Classic Haute Route hiking traverse
La Haute Route, one of the best treks in the world, from Mont Blanc (Chamonix) to Matterhorn (Zermatt), guided by Emma, UIMLA mountain leader.
Not specified
Alps
11 Days
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Fit
Intermediate
Description
Join me on the most famous hiking route in the Alps: the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. This multi-day trekking journey begins at the foot of Mont Blanc in the Chamonix Valley.
During the lower sections of the trek, we’ll hike through beautiful alpine valleys and meadows covered by flowers. Then, in the higher sections, we’ll cross high passes and enjoy spectacular views of some of the highest peaks and glaciers in the Alps.
The Alps’ Haute Route covers 180 km, following good paths and tracks. Eleven days after the start of our trip in Chamonix, we’ll get to Zermatt in Switzerland, just beneath the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic mountains in the world.
You’ll sleep in good quality hotels, with the exception of 2 nights in mountain huts. We’ll spend one of these nights at the Cabane de Louvie, perched above a stunning mountain lake. We’ll also have luggage support, making for a very comfortable trip.
How difficult is the Classic Haute Route? It is slightly harder than the Tour du Mont Blanc but it is still a non-technical trek suitable for regular hikers. It is not a program for first-timers, though, so I recommend to try your hand at something slightly easier if this is your first time. Apart from some small sections where it is important to be careful, walking is generally quite straightforward.
Sounds like a good plan? Then contact me now and reserve your dates. I’ll be happy to be your guide during this amazing hike along the most beautiful sections in the Alps.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation included
- Transport during the trip
- Luggage transfer
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Price details
The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Chamonix
Our trip begins in the famous mountain town of Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. We meet the group at 6pm for a trip briefing followed by our evening meal.
– Accommodation: 3* hotel, dinner included
– Luggage access
Day 2: Montroc to Col de la Forclaz via the Aiguillette de Posettes
Firstly, we start with a beautiful train journey on the famous Mont Blanc Express. Afterwards, we start our trek in the hamlet of Montroc, and begin climbing up the stunning Aiguillette de Posettes. Most other treks then head for the Col de Balme. However, we take a quiet and beautiful variant through the meadows of Les Tseppes and into Switzerland as it offers fantastic views.
– Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included
– Luggage access
– Walking: approx 7-8 hrs
– Distance: 14 km
– Altitude gain / loss: +1100m / -1100m
Day 3: Trek from the Col de la Forclaz to Champex via the Fenêtre d'Arpette
Today we start with an easy stroll along the bisse (Swiss irrigation system) to the Chalet des Glaciers, a small café next to the impressive Trient glacier. Here we begin a long and sometimes steep ascent through spectacular scenery up the high pass known as the Fenêtre d’Arpette, from which we have wonderful views of the Trient Plateau. Finally, we have a steep descent through the Val d’Arpette to our accommodation in Champex.
– Accommodation : Family-run hotel, dinner included
– Luggage access
– Walking: Approx 7 hrs
– Distance: 16 km
– Altitude gain / loss: + 1411m / -1200m
Day 4: Champex to the Cabane de Louvie
We leave the picturesque village of Champex to meander through summer meadows in the Val de Bagnes, to reach the village of Sembrancher. Here we take a short taxi ride to Fionnay. We have chosen to deviate from the standard Haute Route and head for the Cabane de Louvie as it offers a truly remote setting next to a high alpine lake, and our route steers clear of the ski lifts of Verbier. We finish our day with a steep ascent to the Louvie hut: it’s tiring, but we are rewarded with fantastic views of the Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc Massif.
– Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included
– No luggage access
– Walking: Approx 8 hours
– Distance: 20 km
– Altitude gain / loss: +1350m / -1300m
Day 5: Trek from the Cabane de Louvie to the Cabane de de Prafleuri
This is one of the most spectacular days of the trek, crossing 2 cols with dramatic views throughout. After climbing the Col de Louvie, we make a steep descent at the edge of the Grand Désert glacier. Afterwards we traverse the aptly-named Grand Désert and make our way up to the Col de Prafleuri (2987m) then descend to the Cabane de Prafleuri (2642m) for the evening.
– Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included
– No luggage access
– Walking: Approx 8 hrs
– Distance: 18 km
– Altitude gain / loss: +820m / -550m
Day 6: Trek from the Cabane de Prafleuri to Arolla
A short, steep climb greets us this morning as we quickly summit the Col de Roux, overlooking the milky waters of the Lac de Dix. A gentle descent then takes us to the shore of the lake. Next we make a steep ascent to the base of the Col de Riedmatten, where we have the option of either climbing the col or taking the Pas de Chèvres ladders to a nearby col. The leader will decide which route we take, based on the weather and the group.
– Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included
– Luggage access
– Walking: approx 6-7 hrs
– Distance: 16 km
– Altitude gain / loss: +735m / -1360m
Day 7: Arolla to La Sage
We are now approaching the halfway point of the trek and today is something of a recuperation day, involving a leisurely walk through woodland (although there are 1 or 2 chains!) to the Lac Bleu, a favourite local beauty spot. From here, there is an easy descent through a beautiful gorge to Les Haudères where we have lunch. At least, a short climb complete this stage at the small farming hamlet of La Sage.
– Accommodation: 3* hotel, dinner included
– Luggage access
– Walking: approx 4-5 hrs
– Distance: 11 km
– Altitude gain / loss: +215m / -550m
Day 8: La Sage to Zinal
The first ascent to the higher of the two passes, the Col de Torrent (2912m), is long, but not too difficult, and the path is in good condition. We then descend to the turquoise Lac de Moiry, a great lunch spot. Ahead we can see some of the giant peaks of the Pennine Alps. Of more concern will be the imposing Col de Sorebois, a climb which is shorter but steeper than the ascent of the Torrent, but again presents no real problems. From here, we have spectacular views of the Weisshorn, the Dent Blanche and the Zinal Rothorn. It’s a steep downhill from here, and the hotel at Zinal is a welcome sight after the hardest day of the trip so far.
– Accommodation: Hotel dinner included
– Luggage access
– Walking: approx 8-9 hrs
– Distance: 21 km
– Altitude gain / loss: +2000m / -1850m
Day 9: Zinal to Gruben
We start with a steep but pleasant ascent through larch forest, before a rising traverse takes us through alpine pastures with excellent views across the Val d’Anniviers. We have a choice of 2 passes today, the Forcletta (2874m) or the Meidpass (2790m), but we normally take the Forcletta as it offers a more direct route, and slightly better views. From here we can see into the Turtmanntal, and we enter the German-speaking part of Switzerland. We often see the rare edelweiss on our descent of this col, if we can manage to take our eyes away from the incredible vista of 4000m peaks on offer. Tonight we stay in the tiny hamlet of Gruben.
– Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included
– Luggage access
– Walking: Approx 7 hrs
– Distance: 19 km
– Altitude gain / loss: +1200m / -1165m
Day 10: Gruben to Saint Niklaus across the Augstbordpass
A really superb trek today as we start out through open woodland, then across high pastures followed by an alpine rocky wilderness. The trek soon opens up to some of the most spectacular views in the Swiss Alps. Our final pass is the Augstbordpass (2894m), beyond which we descend steeply to the wonderful viewpoint known as the Twära – and here is your first view into the Matterhtal.. A steep descent takes us to the hamlet of Jungu, perched on the side of the mountain. And from here there is a steeper descent of a couple of hours to take us down to Saint Niklaus.
– Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included
– Luggage access
– Walking: Approx 7-8 hrs
– Distance: 16 km
– Altitude gain / loss: +1070m / -1765m
Day 11: Saint Niklaus to Zermatt
Today we make our way easily along tte valley into Zermatt to experience our first close-up views of the Matterhorn. We have chosen not to do the Europaweg section of the Haute Route as the path is becoming increasingly hazardous, with regular rockfalls wiping out sections of path along with entire bridges. Therefore we have chosen instead to include 2 nights in Zermatt, so that tomorrow we can offer one of the most spectacular walks in the world.
– Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included
– Luggage access
– Walking: Approx 4-5 hrs
– Distance: 13 km
– Altitude gain / loss: +450m / -0m
Day 12: The Höhenweg and the Matterhorn!
We have included this extra day in Zermatt firstly to maximise our chances of seeing the Matterhorn, but more importantly as it is one of the most spectacular walks in the world! First of all, we climb from the centre of Zermatt up through a gorge, to Trift. Later, we climb on higher towards the Matterhorn, along a breathtaking balcony path, with views of the Monte Rosa and the glaciers which lie above Zermatt, round a corner and the majestic Matterhorn reveals herself. For the rest of the day you will not be able to put your camera down – a true finale to your Walker’s Haute Route.
Day 13: Depart Zermatt
Our trip finishes after breakfast.
Details
Accommodation 10 nights in hotels
2 nights in mountain huts |
More info I offer the Haute Route in 4 other different options: -Highlights of the Haute Route -Self-guided Walker's Haute Route -Glacier Haute Route -Skier's Haute Route |
About the guide
I'm a qualified International Mountain Leader (IML) and I have been leading expeditions for the last 15 years. I have led the Tour du Mont Blanc over 40 times, the Everest Base Camp trek 27 times, Kilimanjaro 10 times, and I have also led trips in Nepal, Peru, Cuba, India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand, the Alps, the Pyrenees, Russia, Uzbekistan and Madagascar, amongst others.
I'm a passionate skier, in 2009 I made the first ski descent of Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world (8156m).
Fluent in French, Russian and Spanish, I also work as an interpreter and love to chat.
What people are saying about -Emma Jack
You may also like
Find more hiking trips in France
Join our newsletter!
Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.