A guidebook to the Walker’s Haute Route, a classic trek between Chamonix in France and Zermatt in Switzerland. Covering 215km (134 miles), this long-distance trek linking Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn takes around 2 weeks and is suitable for trekkers with Alpine experience.

The route is described west to east in 14 stages, each between 9 and 20km (6–12 miles) in length. The route takes in 11 passes and 14,000m of ascent, with several route alternatives included allowing you to select the itinerary that suits you.

• 1:50,000 mapping included for each stage
• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on mountain huts, facilities and refreshments along the route
• Advice on planning and preparation

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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