Chamonix to Zermatt

Guidebook to the Walker's Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. The 225km route typically takes 2 weeks to walk. Described in 14 stages, the route crosses 11 passes between Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn and involves more than 14,000m of ascent and descent. A complete guide for planning and walking the route, with accommodation information.

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; final 2-day section on Europaweg is challenging and exposed, with some parts protected by cables and a 500m suspension bridge to cross

Must See

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

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Overview

A guidebook to the classic Chamonix to Zermatt trek from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. The 225km Walker's Haute Route through the French and Swiss Alps crosses 11 passes, gains more than 14,000m in height and is a strong contender for the title of Most Beautiful Walk in Europe. The high-level route is described in 14 day stages, with optional variants, and is suitable for walkers with a good level of fitness and some previous alpine trekking experience. The final approach to Zermatt adopts the dramatic Europaweg, a high-level traverse of the east wall of the Mattertal, crossing the 500-metre suspension bridge above Randa. An alternative valley route to Zermatt can be taken if this does not appeal. Alongside clear route descriptions and mapping for each stage of the trek, there is essential practical information on travel to Chamonix and return from Zermatt, as well as advice on accommodation in alpine villages and mountain refuges, trekking safety, equipment, itinerary planning and preparation. Taking 2 weeks to complete, this challenging but rewarding trek encompasses views of the greatest collection of 4000 metre peaks in the Alps - Mont Blanc, the Grand Combin, Dent Blanche, Weisshorn and the Matterhorn - and visits some of the most spectacular valleys, including the Val d'Hérens, Val d'Annivers and the Mattertal.

Contents

Contents
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

Updates

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July 2019

In 2019 the first part of the Europaweg has been closed between Grat and Galenberg, so the route cannot be completed this way. It may stay this way for some time, and the revisions
will continue whilst a new path is created, but may be long-term.

Please go to our download tab which has the gpx files plus seperate file with the alternative route choices.

August 2019

The ‘valley‘ route from St Niklaus to Zermatt.

A new route between St Niklaus and Mattsand was created as a vital bridge was missing due to work on the Blattbach. (A torrent coming down from the mountain above). There is now a splendid new bridge, which means that the new route description from St Niklaus is much easier, and as follows:

From the station, walk down to the village square and turn right, then immediately left down a narrow street to the old main road. Turn right and walk upvalley almost to the outskirts of the village (300 metres) just before a roundabout with a giant ‘St Niklaus’, where you turn to the right onto a minor road ‘Birchmatten’ heading slightly uphill.

The way now follows what is apparently the ‘old’ road through the valley, bringing you alongside the railway line and passing some typical old Valaisian houses, as well as more modern buildings based on traditional architectural styles. In 20min come to a group of old buildings and a small chapel; this is ZE SCHWIDERNU (1163m). Continue ahead for 700 metres, to cross the Blattbach stream which cascades from the right, with the Topali Hut seen as a tiny silver box perched on a cliff 1400m above. In 40mins arrive in

MATTSAND (1227m, 40mins)

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Sample route

GPX files

July19Europawegupdate

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