Trekking Chamonix to Zermatt

Trekking Chamonix to Zermatt is the definitive guide to the Walker's Haute Route – a 14-stage, 215km traverse of the Pennine Alps connecting the world's two greatest mountaineering centres, with 14,500m of ascent and the summits of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn watching over every step.

The route crosses 11 high passes, almost one per day, through some of the finest alpine scenery in Europe. From Chamonix you climb over the Col de Balme into Switzerland and begin a traverse that takes you beneath the Grand Combin, along the shores of Lac des Dix, over the Col de Riedmatten to Arolla, and into the deeply cut valleys of the Val d'Hérens and Val d'Anniviers. The Europaweg – a true high-level traverse of the east wall of the Mattertal – forms a spectacular finale, with the 500m Charles Kuonen Hängebrücke, and an overnight stay in the Europahütte before the final walk into Zermatt. Nine alternative stages, including the Fenêtre d'Arpette, the Cabane des Dix and Cabane de Moiry overnights and the Meidpass variant, give experienced trekkers plenty of scope to personalise the route.

Chamonix is easily reached by rail from Geneva, Lausanne or Basle, with high-speed connections from across Europe, including Eurostar from London via Paris. Zermatt is served by regular valley trains connecting at Visp in the Rhône valley. Along the route, accommodation ranges from valley hotels and gîtes to Swiss Alpine Club (CAS) mountain huts, each providing good dinners, mountain camaraderie and an authentic piece of alpine life. A 12-day schedule is the norm, though itineraries for 10 and 14 days are provided throughout. The guide suits fit, experienced mountain walkers who are ready for a longer and higher-level challenge than the Tour of Mont Blanc.

• 14 main stages plus nine alternatives covering about 215km and 14,500m of ascent across 11 high passes. Flexible itineraries for 10, 12 or 14 days let you match the route to your schedule and fitness level.
• Iconic scenery at every turn: the soaring aiguilles of the Mont Blanc massif, the vast bulk of the Grand Combin, the Weisshorn dominating the second half of the trek, and the Matterhorn as a constant companion on the final approach to Zermatt. The Lac de Moiry icefall, the Cabane du Mont Fort belvedere and the deep pastoral valleys of the Val d'Hérens and Val d'Anniviers add variety between the high passes.
• Key challenges include the Fenêtre d'Arpette – a steep, scree-laden descent early in the trek – the remote Grand Désert crossing with three cols in a single day, the rocky Col de Riedmatten, and the high-level Europaweg finale with its 500m Charles Kuonen suspension bridge and overnight at the Europahütte.
• GPX files for all stages are available to download, with 1:50,000 stage maps and height profiles in the guide for every day on the trail.
• A stage facilities planner shows distances and times between accommodation, refreshments and transport points – essential for building your own itinerary. Full accommodation listings cover valley hotels, gîtes and Swiss Alpine Club (CAS) mountain huts, with booking advice for the busiest sections.
• Several stages follow Swiss National Walking Route 6 – The Alpine Passes Trail, one of Switzerland's great long-distance routes, so signage is reliable and waymarking consistent across the Swiss portion of the trek.

The Swiss Pennine Alps offer some of the most spectacular high-mountain scenery in Europe, and the Walker's Haute Route places you at the heart of it. Trekking Chamonix to Zermatt equips you fully – from planning tools and stage-by-stage maps to route alternatives and accommodation listings. Buy the guide and start planning your trek today.

Seasons

This is an alpine summer trek, best undertaken from mid-June to mid-September. Snow may remain on the higher passes well into July.

Centres

The route passes through a number of alpine towns and villages, including Chamonix, Argentière, Trient, Champex, Le Châble, Verbier, Arolla, Les Haudères, La Sage, Zinal, Gruben, St Niklaus and Zermatt.

Difficulty

At 215km with 11 passes and 14,000m of ascent, this is a fairly demanding trek involving high alpine mountain walking and remote passes. Some cols are steep and exposed, and the final section along the Europaweg is particularly challenging, with sections protected by cables and a 500m suspension bridge to cross.

Must See

The trek takes in the spectacular alpine scenery of Chamonix and Zermatt, with highlights including Mont Blanc and Chamonix’s Aiguilles, the Grand Combin, the Grand Désert, Lac des Dix, and the traditional villages of the Val d’Hérens, Zinal in the Val d’Anniviers, and the Moiry valley and lake. Other memorable sights include the view of the Dom from Täsch, the Weisshorn, and the dramatic approach to Zermatt with views of the Matterhorn.

Mountain safety

Map key

Route summary table

Overview profile and sample itineraries

Stage facilities planner

Preface

Introduction

The Walker’s Haute Route

Planning your trek

Planning resources in this guide

A linear route – with options

How many days?

Route choice

Tricky sections

Busy spots to book ahead

Camping

Zermatt to Chamonix?

Taking a rest day

Bad weather

Using this guide

Essential information

When to go

Weather in the Valais

Getting to and from the trail

Accommodation and booking

Staying in a mountain hut

Costs in the trail

Cash or card

Languages

Maps

Apps

Paths and waymarking

Training and acclimatisation

Equipment

Mountain safety

Top 10 tips

The Pennine Alps and Swiss Valais

History of the region

The origins of the Haute Route

Geology

Wildlife and flowers

Ten things to do in Zermatt

Chamonix to Zermatt

Stage 1 Chamonix to Argentière

Stage 2 Argentière to Trient

Route choices from Trient to Champex

Stage 3 Trient to Champex by the Fenêtre d’Arpette

Stage 3A Trient to Champex by Alp Bovine

Route choices between Champex and Prafleuri

Stage 4 Champex to Le Châble

Stage 5 Le Châble to the Cabane du Mont Fort

Stage 5A Les Ruinettes to the Cabane de Louvie

Stage 6 The Cabane du Mont Fort to the Cabane de Prafleuri

Stage 6A The Cabane de Louvie to the Cabane de Prafleuri

Stage 7 The Cabane de Prafleuri to Arolla by the Col de Riedmatten

Stage 8 Arolla to La Sage

Route choices from La Sage to Zinal

Stage 9 La Sage to the Cabane de Moiry by the Col du Tsaté

Stage 9A La Sage to Zinal by the Col de Torrent and the Barrage de Moiry

Stage 10 Cabane de Moiry to Zinal by the Corne de Sorebois

Route choices from Zinal to Gruben

Stage 11 Zinal to Gruben by the Forcletta

Stage 11A Zinal to Hôtel Weisshorn

Stage 11B Hôtel Weisshorn to Gruben by the Meidpass

Stage 12 Gruben to St Niklaus by the Augstbordpass

Route choices from St Niklaus to Zermatt

Getting to Grächen or Gasenried

Stage 13 Grächen to the Europahütte

Stage 13A St Niklaus to the Europahütte by Herbriggen/Randa

Stage 14 The Europahütte to Zermatt

Stage 14A Täsch to Zermatt by Täschalp

Stage 14B St Niklaus to Zermatt – valley route

Appendix A Accommodation

Appendix B Camping

Appendix C Useful contacts

Appendix D Further reading

Appendix E French – English – German glossary