where altitude can cause real problems. Come prepared.
          • ANYONE GOT ANY GOOD PHOTOS? WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO POST THEM!

Walkopedia rating

  • Walkopedia rating88.5
  • Beauty35
  • Natural interest16.5
  • Human interest5
  • Charisma34
  • Negative points2
  • Total rating88.5
  • Note: Negs: popularity in high season

Vital Statistics

  • Length: 12-14 days
  • Maximum Altitude: 3,796m
  • Level of Difficulty: Difficult
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Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt): Glacier de Moiry from path to Cabane de Moiry - 31st August 2015 - © Dick Everard

WALK SUMMARY

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!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

We have a lot of helpful practical information and tips about this walk, covering everything from the best books and maps, to timing and weather, geting there, possible problems, whether you need a guide and where to find them, and useful websites. This section is only open to members.

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Safety and problems: All walks have inherent risks and potential problems, and many of the walks featured on this website involve significant risks, dangers and problems. Problems of any sort can arise on any walk. This website does not purport to identify any (or all) actual or potential risks, dangers and problems that may relate to any particular walk.

Any person who is considering undertaking this walk should do careful research and make their own assessment of the risks, dangers and possible problems involved. They should also go to “Important information” for further important information.

Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.

Safety and problems: All walks have inherent risks and potential problems, and many of the walks featured on this website involve significant risks, dangers and problems. Problems of any sort can arise on any walk. This website does not purport to identify any (or all) actual or potential risks, dangers and problems that may relate to any particular walk.

Any person who is considering undertaking this walk should do careful research and make their own assessment of the risks, dangers and possible problems involved. They should also go to “Important information” for further important information.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND PHOTOS

Name: Min
Posted on: 08/08/2015
The final two days from Gasenreid to Zermatt via the Europa Hut are closed at the moment due to rock falls. Europa Hut can be accessed by ascending directly from Randa, but this adds a huge ascent to a big day. So we decided, sadly we would miss the Europa hut and walk up the valley to Zermatt. If you add a couple of days to your Zermatt stay, the telecabine up to the Klein Mattahorn, 3880m, to view the Mattahorn is well worth the 100SF price tag. Descend down to Zermatt from the Schwartzsee station, through he Zum See Village. The second day, take the bubble up to Schwartzsee and walk to the Hornlihut. It says it is a 2 1/2 hour walk but you will be fit from walking the Haute Route so it took just 1 1/4 hrs.


Walkopedia says: THANK YOU, MIN - precious info!

Name: Dick Everard
Posted on: 24/09/2015
I have loaded some photographs of my trek on the Walker's Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't kind to us over the last three days when there are supposed to be the best views. All of my photos can be seen at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/136214554@N06/albums/72157656272951134 And in due course I will write up my diary. My general comment is that it is a lovely walk and although hard not so difficult that my self at 67 could walk it quite easily and I met a 73 year old who was managing without any difficulty. Admittedly, the weather although cloudy over the last few days was kind with very little wind and warm temperatures. This was between 23rd August and 4th September.


Walkopedia says thank you Dick for some (as always!) brilliant photos which really give a feel for the magic of this route.


Your comments on this walk, your experiences and suggestions, and your photos are very welcome. Where appropriate, you will be credited for your contribution.

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Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt): Mont Collon (3637m) and Pigne d'Arolla (3796m) from Hotel du Glacier, Arolla - 29th August 2015 - © Dick Everard

OTHER ACCOUNTS
share your experiences

Add your experiences, suggestions and photos. We would be delighted to receive your writing and ideas (which will be attributed appropriately where published).

Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.

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Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt): Beginning of path to Col Termin with Petit Combin (3663m) from Cabane du Mont Fort - 27th August 2015 - © Dick Everard...
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