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 seven days are not enough!
This proposed route focuses on the Swiss landscapes. The trail leads us to 'the land of the 4000m', surrounded by an incredible area of high peaks known as the 'Imperial Crown', ending in Zermatt at the foot of the legendary Matterhorn at 4478m high. A pyramid of rare elegance, the most mythical and most photographed summit of the Alps and the symbolic image of Switzerland.
Go self-guided, we organise everything...
Departure from the end of June to mid-September 2024
Without baggage transport
805€ per person, classic accommodation
Single departure supplement : 130€
With baggage transport (except night 1 and 2)
On request
Extras (price per person)
The price includes:
The price does not include:
Departure from the train station in Le Châble (Verbier, VS, Suisse)
LE CHABLE - CABANE DE LOUVIE
Take the gondola then traverse on a balcony trail with stunning views over the Combins mountain range, the Corbassière Glacier and the Mont Blanc range in the distance, to arrive at the Cabane de Louvie. Night in a refuge.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +460m -440m
COL DE LOUVIE - REFUGE PRAFLEURI
Beautiful day at higher altitude. Climb to the Col de Louvie (2921m) at the foot of the Rosa Blanche summit. Cross the rocky flats of the Grand Désert, passing by mountain lakes to reach the Col de Prafleuri (2987m). Descend to the refuge Prafleuri. Night in refuge.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation : +1050m -950m
LAC DES DIX - PAS DE CHÈVRES - LES HAUDERES
Contouring the Grande Dixence dam, highest gravity dam in the world. Climb alongside the Dix Glacier to the thrilling ladder climb at the Pas de Chèvre (2855m) and descend to the village of Arolla. Bus transfer to Les Haudères. Night in a hotel.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +850m -710m
COL TORRENT - LAC DE MOIRY - ZINAL
Short bus transfer from les Haudères to Villaz. Climb through the pastures among the "mayens" (mountain chalets) to arrive to the Col Torrent (2915m). Descend to the Moiry dam. Bus transfer to Zinal.
Night in a hotel.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1220m -700m
COL DE LA FORCLETTAZ - GRUBEN
Climb across the pastures above the Anniviers valley to the Col de la Forclettaz, on the language border of the Valais. Descend to the pretty alpine hamlet Gruben in the Turmanntal valley. Night in a gîte in dormitory.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1200m -1100m
AUGSBORDPASS - ST NIKLAUS - ZERMATT
Climb to the Augstbordpass (2900m) and descend to the village of Saint Niklaus. With a little luck, it is possible to see many chamois in this area. Descend by cable car and transfer to Zermatt. Night in a gîte or a hotel.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1100m -950m
SENTIER DE L’EUROPE
Climb to the Balcony of Europe trail, at the foot of the Matterhorn, in a world surrounded by summits over 4000m, passing through small shepherd villages with their flocks overlooking Zermatt. Descend to Zermatt and the train station.
3 hour walk / Elevation: +350m -350m
End point in Zermatt during the afternoon.
Elevation: +600 to 1250 m average per day.
Walking time: 5 to 7 hours average per day.
Type of trek: This tour is not technically difficult. Day 3 involves a ladder climb of 40m,
possibilty to take another route if this poses difficulties. A good fitness level is required for this trek.
This is a legitimate question for a route called "Chamonix Zermatt".
We favored a departure from Le Châble, near the Swiss resort of Verbier, for several reasons:
- The complete route linking these two alpine capitals is too long to be done in just 7 days (except for very trained hikers).
- The first stages starting from Chamonix (Col de Balme, Fenêtre d'Arpette/Bovine) are beautiful hikes but also particularly crowded and every hikers who have previously hiked the Tour of Mont Blanc are already familiar with them.
- Starting directly from Le Châble allows you to avoid a long transfer, usually necessary to cross the Val d'Entremont, but also to be able to do the superb high-altitude hike above the Louvie and Prafleuri passes.
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 by black diamond on a yellow background in the valleys and red and white at higher altitude.
It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/50000.
3 nights in dormitory in gite or mountain refuge.
3 nights in hotel in a twin/double bedroom.
All accommodation offers hot showers.
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accommodation 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 cable car transfers as well as for your personal expenses.
Ability to easily walk 20 km (on flat trails) 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.
Departures every day.
Departure from the train station in Le Châble VS (Switzerland).
BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) at 8:18am arriving in Le Châble at 2:15pm.
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 cff.ch
BY CAR
Take the A40 motorway to Genève, Chamonix, follow direction Martigny (Switzerland), continue direction Italy and follow signs Verbier.
Big and free parking at the cable car, opposite the meeting point in Le Châble.
End point during the afternoon in Zermatt.
At the end of the tour the return from Zermatt to the departure point in Le Châble is possible by train or taxi (by taxi is the cheapest and quickest option).
Le Châble - Hôtel Le Gietroz: +41 (0)2 77 76 11 84
Tourist Office Verbier: +41 (0)2 77 75 38 88
www.verbier.ch
Tourist Office Zermatt: +41 (0)2 79 66 81 00
www.zermatt.ch
In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. In no case can we be responsible for your own Personal Liability. If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.
Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.
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.).
Possible on request.