The Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt is probably one of the most famous routes in the Alps, connecting two mountain capitals, steeped in history by high altitude trails.
But six days is not enough!
This proposed route focuses on the Swiss landscapes. The trail leads us to the "Land of the 4000m" surrounded by an incredible panorama of high peaks known as the "Imperial Crown", ending in Zermatt at the foot of the legendary Matterhorn (4478m). A pyramid of rare elegance, the most mythical and most photographed summit of the Alps and the symbolic image of Switzerland.
Go self guided, let us organise the rest...
From july to mid-September 2023.
Without baggage transport
770€ per person, 5 nights comfort accommodation in double or twin rooms
Daily departures.
With baggage transport
Group of 2-3 person: 1230€ per person
Group of 4-5 person: 1115€ per person
Group of 6 persons and more: 1055€ per person
Departure on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
Extras (price per person)
Secure payment
The price includes:
The price does not include:
Meet infront of Sion train station at 12:30pm.
SION - GRANDE DIXENCE DAM
Bus transfer to Thyon 2000.
Depart via a balcony trail overlooking the Val d’Hérémence arriving at one of the largest dams in Europe the Grande Dixence dam. Night in a hotel at the foot of the dam.
4.5 hour walk / Elevation: +350m -200m
PAS DE CHÈVRE - LES HAUDÈRES
Hike along the Grande Dixence dam and climb alongside the Dix Glacier to the Pas de Chèvre mountain pass at 2855m. Descend to the village of Arolla.
Bus transfer to Les Haudères. Night in a gîte or hotel.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +710m -850m
COL TORRENT - ZINAL
Climb along a path dotted with mayens (Swiss pasture chalets) to the Col Torrent at 2915m.
Descend to the beautiful greeny blue Moiry dam. Transfer by bus to Zinal.
Night in a hotel.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1220 -700m
COL FORCLETTA - GRUBEN
Ascend to the Col Forcletta at 2870m. Descend into the tiny alpine hamlet of Gruben.
Night in a gîte.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1240m -1050m
AUGSTBORDPASS - ZERMATT
Ascend to the Augstbord pass at 2900m and descend to the village of Saint Niklaus.
With a little luck you will see some shy chamois. Transfer by cable car and train to Zermatt.
Night in a hotel.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1100m -950m
ZERMATT
Circuit hike above Zermatt along a superb balcony trail facing the Matterhorn. Descend into the village of Zermatt to the train station.
3 hour walk / Elevation: +/-350m
End point at the train station in Zermatt during the afternoon.
Elevation: +/- 600-1250m average per day.
Walking time: 5 - 7 hours average per day.
Type of trek: This tour is not technically difficult, Day 2 involves a ladder climb of 40m,
possibilty to take another route if this poses difficulties. A good fitness level is important.
Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing:
- 2 topographical maps (1/50 000) with the route highlighted.
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek.
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accommodation list.
The tour is very well indicated.
- a black dot on a yellow diamond in the valleys and red and white stripes at altitude
(in both directions).
It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/50000.
5 nights in a hotel in a twin/double bedroom.
All accommodation has hot showers.
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accomodation in the evening.
Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops (Days 3, 4 and 6).
It is essential to carry Swiss Francs for the bus and cablecar transfers and for other personal expenses.
Ability to easily walk 20km (on the flat) in a maximum of 4 hours.
If this is not the case, we recommend that you train during the three weeks prior to departure, for example running 4-5km or hiking/cycling 3-4 hours, 2 to 3 times per week. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)
Federal Office of Topography: Grand St Bernard 5027 T, Monte Rosa 5028 T.
From end of June to mid-September.
Departure at the train station in Sion VS (Switzerland).
BY TRAIN
Inbound: Depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) at 7:56am arriving in Sion at 1:26pm.
Return: Depart Zermatt at 2:37pm arrive (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 9:42pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at
www.oui.sncf and www.cff.ch
BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix, follow direction Martigny (Switzerland), continue direction Sion. Or from Geneva, take Lausanne direction, then Sion. (*Compulsory Swiss road tax sticker on motorways purchased at the border or in petrol stations).
End point during the afternoon in Zermatt.
At the end of the tour the return from Zermatt to the departure point in Sion is possible by train or taxi (by taxi is the best option for groups).
Sion - Hôtel Elite +41 (0)2 73 22 03 www.hotelelitesion.ch
Office du tourisme de Sion +41 (0)2 73 27 77 27 www.valais.ch
Office du Tourisme de Zermatt: +41 (0)2 79 66 81 00 www.zermatt.ch
If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Clothing
Other Equipment
Bring a comfortable backpack of 50 - 60 litres for your personal belongings (clothes, waterproofs, water, etc.).