Eastern Walker's Haute Route - Including accommodation before and after

Duration: 7 days
Trails: T3 trails
Distance: More than 20 km / 12 mi per day
Ascent per day: More than 1000 m / 3281 ft ascent per day

> Start in La Sage and complete the Eastern Part of the Walkers Haute Route
> Spend the nights in Mountain Huts and local Hotels
> Accommodation in La Sage and Zermatt before and after the trek included

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 8-day package leads you through the eastern half of the Walkers Haute Route, starting in La Sage and ending in Zermatt, Switzerland. This is basically the same package as this 6-day itinerary but with a hotel in La Sage and in Zermatt. Along the way, you will spend the nights in Swiss mountain huts and local Hotels. During this 6-day adventure, you'll enjoy stunning mountain views, snow-capped peaks, and walk through small picturesque mountain 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

Arrival in La Sage

Welcome to Switzerland! Today you will arrive in La Sage and be expected in a pleasant Hotel in the city. Your overnight stay includes breakfast.

Hotel de la Sage (La Sage)

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Hotel de la Sage (La Sage)
Day
2

La Sage to Zinal

Duration: 10:35 h
Distance: 22.1 km / 13.7 mi
Ascent: 1840 m / 6037 ft
Descent: 1820 m / 5971 ft
This stage starts with a steady climb from La Sage to the Col de Torrent, offering wide views of the surrounding peaks. You then descend to the turquoise Lac de Moiry and follow the trail to the Cabane Barrage de Moiry, a perfect spot for a break. From there, the route climbs again to the Col de Sorebois with sweeping alpine views, followed by a descent through a ski area into the mountain village of Zinal.

Hôtel Le Besso (Zinal)

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Hôtel Le Besso (Zinal)
Day
3

Zinal to Gruben

Duration: 07:25 h
Distance: 17 km / 10.6 mi
Ascent: 1190 m / 3904 ft
Descent: 1040 m / 3412 ft
On this stage of the Walker’s Haute Route, you’ll cross the “Röstigraben”—Switzerland’s informal boundary between French- and German-speaking regions. The route is moderately challenging, though less demanding than some of the previous stages. You’ll make your way up to the Forcletta pass, the high point of the day, before descending into the quiet alpine village of Gruben.

Hotel Schwarzhorn (Gruben)

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Hotel Schwarzhorn (Gruben)
Day
4

Gruben to St. Niklaus/Gasenried

Duration: 09:00 h
Distance: 17.5 km / 10.9 mi
Ascent: 1070 m / 3510 ft
Descent: 1810 m / 5938 ft
Today's stage 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 have a short break. 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)

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Hotel Heimatlodge (St. Niklaus)
Day
5

St. Niklaus/Gasenried to Europahütte

Duration: 07:45 h
Distance: 17.9 km / 11.1 mi
Ascent: 1880 m / 6168 ft
Descent: 720 m / 2362 ft
The Europaweg trail is a two-day hike that completes the Walker’s Haute Route. It includes some exposed sections but is a spectacular way to finish your journey. After leaving Gasenried, the trail climbs steadily along the mountainside, with wide views over the valley below. Along the way, you'll cross a suspension bridge before reaching the Europa Hut. The path can be rocky in places, but the dramatic setting makes for a rewarding and memorable stage.

Europa Hut

Info
Europa Hut
Day
6

Europahütte to Zermatt

Duration: 08:00 h
Distance: 23.4 km / 14.5 mi
Ascent: 810 m / 2657 ft
Descent: 1470 m / 4823 ft

The final stage of the Walker's Haute Route will take you across the world's longest suspension bridge, the famed and stunning Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge. While this is undoubtedly the highlight of the journey, don't forget to take in the breathtaking vistas of the Matterhorn as you make your way to Zermatt. As you near the end of the trip, you'll find yourself among Zermatt's many ski slopes and the increasing number of tourists who come there. Enjoy a final descent before congratulating yourself on an amazing accomplishment in Zermatt!

Note: A short section of the Europaweg trail has been rerouted due to previous trail maintenance work. The detour is well-marked, keeps the route safe, and allows continued access to the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge. Please note that this variation makes the stage slightly longer.

Le Petit CHARME-INN (Zermatt)

Info
Le Petit CHARME-INN (Zermatt)
Day
7

Departure

After breakfast, you can check out. This is the end of your Walker's Haute Route. We hope to see you again soon. Greetings!
See entire itinerary
Contact our Trekking Expert
Sanne Bakema
Sanne Bakema

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

    You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Walkers Haute Route. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.

  • 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.

  • Navigation support

    Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.

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, ferries, etc.

  • Lunch

    Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.

  • 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

  • Is the Walker's Haute Route For Me?

  • What Is the Best Season for Hiking the Walker's Haute Route?

  • Getting to and from

  • What if the dates I want are not available?

  • If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?

  • How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

  • Booking

  • Availability

  • Cancellation policy

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