Full Walker's Haute Route

Duration: 12 days
Trails: T3 trails
Distance: More than 20 km per day
Ascent per day: More than 1000 m ascent per day

> Cross 11 mountain passes, cover 200 kilometers of trails
> Spend the nights in Mountain Huts and local Hotels
> Start in Chamonix, end in Zermatt

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. Chamonix is also known as a starting point for the Tour du Mont Blanc. Unlike the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Walker's Haute Route doesn't go round. It does feature a part of the route of the TMB. Up until Swiss Champex and via Trient, the route follows some stages of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

This 12-day route then continues further into Switzerland, via Le Châble, Mont Fort, Prafleuri, Arolla, and La Sage. Along the way, the trek offers an unprecedented world of contrasts. Glaciers and snow-capped peaks are guaranteed, but you can also expect beautifully lush green valleys, alpine meadows, and the most picturesque Alpine villages. Cross the Rösti curtain, the symbolic border between French and German-speaking Switzerland between Zinal and Gruben. The final stages via St. Niklaus and the Europa Hütte bring you to one of the most iconic peaks of the Alps, the Matterhorn, and to that other mountaineering capital: Zermatt.

Itinerary

Day
1

Chamonix to Trient

Duration: 09:05 h
Distance: 23.6 km
Ascent: 1320 m
Descent: 1070 m
The first stage of the Walker's Haute Route is an excellent introduction to Alps trekking. You'll make your way up the reasonably easy Col de Balme before descending steeply to the small hamlet of Le Peuty. Continue on the road from Le Peuty for 10 - 15 minutes until you reach Trient, which has a charming pink church.

Auberge Mont Blanc

Info
Auberge Mont Blanc
Day
2

Trient to Champex

Duration: 05:45 h
Distance: 13.9 km
Ascent: 910 m
Descent: 750 m
The second stage of the Walker's Haute Route is the most difficult but also rewarding of the entire walk. En route to Champex, you'll pass through the well-known Fenêtre d'Arpette. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Trient Glacier, but be cautious on the initial descent from the pass's summit. Spend an evening unwinding in Champex, a charming lakeside village. In addition to the Fenêtre d'Arpette path described above, an alternate 'Alp Bovine' route is available for Stage 2. This route follows the same track as the Tour du Mont Blanc and is a good alternative in bad weather because it does not reach the heights or exposed character of the Fenêtre d'Arpette. It is nonetheless a beautiful hike.

Relais D'Arpette

Info
Relais D'Arpette
Day
3

Champex to Le Châble

Duration: 08:35 h
Distance: 22.1 km
Ascent: 1070 m
Descent: 1870 m
Stage three is mellow throughout, which is a wonderful break after yesterday's intense hike. You'll leave Champex and make your way downhill to Sembrancher. You'll have a short hike next to farmland before arriving to Le Chable, your destination for the evening.

Hotel L'Escale (Le Châble)

Info
Hotel L'Escale (Le Châble)
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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

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Annemiek Meulenbeld
Annemiek Meulenbeld

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