High Alps Traverse from Chamonix to Zermatt
Hiking the Haute Route
Overview
The celebrated Haute Route is a high-level hike from Chamonix, France, to Zermatt, Switzerland. This is where the sport of mountaineering was born in the 19th century, and just a glance at the 360-degree panorama explains why: 10 of the 12 most famous peaks in the Alps, including Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, rise along this magnificent “high route.” In seven hiking days, our journey brings a crossing of seven dramatic passes—including the Col de Torrent (9,567'), with its majestic panoramas. Our team of expert Trip Leaders makes this a wonderfully fun mountain adventure with their local knowledge and passion for what they do.
Arrive: Chamonix, France
Depart: Zermatt, Switzerland
Highlights
- Experience one of Europe's great long-distance hikes—done right!
- Hike to remote alpine hamlets and verdant meadows amid the highest peaks in the Alps
- Savor classic views of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and other giants of the Alps
- Enjoy a team of Trip Leaders who bring camaraderie and fun to each hiking day
Itinerary
Heading out of the famous mountain town of Chamonix, we ascend alpine meadows past grazing cows to reach the Col de Balme (7,201'), a gentle mountain pass that marks the French-Swiss frontier. From Switzerland’s Col de la Forclaz (5,010'), we’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Rhône Valley on our descent to Champex. Our crossing of the Col des Roux (9,199') reveals many legendary alpine summits and glaciers of the Valais Alps. Crossing the Pas des Chèvres, we descend to Arolla (6,581'), a tiny village at the foot of several glaciers in the Val d’Arolla.
We enter the ancient Valais Canton, where some locals still wear traditional Valais dress while working in the hay meadows. Crossing the Col de Torrent brings us to the Val d’Hérens, a wonderfully wild area with stunning views, including the towering limestone pyramid of the Dent Blanche (14,290'), the emblematic peak of the Val d’Hérens. Crossing the Meidpass (9,154'), we enter German-speaking Switzerland, with a long descent past lovely alpine Meidsee Lake to the remote hamlet of Gruben in the peaceful Turtmanntal Valley.
After our climb to the top of Augstbordpass (9,495'), our final pass, we catch a cable car and local train to car-free Zermatt. This unique mountain village, surrounded by glaciers and a dozen 13,000-foot peaks, is steeped in the lore of alpinism and dominated by the Matterhorn. Depart on Day 8.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 5, Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 10 miles a day, being on your feet for up to 8 hours a day for several days in a row, and hiking on uneven surfaces with long descents that can be hard on the knees. While no climbing or mountaineering experience is necessary, all trip members should have ample hiking experience and be able to keep up with the group as there are no alternative hiking options available. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 8 miles
- 6 hours
- 2,500-3,000 feet gain/loss
- Altitudes range from 6,000 to 9,000 feet
- Day 4: 10 miles, 7-8 hours, 2,700 feet gain, and 3,000 feet loss; includes ladders needed to get over a pass
At lower elevations, the trails are usually packed dirt, but at higher elevations they are often much rockier, with occasional sections of glacial snow, loose scree, and large boulders. On some days, you will encounter sections of narrow, exposed trails. You will also occasionally need to use your hands to scramble over and between a jumble of boulders. Your experienced mountain guides are there to assist you if needed.
Temperatures are likely to reach the 60s°F and 70s°F during the day, with cool breezes and occasional rain. At night the temperature will drop quite a bit, depending on the altitude. The months we run these trips have the optimal weather conditions, but still can be fickle. It can range from blue skies to cloudy, wet, and cold conditions, making rain gear and warm garments necessary items to carry with you on every hike. The early-season departures may encounter snow on the trails.
Our accommodations are in small, comfortable hotels and inns. While they are clean and well located, they are not always of uniform size or amenities. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. In two of the hotels, there are shared bathrooms (no private baths). Single rooms are offered when possible, but those who pay the Single Supplement may have to share a room for up to two nights during the trip.
Lunch will usually be in a mountain lodge or at a picnic spot amidst the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Most evening meals will be taken at our hotels and will be hearty, nourishing mountain fare, often with the cuisine the region is known for. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meals will be at 7:30 pm.
Our support vehicle will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transfering that day).
Client Testimonials
"Another great WT adventure! Great combination of demanding hikes, beautiful vistas, good food and drink, and great travel companions. We were fortunate to have three accomplished leaders, any of whom could have led the trip on their own."
Bob F.
Bethesda, MD
"This was truly an outstanding trip, and I look forward to another Wilderness Travel trip in the very near future. Great guides and great individuals that we traveled with. So much fun!"
Chris C.
Salisbury, MD
"Couldn’t have asked for a better trip! Amazing terrain, great wildflowers and food, and great leaders and group"
Dan B.
Tucson, AZ
"It was the trip of a lifetime. I loved every moment of it!"
Helen M.
Short Hills, NJ
"A wonderful trip. WT consistently impresses me with their level of service. Most importantly, the guides are superior to any other service I've used. You feel completely at ease and supported by their level of professionalism."
Marisa V.
San Francisco, CA
"All the logistics for the trip were seamless. The scenery along the hiking routes was spectacular, the guides were terrific, and the overall experience was great!"
Mark J.
New York, NY
"A wonderful route with terrific hiking every day, and a perfect level of difficulty. We particularly loved our exceptional, supportive guides."
Richard L.
Berkeley, CA
"The trip was fantastic in every way. I would not change a thing."
Rita S.
St. Simons Island, GA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.