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The Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt is steeped in mountaineering legend, a route first taken by British climbers at the end of the 19th Century. We join this historic route from Siviez in Switzerland, where we are immediately immersed in the incredible mountain scenery. Skirting glaciers we ascend passes gaining breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, including the 4000m+ peaks of Dent Blanche, Zinalrothorn and Weisshorn. On reaching Zermatt we take in the instantly recognizable form of the Matterhorn and appreciate the scale of this mountain and its tumbling glaciers with a hike along the Hornli Ridge. Staying in a mixture of comfortable alpine huts, gîtes and hotels, we experience traditional European mountain culture and the camaraderie of our fellow travellers. Suitable for experienced trekkers, this route is rugged at times with considerable altitude gains of up to 1000 metres per day, and a high level of fitness is essential.
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22kg of CO2-e PP per day
(133kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Join Siviez, ascending through the Grand Desert to Cabane de Prafleuri (6 hrs)
Meet your guide and group in front of the Siviez cable car station at 9:15am and set off through the mountain pastures, accompanied by the distinctive bells of the Hérens cattle. The trail climbs towards the Cleuson Dam and its striking turquoise lake before continuing through the rocky landscapes of the Grand Désert. Your ascent finishes at Cabane de Prafleuri, where you’ll spend the night in a mountain hut. Distance: 16 km / 9.9 mi Elevation: +1200 m / 3937 ft, -350 m / 1148 ft Note: You will need to carry your overnight gear including clothing and toiletries for this night - your luggage will be transferred to the 2nd nights hut.
Meals: L,D
Day 2
Hike over the Riedmatten pass to Arolla (6 hrs)
Leaving Cabane de Prafleuri, follow the shores of the Grande Dixence reservoir towards Cabane des Dix, surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery. From here, the trail climbs towards the Riedmatten Pass before descending into the valley. Finish the day in the charming mountain village of Arolla. Distance: 18.7 km / 11.6 mi Elevation: +870 m / 2854 ft, -1550 m / 5085 ft
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Follow the ridge via Lac Bleu and La Gouille to Les Haudères (4hrs)
Leaving Arolla, follow a beautiful ridge trail towards the turquoise waters of Lac Bleu before continuing to La Gouille. Along the way, enjoy views of the majestic Dent Blanche and pass through the traditional mountain pastures and hamlets of the Val d’Hérens before reaching Les Haudères. Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi Elevation: +500 m / 1640 ft, -840 m / 2756 ft
Day 4
Cross the Torrent pass to Grimentz (4 or 5.5hrs)
After a bus transfer to Mayen de Cotter, hike through alpine meadows to the Torrent Pass at 2,919 m / 9,577 ft. Descend into the Moiry Valley where there are impressive views towards the surrounding 4,000-metre peaks, including Dent Blanche (4,356 m / 14,291 ft), Zinalrothorn (4,221 m / 13,848 ft) and Weisshorn (4,504 m / 14,777 ft). Choose to transfer from the pass to your overnight accommodation in Grimentz or you may continue hiking the last 6km / 3.7mi to Grimentz. Distance: 10 or 16km / 6.2 or 10mi Elevation: +840 m / 2,756 ft, -680 m / 2,231 ft
Day 5
Cross the Meidpass to Grüben (5-6hrs)
Start the day with a short transfer to Saint-Luc. Today's route then takes us across the Anniviers valley located on the left bank of the Rhone. We leave the valley through the Meidpass (2790m / 9153 ft), before descending to the village of Grüben in the Turtmantal, a narrow valley inhabited only in summer and where German is the main language. Our accommodation tonight is a hotel in the village. Distance 11.8km/7.3mi Elevation: +720m/2362ft, -1090m/3576ft
Day 6
Grüben to Zermatt, bus or train to Zermatt Valley (7hrs)
Today we will trek via the Augsbord Pass (2894 m / 9495 ft), enjoying panoramic views of the Oberland and Valais. We will travel through Jurgen and St Nicklaus before arriving into the Zermatt Valley. We will either catch a bus or a train to Zermatt where we will overnight in a hotel. Distance 18km/11.2mi, Elevation: +1075m/3527ft, -1880m/6168ft Possibility to shorten the descent by cable car (-990 m / 3248 ft), not included.
Day 7
Trek with views of the Matterhorn, trip concludes Zermatt (4hrs)
Our last hike is along a trail facing the Hornli ridge of the Matterhorn with a superb panorama of the 4000m peak Monte Rosa (4634m). The Matterhorn is steeped in a history of human dramas. The first attempt to reach the summit was made in 1857, with the first successful attempt made by Edward Whymer in 1865. After a few hours hiking we will return to Tasch /Zermatt where our tour will end early afternoon. Distance 8.5 km/5.3 mi, Elevation: +530m/1739ft, -530m/1739ft
Meals: B,L
What's included
What's not included
GRADE 5 - Daily hikes of 5 to 8 hours and an average daily ascent of 1100m. The highest altitude of the trip is under 3000m. There are some challenging stages during the hike with steep uphill, descents, and many sections of the trail which require care. The accent is on keeping a steady pace with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need an excellent level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced hikers only with a good walking pace. If for any reason during the trip the guide considers, in his or her sole discretion, that your fitness or mental or physical health is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others, he or she may direct you not to continue and you must follow the guide’s instructions. In this case you will not be entitled to any refund. Early in the season (June) you may encounter snow on the passes which may be quite deep and make the trip more challenging. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds. As with all our challenging programs, we expect participants to be regular outdoors people, enjoying aerobic sport around four or five times a week over some period of time. Preferably this has been a long term interest but if not, you have set a program of fitness preparation with at least three months lead in time to your trip. The fitter you are for your trip, the more of a holiday it will be. Activities as close to the actual activity on your trip are the best training; in this instance walking with and without a pack. This builds leg strength, aerobic capacity and confidence in your ability to travel comfortably with a pack for extended periods. At the same time, you are also comfortable with the layers you like to wear and footwear. Important note: good quality hiking boots with ankle support are a pre-requisite for your participation. Runners or shoes without ankle support are not suitable for the conditions encountered on this hike.
Per Person, Twin Share
No. Unfortunately, CPAP machines cannot be supported on this hike. While the alpine huts do have limited power, we cannot guarantee a continuous and uninterrupted electricity supply throughout the trip. This applies to all accommodation types, including both private room upgrades and shared dormitory accommodation. If you require a CPAP machine overnight, we recommend discussing alternative options with your healthcare provider before booking this hike.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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7Days
Moderate to Challenging