Connecting the two capitals of Alpinism, along with the two most famous mountain of the Alps, this legendary route between Mont Banc and the Matterhorn is on the bucket list of every mountaineerer since its creation in 1903. Ski touring, hiking, mountaineering, this itinerary has been adapted to every discipline and level, and now to trail running! Departure from Chamonix, the route goes from valleys to passes, at the foot of the alpine giants ! A spectacular journey with altitudes often close to 3000m, through the most beautiful valleys of the Swiss Valais.
To enjoy this journey even more, travel light everyday with daily luggage transport !
Departure from end of June to mid September 2023
7-day tour
With luggage transport
2 persons: 1295€ per person
3 persons: 1260€ per person
4 persons: 1095€ per person
5 persons: 1080€ per person
6 persons: 1030€ per person
Without luggage transport
860€ per person (2 person basis)
Information and bookings by phone or email.
Secure payment
The price includes:
The price does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
Depart from the train station at Montroc-le-Planet.
LE TOUR - COL DE BALME - FENÊTRE D’ARPETTE - CHAMPEX
Depart from Le Tour village, climb to the "Col de Balme", leaving France to cross the Swiss border. Balcony trail to reach the alpine pass "Fenêtre d'Arpette" (2665m). Descend to the village of Champex and its lake. Night in gite.
Distance: 22km / Elevation: +1850m -1950m
LE CHÂBLE - COL DE LA LOUVIE - COL DE PRAFLEURI - GRANDE DIXENCE
Transfer to Le Châble then take the gondola. The path rises gradually above the "Val de Bagnes" and under the great "Bec des Rosses" before passing the "Col de Louvie". A beautiful day in altitude with lakes and mountain passes, finally reaching the Prafleuri pass and going down to the Grande Dixence dam, the largest gravity dam in the world. Night in hotel.
Distance: 17km / Elevation: +1150m -1000m
LAC DES DIX - PAS DE CHÈVRES - VAL D’HÉRENS
Climb along the "Lac des Dix" and then at the foot of "Mont Blanc de Cheilon" to reach the famous "Pas de Chèvres" and the ladders. Enter the Val d'Hérens, kingdom of the famous "Queen" cows. Cross the village of Arolla, going down along the river to reach Les Haudères, a charming small town with typical Valais architecture. Night in gite.
Distance: 25km / Elevation: +650m -1550m
COL DE TORRENT - MOIRY LAKE - SOREBOIS - ZINAL
After a short transfer to the Villaz hamlet, climb to "Col de Torrent" (2916m) and enter the "Val d'Anniviers". The route passes through alpine pastures, to the sparkling Moiry lake before going up towards the "Col de Sorebois" to reach Zinal village, in the valley. The hike can be extended with a superb balcony path facing the great summits of the surrounding area. Night in hotel.
Distance: 21km / Elevation: +1750m -1900m
VAL D’ANNIVIERS - MEIDPASS - GRUBEN
Beautiful day on the balcony trail above the Val d'Annivers. After passing the famous Weisshorn hotel, a magnificent building overlooking Saint-Luc at 2300m, climb to the Meidpass, swiss linguistic border and go into the German-speaking part of Valais. Night in hotel.
Distance: 23km / Elevation: +1300m -1150m
AUGSTBORDPASS - SCHWARZHORU - ST NIKLAUS
Nice climb to the Augstbordpass to reach the Zermatt valley. Possibility to ascent the Schwarzhorn (3200m) before descending towards the village of Saint-Niklaus. Night in hotel.
Distance: 17km / Elevation: +1050m -1700m
RANDA - EUROPAWEG - ZERMATT
Short train transfer to reach Randa. Climb through the alpine pastures to reach the famous Europaweg, the trails of Europe. Cross the "Charles Kuonen" footbridge, the largest suspended pedestrian footbridge in the world. Continue on the balcony path facing the Matterhorn to finally reach the legendary town of Zermatt.
Distance: 20km / Elevation: +1400m -1200m
End point in Zermatt during the afternoon. (Taxi return to Chamonix in option, please contact us).
The tour is also available in a 6-day version, please contact us.
Elevation: +/-1400m approximately per day.
Walking/running time: 6 to 8 hours approximately per day.
Type of trek: this tour is not technically difficult but the stages are too long for the average hiker. Intented for adults who regularly practice trail running (or trekking at a fast pace) and have an excellent fitness level. You must be capable of easily walking 40km (on flat trails) or running a half-marathon in less than 130 minutes.
In your road book, you will find all the possibilities to shorten stages if necessary by bus or with cablecars. *Note this itinerary is feasible at a good steady pace without running.
Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing:
- 2 topographical maps with the route highlighted;
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the tour;
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accomodation list.
In France: red and white marks on the path
In Switzerland: black and yellow diamond signs in the bottom of the valleys, red and white at altitude.
It is important to know how to read a topographical map at 1/25000.
Your baggage will be daily transported between accommodations.
4 nights in gite or hotel, in 2/3 person bedroom (shared bathrooms)
2 nights in dormitory
Option comfort (Night 1 and 5 in double/twin bedroom): +75€ per person
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accommodation in the evening or you may stop at mountain refuges on your route.
Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops along the way.
Plan to have some Swiss Francs for your personal expenses and for the transport along the way (bus, train...)
We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)
Federal Office of Cartographie: Grand St Bernard 5027 T, Monte Rosa 5028 T.
Departure from Montroc-le-Tour train station.
BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 8:18am arrive in CFF Châble at 2:15pm.
There are regular buses throughout the whole Chamonix valley - with an hourly bus service between Les Houches and Montroc-le-Planet.
www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or on the SNCF website.
BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix, follow the main road towards Argentière and Switzerland to the village of Montroc (1km after Argentière).
There is ample parking at the meeting point in Montroc-le-Planet or in the village of Le Tour 1km away.
If you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact:
Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week).
The easiest option for your return, is to leave your car at Montroc-le-Planet.
CAR-SHARING
Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations: www.blablacar.fr www.laroueverte.com www.roulezmalin.com
CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Geneva (GVA)
1 hour by car to Chamonix.
Bus and minibus services direct to your accommodation (25-35€ pp each way)
Lyon (LYS)
2h15 by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4h15 journey (40-45€ pp return)
Paris (PAR)
7 hours by car to Chamonix.
Train every 2 hours to Chamonix / 5-6 hour journey (80-120€ pp return)
From Zermatt, the return to the departure point in Le Tour is by train.
Taxi in option (please contact us).
If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Clothing
Other Equipment
Bring a comfortable backpack of 50 to 60 litres for your personal belongings (clothes, waterproofs, water, etc.).