High Alps Traverse from Chamonix to ZermatT
Hiking the Haute Route
Overview
The Haute Route is the celebrated mountain passage from Chamonix, France, to Zermatt, Switzerland. This storied realm is where the sport of mountaineering was born in the 19th century. Just a glance at the 360-degree panorama explains why: 10 of the 12 most famous peaks in the Alps, including Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, rise along this magnificent “high route.” In seven hiking days, we hike over seven dramatic passes—including the Col de Torrent (9,567'), with its majestic panoramas. Our team of expert Trip Leaders makes this a wonderfully fun adventure with their local knowledge and passion for what they do.
Arrive: Chamonix, France,
Depart: Zermatt, Switzerland
Highlights
- Experience one of Europe’s great long-distance hikes—done right!
- Enjoy challenging but rewarding trails and two overnights in spectacularly situated hike-in huts
- Reach incredible viewpoints of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and other giants of the Alps
- Hike alongside a team of Trip Leaders who bring camaraderie and fun to each day
Itinerary
Heading out of Chamonix, nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc, we ascend alpine meadows below the Col de Balme (7,201'), which marks the French-Swiss frontier. As we cross Switzerland’s Col de la Forclaz (5,010'), we have sweeping views of the Rhône Valley on our descent to Champex. Our hike over the Col des Roux (9,199') reveals views of the legendary alpine summits and glaciers in the Valais Alps, and our ascent of the Col de Riedmatten brings us to Arolla (6,581'), a tiny village at the foot of the glaciers in the Val d’Arolla.
We enter Switzerland’s Valais canton, with its distinct French- and German-speaking regions. From Evolène, we ascend the Col de Torrent (9,567'), which straddles the Val d’Anniviers and Val d’Hérens, a wild area with stunning views over the impressive summits and glaciers in the Valais. Crossing the Meidpass (9,154'), we enter German-speaking Switzerland, with a long descent past lovely alpine Meidsee Lake to the hamlet of Gruben in the peaceful Turtmanntal Valley.
After our climb to the top of Augstbordpass (9,495'), our final pass, we catch a cable car and then a local train to car-free Zermatt, a unique mountain village steeped in the lore of alpinism and dominated by the Matterhorn. Depart on Day 8.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 5, Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 10 miles a day, being on your feet for up to 8 hours a day for several days in a row, and hiking on uneven surfaces with long descents that can be hard on the knees. While no climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary, all trip members should have ample hiking experience and be able to keep up with the group as there are no alternative hiking options available. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
- 8 miles
- 6 hours
- 2,500-3,000 feet gain/loss
- Altitudes range from 6,000 to 9,000 feet
Challenge Days
- Day 4: 10 miles, 7-8 hours, 2,700 feet gain, and 3,000 feet loss
Most hiking is between 6,000 and 9,000 feet, with considerable elevation gain and loss along the way. While the Haute Route is not exceptionally high, it can be steep and rugged. This trip is not technical, but is aimed for those who have some experience hiking in the mountains. At lower elevations, the trails are usually packed dirt, but at higher elevations they are often much rockier and more uneven, with sections of loose scree, large boulders, and occasionally glacial snow. Recent rockslides may impact the routes we use. On some days, you will encounter sections of narrow, exposed trails. You will also occasionally need to use your hands to scramble over and between a jumble of boulders. Your experienced mountain guides are there to assist you if needed. No climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary, but all participants must be in good physical condition, have good balance, be comfortable with moderate levels of exposure, and be confident on their feet.
Of course, you are always free to skip a day’s hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle. The support vehicle transports the group’s luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need for the day (sweater, camera, water bottle). Hiking poles are highly recommended.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in. Altitude is generally not a problem on this trip. However, some people still experience a few problems when they first reach high altitude. Slight headache and sleeplessness are the most common symptoms.
Temperatures are likely to reach the 60s°F and 70s°F during the day, with cool breezes and occasional rain. At night the temperature will drop quite a bit, depending on the altitude. The months we run these trips have the optimal weather conditions, but still can be fickle. It can range from blue skies to cloudy, wet, and cold conditions, making rain gear and warm garments necessary items to carry with you on every hike. The early-season departures may encounter snow on the trails.
Our accommodations are in small, comfortable hotels and inns. While they are clean and well located, they are not always of uniform size or amenities. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. In two of the hotels, there are shared bathrooms (no private baths). Single rooms are offered when possible, but those who pay the Single Supplement may have to share a room for up to two nights during the trip.
Lunch will usually be in a mountain lodge or at a picnic spot amidst the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Most evening meals will be taken at our hotels and will be hearty, nourishing mountain fare, often with the cuisine the region is known for. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meals will be at 7:30 pm.
Our support vehicle will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transfering that day).
Client Testimonials
"I loved the whole trip! The guides were professional and fun. They made each stop easy and gave us all the information needed to know what to expect. Each day was amazing and the guides were very good at setting a great pace for all of us."
Beth L.
Rapid City, SD
"Another great WT adventure! Great combination of demanding hikes, beautiful vistas, good food and drink, and great travel companions. We were fortunate to have three accomplished leaders, any of whom could have led the trip on their own."
Bob F.
Bethesda, MD
"I've taken over 20 hiking trips with Wilderness Travel and other trekking companies, and this was absolutely one of the best. The daily hikes were challenging but within all our abilities, and the scenery was magnificent. Camaraderie within the group and with the guides was great, and most of all, it was a lot of fun!"
Carl H.
Charlotte, VT
"This was truly an outstanding trip, and I look forward to another Wilderness Travel trip in the very near future. Great guides and great individuals that we traveled with. So much fun!"
Chris C.
Salisbury, MD
"Couldn’t have asked for a better trip! Amazing terrain, great wildflowers and food, and great leaders and group"
Dan B.
Tucson, AZ
"It was the trip of a lifetime. I loved every moment of it!"
Helen M.
Short Hills, NJ
"I have nothing but positive feedback: the guides, the itinerary, the hike itself, the incredible scenery, the people we met, WT’s handling of everything—it was all excellent, a truly memorable experience!"
Judith T.
Greenland, NH
"The overall trip exceeded my expectations, particularly due to the fantastic trip leaders. Their overall attitudes, competence, kindness, expertise, and humanity was such a gift. The sheer and awesome beauty of each day was a wonder as well. Words can't fully express the deeply moving experience of such grandeur."
Karin K.
Walnut Creek, CA
"Great itinerary. I’ve already recommended it to a number of friends. Wilderness Travel does a great job with all facets of adventure travel, and I will continue to use this company as my first choice."
Larry T.
Petaluma, CA
"What an amazing trip! The three guides were key to making this trip so great. their experience and flexibility and ability to work so well together really enhanced every hike we did."
Marianne B.
Sammamish, WA
"A wonderful trip. WT consistently impresses me with their level of service. Most importantly, the guides are superior to any other service I've used. You feel completely at ease and supported by their level of professionalism."
Marisa V.
San Francisco, CA
"All the logistics for the trip were seamless. The scenery along the hiking routes was spectacular, the guides were terrific, and the overall experience was great!"
Mark J.
New York, NY
"A wonderful route with terrific hiking every day, and a perfect level of difficulty. We particularly loved our exceptional, supportive guides."
Richard L.
Berkeley, CA
"The trip was fantastic in every way. I would not change a thing."
Rita S.
St. Simons Island, GA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.