Eastern Walker's Haute Route

Duration: 5 days
Trails: T3 trails
Distance: More than 20 km per day
Ascent per day: More than 1000 m ascent per day

> Start in La Sage and complete the Eastern Part of the Walkers Haute Route
> Cross breathtaking mountain passes in Switzerland
> Spend the nights in Mountain Huts and local Hotels

The Walkers Haute Route connects two of the most well-known mountain towns in the Alps - Chamonix, France, and Zermatt, Switzerland. Typically starting from Mont Blanc and finishing at Matterhorn, it crosses 11 mountain passes, covering about 200 kilometers - offering a multitude of variations and route options. Our 6-day trek leads you through the eastern half of the Walkers Haute Route, starting in La Sage, Switzerland and ending in Zermatt, Switzerland.

This 6-day trekking is designed for those who don't have the legs or the time to do the full Walkers Haute Route. Along the way, you will spend the nights in Swiss mountain huts and local Hotels. During this 5-day adventure, you'll enjoy stunning mountain views, snow-capped peaks and walk through small picturesque villages. You don't have to worry about the logistics of booking the huts. We'll take care of that for you, so all you have to do is enjoy this unforgettable adventure.

Itinerary

Day
1

From La Sage to Zinal

Duration: 08:20 h
Distance: 21.9 km
Ascent: 1780 m
Descent: 1780 m
The first stage involves a lot of climbing, as you can tell by the elevation change. You'll leave La Sage and begin the hard ascent a little over 4 kilometers northwest of the Col du Tsaté, which will lead you into the breathtaking Val de Moiry. After descending into the valley, you'll reach Cabane Barrage de Moiry over a steep and rather exposed portion. When you continue, you reach the Col de Sorebois and will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding Alps. The descent then passes through a ski area (with the option of taking the cable car down*) before reaching Zinal, a ski resort town.

Hotel Besso (Zinal)

Info
Hotel Besso (Zinal)
Day
2

Zinal to Gruben

Duration: 07:40 h
Distance: 22 km
Ascent: 1330 m
Descent: 1170 m
On stage 10 of the Walker's Haute Route, you'll cross the 'Rosti Line,' Switzerland's unofficial border between French and German-speaking districts. The trip is hard, but nothing compared to some of the more difficult stages you've already completed. The Forcletta pass is the day's high point, and from there you'll descend into the peaceful village of Gruben. Stage 10 also includes the option of spending the night at the Hotel Weisshorn or Cabane Bella Tola. This adds a day to your Walker's Haute Route schedule, but many folks find it worthwhile. Instead of crossing the Forcletta, you'll continue along the mountain shoulder before arriving at the Hotel Weisshorn. You can also go on if you want to stay at the gorgeous Cabane Bella Tola. Those who choose this path will cross the Meidpass the next day (Stage 11) before resuming the main Walker's Haute Route in Gruben.

Hotel Schwarzhorn (Gruben)

Info
Hotel Schwarzhorn (Gruben)
Day
3

Gruben to St. Niklaus/Gasenried

Duration: 07:10 h
Distance: 17.5 km
Ascent: 1070 m
Descent: 1800 m
Stage 11 takes hikers on the Walker's Haute Route over their final mountain crossing and into the Mattertal valley, where Zermatt is located. The descent from the top of the Augstbordpass offers breathtaking views of the Alps beyond. When you arrive in the charming village of Jungen, you can take a cable car down into St. Niklaus to rest a little. If you want to continue your Walker's Haute Route journey by hiking the Europaweg trail, we recommend either hiking or catching the local bus from St. Niklaus to the town of Gasenried, which is just up the hill. If you can't find a place to stay in Gasenried, travel a little further to the village of Grachen. This will save you a tough start to the following stage and set you up for a fantastic final two days on the Europaweg to complete the Walker's Haute Route!

Hotel Heimatlodge (St. Niklaus)

Info
Hotel Heimatlodge (St. Niklaus)
See entire itinerary

Included

  • Booking the huts

    We will take care of arranging accommodation on the Walkers Haute Route for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead.

  • Full travel guide

    We will send you on your way with a digital travel guide that includes a route description for the Walkers Haute Route, interactive hiking maps, and the most important information applicable to your trek

  • Hotels, Hostels or Huts

    We arrange your accommodation on the Walkers Haute Route in hotels, hostels or huts along the way. We have selected accommodations on our trek based on the length of each stage and recommendations from hikers who have gone before us on the Walkers Haute Route.

  • Half-board

    Accommodation at the huts includes dinner and breakfast. We will arrange this for you as well. This allows you to travel lighter and have one less thing to worry about. Bear in mind that lunch is not included, but it can be purchased at the huts. Here you can also buy an array of snacks and bottled water.

  • Breakfast in Hotels

    In the Hotels, we include Breakfast for you. Bear in mind that lunch and dinner are not included, but they can be most of the time purchased in or near the hotels.

Excluded

  • Traveling to and from

    You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.

  • Transfers

    Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas etc.

  • Travel Insurance

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

FAQ

  • Where Is the Walker's Haute Route?

  • Is the Walker's Haute Route For Me?

  • What Is the Best Season for Hiking the Walkers Haute Route?

How to Book

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  • Cancellation policy

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Annemiek Meulenbeld
Annemiek Meulenbeld

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