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
June 2022
Route alterations during 2022
Please check locally before changing plans as some of these routing changes may be resolved during the summer. Probably only the Sentier des Chamois closure on Stage 6 may cause a re-plan, and there are several work arounds for that.
If you have better information ion these, or more seasonal updates that we can pass on to trekkers please let us know by email to updates@cicerone.co.uk or using the contact form on the cicerone.co.uk website.
The alternative descent into Trient via Catogne on Stage 2 is now rerouted to descend directly to La Peuty.
On Stage 6 the very fine Sentier des Chamois path after the Cabane de Mont Fort is closed and the alternative route takes the harder Col des Chaux. Alternatively take the lower route from near the La Chaux cable car and join the path later, or use the Cabane de Louvie route (Stage 5A) or make the ascent to Louvie from Fionnay.
There are re-routings across the glacier after the Dix hut on Stage 7. The direct route to Arolla avoids any difficulties.
There are path re-routings below the Twara viewpoint on Stage 12 after the Augstbordpass.
June 2022
Closure of Europaweg and new route
The Europaweg is now closed between Grächen and the Europahütte. This was an exposed route, prone to rockfall from above and to many trekkers, rather scary. Treemendous, but scary.
The visit to the hut allows a last high-level overnight and the crossing of the fantastic 400metre Charles Kuonen suspension bridge and is still recommended.
The new route options are set down in the latest (seventh) edition – ISBN 978 178631 138 2. These updates therefore cover previous editions of the C-Z guide.
To overnight at the EuropeHütte, there are two options:
Either take the valley route to Herbriggen and then climb to the Europehütte. This is our preferred option. (Stage 13). Its also possible to continue upvalley to Randa and make the 2hr, 800m climb from there, passing the new suspension bridge.
Or, overnight in Grächen and take the descending route to Herbriggen and then the new route to the Europahütte. (Stage 13B)
The direct one-day route through the Zermatt is described in Stage 13A/14A. This is unchanged from previous books.
See download below for stages 12A, 13 and 13B.
September 2021
Chalet les Ecureuils
Chamonix to Zermatt (6th edition, pb 2019)
p125 – Arolla Please note that the tel number and website for the Chalet les Ecureuils have changed to: 027 283 23 61, https://arolla.net/les-ecureuils/
January 2020
Hotel Update
p115: Hotel du Barrage has 60 places, meals provided. www.hotel-barrage.ch
Contact: Hotel du Barrage, le Chargeur, 1987 Heremence, Switzerland Tel: 027 281 13 22
July 2019
Route Updates
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)
