Hiking the Haute Route

The Haute Route is the celebrated high-level hiking traverse that leads across craggy mountain passes from Chamonix, France, to Zermatt, Switzerland. This route is where the sport of mountaineering was born in the 19th century and just a glance at the 360-degree panorama explains why: 10 of the 12 highest peaks in the Alps, including Mont Blanc and the crooked spire of the Matterhorn, rise along this magnificent “high route.” Our spectacular hike crosses 11 glacier systems and 10 alpine passes yet we never climb above 10,000 feet as we follow this famous trail below some of the most spectacular peaks in the Alps, including the Grand Combin, the Dent Blanche, and the beautiful pyramid of the Weisshorn. Overnights are in small hotels, with two nights in hike-in lodges to feast our eyes on sunset panoramas of alpenglow on the high peaks. At least two and often three Trip Leaders make for great camaraderie and unparalleled service on this trip.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Chamonix, France / Mont Blanc

From Chamonix, a lively hub of alpine adventure, we take a warm-up hike for spectacular views including the Mer de Glace, a curving glacier more than four miles long.

Days 3-4
Argentiere, France / Champex, Switzerland

With cow bells jingling in the meadows, we ascend to the Col de Balme, a natural terrace at the head of the Chamonix Valley that marks the French-Swiss frontier. The next day, we follow the edge of the magnificent Trient Glacier to cross the rocky Fenetre d’Arpette, with an overnight in lakeside Champex.

Days 5-6
Mont Fort / Prafleuri

We hike up to the magnificently situated Mont Fort Refuge, a classic hikers’ lodge with great views of the Dents du Midi, Grandes Jorasses, and Grand Combin. The next day is a wild, rugged cross-country hike in one of the most remote areas of the Alps to the cozy, newly built Prafleuri Refuge.

Days 7-10
Val d’Arolla / Grimentz / Valais Canton

Crossing the Col de Reidmatten (9,577'), we get our first glimpse of the Matterhorn, then descend to Arolla, a tiny village at the foot of glaciers. Day 8 is free to rest or hike. In the very traditional canton of Valais, we ascend flower-filled pastures to the Col de Torrent, with stunning views including the Dent Blanche (14,290'). From the picture-postcard village of Grimentz, we hike in the shadow of the mighty Schwartzhorn, Gletschorn, and Weisshorn peaks to the remote hamlet of Gruben.

Days 11-13
St. Niklaus / Zermatt

Ascending the Augstbordpass (9,495'), we enjoy some of the best views in all Switzerland, then descend to Zermatt, surrounded by a dozen 13,000-foot peaks, most famously the crooked pyramid of the Matterhorn. Options on Day 12 include a hike to Hornli Hut, starting point for climbing the Matterhorn. Depart on Day 13.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 5, Strenuous. Good hiking experience is essential. Most hiking is between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, and the maximum elevation reached is 9,700 feet. There is a good bit of up-and-down during the 6-8 hours of daily hiking, with 3,000- to 4,000-foot elevation gain and loss per day. These are challenging hikes, so all participants must be in top physical condition. Of course, trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle.

Accommodations are in comfortable small hotels and inns, some with shared bath. A support vehicle will transport the group's luggage from day to day. We use many forms of transportation as we travel during the trip, so we ask that you restrict your luggage to one piece, plus your daypack/rucksack.

You’ll carry just a daypack on most days, but on one three-day, two-night stretch, it is impossible for our support vehicle to reach our mountain refuges at night. For this period, you must carry in a daypack/rucksack the clothing and toiletries you need for those three days. There is no “group” gear to carry, and most medium-sized daypacks have enough room for extra belongings (a toothbrush, soap, and a fresh t-shirt will suffice for most people).

Breakfasts and dinners are included, and trip members purchase their own lunches in villages, in small cafes, or in the refuges. The Trip Leader will bring everyone around to the local village shops and bakeries to purchase lunch supplies, and will let you know about any specialties of the region. On most nights we have dinners at our hotels.  Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the U.S. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 PM. 

Explanation of Trip Levels