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Hiking the Haute Route
Private Guided or Self-Guided Departures Available July to Mid-September

Trip Overview

The Hiker's Haute Route is one of the world's classic treks.  The Route was established almost a hundred years ago, first as a ski route.  It was later developed into a high-level hike.  The hike connects the two famous birth places of mountaineering in the Alps,  Chamonix and Zermatt, each with its own fascinating history.  The Route connecting these busy Alpine centers of activity contains numerous quaint and quiet villages, which you'll pass through.  You'll have glimpses into two countries (France and Switzerland), as well as into two linguistic areas (French and German) of the Swiss canton of Valais.  You'll get to see an amazing array of over four thousand meter peaks on this trek, which culminates with the Matterhorn in Zermatt, that most hypnotic of mountains.

You will have the opportunity to experience this incredible landscape on foot.  Luggage transfer between countries and locations on this route is extremely expensive for self-guided adventures, so you'll need to carry everything you need for the duration.  Given the high level of services provided at huts and hotels, you will be able to keep your pack light.  You will have the opportunity to send a bag ahead to greet you in Zermatt, and we'll provide instructions on how to do this.  We have outlined a 13-stage itinerary below.  However, there are variations available that consist of 11 or 14 stages, or abbreviated versions using some public transportation.  We also offer this trip on a guided basis for groups.

Welcome to one of the world's great adventures!

Highlights

• Challenging classic hike linking Chamonix and Zermatt, the two birth places of mountaineering in the Alps
• Awesome views encompassing beautiful mountains, lakes, ibex, wildflowers and glaciers
• Charming hotels/guest houses and convivial high mountain huts
• Remote farming villages
• Crossing linguistic and cultural borders

Cost:

Please contact us for a quote for your private guided or self-guided trip.

Itinerary

Day 1

Travel to the hotel in Chamonix in France.  Spend time exploring this charming, internationally famous town set in a spectacular setting.  Stroll around town, visit the Alpine Museum, take a warm-up hike, or simply relax in one of the many sidewalk cafes.

Day 2/Stage 1:  Chamonix – Argentiere  

9 km; 2 hours; 214 m. gain  

Your Haute Route trek starts out with a pleasant valley walk with one or two small climbs.  You'll begin to leave the crowds of Chamonix behind and pass through woods and across open glades with a view of the stunning Mer de Glace glacier.  You'll spend the night in the village of Argentiere.  

Overnight in a guest house with shared facilities.  

Day 3/Stage 2:  Argentiere - Col De Balme – Trient (Switzerland)  

12 km; 5 – 5 1/2 hours; 953m gain; 925 m loss  

Two big events take place simultaneously today:  your first pass crossing and your entry into Switzerland.  After leaving Argentiere you climb up to Col de Balme.  The views back to Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc are a treat.  At the Col you will cross the border into Switzerland, where you'll remain for the rest of the trek.  You'll spend the night in the village of Trient, which is very French in architecture and atmosphere, despite its Swiss location.  

Day 4/Stage 3:  Trient – Fenetre d'Arpette – Champex.  (Bad Weather Alternative:   Trient – Col de la Forclaz – Alp Bovine – Champex)  

14 km; 6 ½ - 7 hours; 1386 m gain; 1199 m loss; Alternative: 16 km; 5 1/2 hours; 876 m gain

657 m loss  

The high mountain pass crossing of the Fenetre d'Arpette is one of the most exciting and demanding of the Haute Route.  The contrast of wild wilderness and lovely meadows will delight you today.  Tonight is spent in the lakeside resort of Champex.  

Overnight in hotel.

Day 5/Stage 4:  Champex – Sembrancher – Le Chable  

13 km; 3 ½ - 4 hours; 749 m loss; 104 m gain  

The footpaths will become less traveled today as the route departs from the Tour du Mont Blanc route.  The first part of today's trek starts with a pleasant downhill walk through a valley.  You'll pass through villages and hamlets that are typical Swiss farm communities and definitely off the tourist track.  You spend tonight in the regional capital of Le Chable.  

Overnight in hotel.  

Day 6/Stage 5:  Le Chable – Clambin – Cabane du Mont Fort  

9 km; 6 – 6 ½ hours; 1636 m gain  

There is an unexpectedly nice route that allows hikers to avoid the steep road up to Verbier and much of the ski area. The route includes some charming villages, a chapel, forest sections, high pastures and great views.  

You can also avoid the steep uphill today by taking a public bus up to Verbier hiking from town, and, if you'd like to take it easy, a lift almost all the remaining distance to the hut.  

Overnight in hut.  

Day 7/Stage 6:  Cabane du Mont Fort – Col Termin – Col de Louvie – Col de Prafleuri – Cabane Prafleuri.  (Bad Weather Alternative: Cabane du Mont Fort – Col de la Chaux – Col de Louvie – Col de Prafleuri – Cabane Prafleuri)  

14 km; 6 – 6 ½ hours; 885 m gain; 740 m loss; Alternative: 10 km; 5 ½ hours; 885 m gain; 740 m loss

This stage is varied with ever-changing views.  Initially, there are grand panoramas.  As you hike along the high belvedere trail to Col Termin the Combin massif prevails.  If you are lucky and quiet you might see an ibex here.  On the eastern side of Col de Louvie you'll see large areas of scree and barren wilderness.  

Overnight in hut.  

Day 8/Stage 7:  Cabane de Prafleuri -  Col des Roux – Col de Riedmatten – Arolla   

16 km; 6 ½ hours; 735 m gain; 1353 loss  

Today you'll enjoy walking from the starker landscape of Prafleuri on the pleasant path to Arolla.  The first col of the day, Col des Roux, presents you with a beautiful view of Val des Dix with its lake, fields and mountains.  The mountains draw closer as you cross Col de Riedmatten and then descend to Arolla.  

Overnight in hotel.  

Day 9/Stage 8:  Arolla – Lac Bleu – Les Hauderes – La Sage  

10 km; 4 hours; 554 m loss; 215 m gain  

This is a shorter stage, whose length is determined by the lack of accommodations during the initial part of the next stage.  The walk past Lac Bleu with the views back the way you have come is lovely.   There is also a small hamlet where you can buy fresh milk and cheese.  

Overnight in hotel.  

Day 10/Stage 9:  La Sage – Col du Tsate  - Cabane De Moiry   

10 km; 5 – 5 ½ hours; 1617 m gain; 459 m loss  

The Val de Moiry is a small and scenic valley, which is reached by crossing the rocky Col du Tsate.  The Cabane de Moiry stands on a rocky knoll overlooking the Moiry Glacier in a spectacular location.  The challenging final approach to the hut is well worth it for the view that the hut provides.  

Overnight in hut.  

Day 11/Stage 10:  Cabane de Moiry – Col de Sorebois – Zinal   

14 km; 5-5 ½ hours; 455 m gain; 1605 m loss  

Following the descent from the Cabane de Moiry a wonderful trail follows the hillside above Lac de Moiry.  This area is noted for its alpine flowers and also the frequent presence of chamois and ibex.  After crossing the Col de Sorebois you'll experience the most difficult part of the day, a long steep descent through the woods into Zinal.  

Overnight in hotel.  

Day 12/Stage 11:  Zinal – Forcletta – Gruben    

14 km; 5 ½ - 6 hours; 1199 m gain; 1052 m loss  

Today you will cross another border – this time from the French- to the German-speaking part of the Valais into the little known Turtmanntal.  The Forcletta crossing offers wonderful views. The village of Gruben, which is also known as Meiden, is your stopping point for tonight.  

Overnight in hotel with shared facilities.  

Day 13/Stage 12:  Gruben – Augstbordpass – St. Niklaus  

16 km; 7 ½ hours; 1072 m gain; 1767 loss  

Today's walk combines one of the finest hikes of the Haute Route with fascinating history.  The Augstbordpass, which links the Turtmanntal with the Mattertal, was used in the Middle Ages onward as an important trading route between the Rhone valley and Italy.  Experiencing the final pass of the Haute Route is a highlight of the trek.  The Matterhorn is still hiding at this point but other high peaks such as the Dom are in view as the Mattertal itself appears as a deep, green cleft.  

Overnight in hotel.  

Day 14/Stage 13:  St. Niklaus – Taesch – Zermatt   

18 km; 5 ½ hours; 479 gain  

There are hamlets and villages, ancient hay barns, meadows, the river along the way today, and the reward at the end – the view of the Matterhorn.  If your eagerness to reach Zermatt and see the Matterhorn gets the better of you, you can board the train to Zermatt at several points along the way.  

Overnight in hotel.  

Day 15  

After breakfast, your grand trek is over, but your adventure can continue if you wish.  You might choose to stay in Zermatt for some summer skiing on the glacier or other wonderful local walks.  Perhaps a visit to the Alpine Museum is in order to learn more about the great tradition in which you have taken part.

Please bear in mind that this is a sample itinerary.  We would be delighted to develop a custom proposal for an adventure that is just right for your needs. 

Call us toll free (U.S.) at 866-533-4361 or

+203-840-0295 (outside the U.S.)

info@bredeson.com