Experience the dramatic Pennine Alps as you trek from Chamonix to Zermatt, where towering peaks, wildflower meadows, and remote alpine hamlets create an unforgettable journey between Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Highlights include challenging high passes, classic valley alternatives, and sweeping vistas of the Alps’ greatest 4000m summits. Discover a landscape shaped by centuries of mountain tradition, with welcoming mountain huts, picturesque settlements, and the ever-changing beauty of high alpine terrain.

Perfect for experienced trekkers, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook presents the complete Walker’s Haute Route, described in 14 day-long stages, crossing 215km (134 miles) between France and Switzerland. Routes are organised west to east, with 9 alternative variants allowing you to create the ideal itinerary to match your ambitions and timeframe.

• Stages are clearly described with distance, ascent/descent, and estimated walking time, making it easy to plan each day, whether you prefer a steady pace or a more demanding adventure.
• Explore iconic Pennine Alps landscapes, including the flanks of Mont Blanc, the flower-filled valleys of Arolla and Zinal, and the legendary approach to Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn. Each stage ranges from 9–20km (6–12 miles), with cumulative ascent and descent of nearly 14,000m.
• The Walker’s Haute Route is best enjoyed from mid-July to mid-September, when trails are clear of snow, flower meadows are in bloom, and mountain accommodation is open.
• Features 1:50,000 mapping and free downloadable GPX tracks for every stage, ensuring straightforward navigation and confident route-finding on alpine paths and remote descents. Each route description includes an at-a-glance information box with start and finish points, high points, accommodation, and refreshment options, perfect for planning your Haute Route adventure.
• Covers essential planning, fitness, equipment, travel, public transport, mountain safety, and accommodation in high mountain huts, village inns, and campsites, as well as guidance on wildlife, plants, and local customs.
• Practical advice is included for condensing the trek into 12 day-long stages, allowing fit and experienced walkers to complete the route in less time if needed.

Plan your adventure along the Walker’s Haute Route with the definitive Cicerone guidebook and discover a legendary trek, where every pass offers a new panorama, and the spirit of Alpine exploration accompanies you from Chamonix to Zermatt.

Walker’s Haute Route - Chamonix to Zermatt: Quick Facts

Location: Pennine Alps, France and Switzerland
Number of stages: 14 stages (12-stage option also available)
Distance: 215km (134 miles)
Duration: 14 days (can be condensed to 12 days); daily stages 9–20km (6–12 miles)
Areas covered: Chamonix, Argentière, Trient, Champex, Verbier, Arolla, Zinal, Gruben, St Niklaus, Zermatt
Route type: High mountain paths, alpine meadows, forest trails, classic valley alternatives, and the Europaweg
Difficulty: Demanding long-distance trek, suitable for experienced alpine walkers
Terrain: Alpine passes (up to 11 crossings), glacial valleys, wildflower meadows, forests, rocky corries, tarns, and traditional villages
Navigation: 1:50,000 mapping, detailed route descriptions, free downloadable GPX tracks
Best season: Mid-July to mid-September (mountain huts open mid-June to mid-September)
Highlights: Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Europaweg, 4000m peaks, exquisite tarns, wild valleys, marmots and ibex, classic alpine villages
Equipment: Sturdy mountain footwear, weatherproof clothing, trekking poles, and standard alpine gear
Accommodation: Mountain huts, village inns, hotels, and campsites along the route
 

Author Highlight

"Chamonix to Zermatt, Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn – a recipe for a visual feast! To walk from one to the other is to sample that feast in full measure; a gourmet extravaganza of scenic wonders from first day till last, and each one (to carry the metaphor to its limit) a course that both satisfies and teases the palate for more. The Walker’s Haute Route does just that. In two weeks of mountain travel you will be witness to the greatest collection of 4000m peaks in all the Alps and visit some of the most spectacular valleys.” 

- Kev Reynolds, author of Trekking Chamonix to Zermatt

Mountain safety

Overview map

Map key

Route summary table

Preface

Introduction

The Walker’s Haute Route

Getting there and back again

Accommodation

When to go

Notes for walkers

Not enough time?

Equipment

Languages

Paths and waymarks

Safety in the mountains

Wildlife and plants

Maps

Recommended apps

Using this guide

Chamonix to Zermatt

Stage 1 Chamonix – Argentière

Stage 2 Argentière – Col de Balme – Trient

Stage 3 Trient – Fenêtre d’Arpette – Champex

Stage 3A Trient – Col de la Forclaz – Alp Bovine – Champex

Stage 4 Champex – Sembrancher – Le Châble

Stage 5 Le Châble – Clambin – Cabane du Mont Fort

Stage 5A Le Châble (Les Ruinettes) – Col Termin – Cabane de Louvie

Stage 6 Cabane du Mont Fort – Col Termin – Col de Louvie – Col de Prafleuri – Cabane de Prafleuri

Stage 7 Cabane de Prafleuri – Col des Roux – Pas de Chèvres – Arolla

Stage 8 Arolla – Lac Bleu – Les Haudères – La Sage

Stage 9 La Sage – Col du Tsaté – Cabane de Moiry

Stage 9A La Sage – Col de Torrent – Barrage de Moiry/Grimentz

Stage 10 Cabane de Moiry – Col de Sorebois – Zinal

Stage 10A Barrage de Moiry – Col de Sorebois – Zinal

Stage 11 Zinal – Forcletta – Gruben

Stage 11A Zinal – Hôtel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola

Stage 11B Hôtel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola – Meidpass – Gruben

Stage 12 Gruben – Augstbordpass – St Niklaus

Stage 12A St Niklaus – Gasenried

Stage 13 Gasenried – Europa Hut

Stage 14 Europa Hut – Täschalp – Zermatt

Stage 13A/14A St Niklaus – Täsch – Zermatt

Appendix A Walks from Zermatt

Appendix B Climbing from Zermatt

Appendix C Useful contacts

Appendix D Bibliography

Appendix E Glossary

Seasons

Alpine summer walking, so mid-June to mid-September; snow could remain on higher passes well into July.

Centres

Chamonix, Argentière, Trient, Champex, Sembrancher, Le Chable, Verbier, Arolla, Les Haudères, La Sage, Zinal, Gruben, St Niklaus, Zermatt

Difficulty

225km, 11 passes and 14,000m of ascent make this a fairly tough trek; high alpine mountain walking, some sharp cols

Must See

Mont Blanc and Chamonix's Aiguilles, Grand Combin, the Grand Desért, the fabulous Vals d'Hérens and Moiry, the Twära view of the Dom, Weisshorn, the view of the Matterhorn on the approach to Zermatt

June 2022

Route alterations during 2022

June 2022

Closure of Europaweg and new route

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