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From Zermatt to Chamonix

Hiking 10 days, the Haute Route for hikers - simply spectacular

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Fitness level:

10 days from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc - the Haute Route for hikers - simply spectacular

The “Walkers Haute Route” connects two of the most famous mountain villages in the Alps: Zermatt in Switzerland and Chamonix in France. The route leads through Switzerland to La Sage, Arolla, Prafleuri, over the Great St. Bernard to Italy and finally ends in the beautiful mountaineering village of Chamonix, at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps, Mont Blanc (4,807 m).
Along the way, the trek offers an unprecedented world of contrasts. Glaciers and snow-covered peaks are guaranteed, but lush green valleys, Alpine meadows and picturesque Alpine villages also await you.
The alternation between mountain huts and inns offers a certain level of comfort, as does the luggage transport (on days 4, 7 and 9).
As a highlight, we take the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m) on day 9 if the conditions are right and enjoy the breathtaking glacier world here!

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2025:

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1580 €


  • Tour planning and organization
  • 8 guided hiking days by an International Mountain Leader
  • 9 overnight stays with half board (dormitory or shared room)
  • Transfers as specified in the program
  • Travel insurance certificate
  • max. 10 participants
  • Arrival and departure
  • Drinks
  • Lunch stop
  • Tips, personal expenses
  • Possible parking fees
  • Optional overnight stays before and after the tour
  • Payment options at the huts: usually only possible in cash
  • Bus ride or gondola ride on day 9, to be decided depending on conditions
  • Return journey from Chamonix to Herbriggen (will be requested separately)

Meeting point: Hotel Bergfreund, Dorfstrasse 93, 3927 Herbriggen, Switzerland

Time: 18:00

Arrival and departure:
Public transportation by train and bus is recommended. Possible connections, also for partial routes, can be found here: rome2rio.com, bahn.de, oebb.at, sbb.ch, sncf.com.
If it is not possible to arrive or depart by public transport, parking spaces are available at the meeting point in Herbriggen near the accommodation.

The tour starts and ends at the Hotel Bergfreund in Herbriggen.

Difficulty Medium:
We hike on predominantly medium-difficulty mountain trails. The nature of the paths can be rocky and also blocked. Occasionally there are exposed passages that are secured with wire ropes. Hiking experience, surefootedness and a head for heights are required here.

Fitness level Medium:
You have a good basic level of fitness and stamina for tours with a walking time (real walking time without breaks) of up to 7 hours and up to a maximum of 1200 meters in ascent and descent.
Note: The average of the tour is assessed here. Individual days may be more demanding.

Day 1: Arrival in Herbriggen
Individual arrival in Herbriggen by 6 pm. Those who wish to arrive earlier are welcome to do so and explore the mountaineering village of Zermatt on their own. We will discuss the program for the next few days over dinner together.
Meals: A

Day 2: From the Mattertal to the Turtmanntal
We start our tour with a transfer to St. Niklaus and from here we take the cable car up to the hamlet of Jungen (1,960 m). From here we hike towards the Augstbord Pass (2,893 m) and the higher we get, the more we are captivated by the wonderful mountain panorama. Once we reach the pass, we enjoy a break and the beautiful views before descending - partly across wonderful alpine pastures - to our accommodation in Gruben (1,815 m).
↑ 1,000 m, ↓ 1,120 m, 13 km, walking time: approx. 6:00 h, meals: B, D


Day 3: Over the Meidpass to Cabana Bella-Tola (2,294 m)
Today we cross the “Rösti border”, the unofficial border between the German- and French-speaking areas of Switzerland. From Gruben, we first climb through a larch forest to Oberstafel, a small alpine pasture. Past the Meidsee lake we reach
the Meidpass (2,789 m), our highest point for the day. After a well-earned break, we descend below the Bella Tola (3,025 m) past small mountain lakes to the hut of the same name in the Zinaltal valley.
↑ 1,050 m, ↓ 520 m, 11 km, walking time: approx. 5:30 h, meals: B, D

Day 4: From Lac de Moiry to La Sage
We start with a short descent (approx. 20 min) to the funicular, which takes us down to St. Luc and then by bus to Lac de Moiry (2,250 m). From here, we continue uphill past the Lac des Autannes (2,685 m) and on to the Col de Torrent (2,916 m).
On our descent to La Sage, we enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. Once we arrive in La Sage (1,686 m), we take the Postbus to our accommodation in Arolla.
↑ 670 m, ↓ 1,250 m, 12 km, walking time: approx. 5:00 h, meals: B, D, luggage


Day 5: From Arolla to Cabane de Prafleuri (2,622 m)
Today we face the most technically and physically demanding stage. From Arolla we head west and follow the “Alpine Passes Trail” up to the fork in the road (2,741 m) just below the two passes Col de Riedmatten (2,918 m) and Pas de Chèvres (2,854 m). We decide on the spot which pass to cross, depending on where the conditions are better. The Pas de Chèvres has a challenging descent via some iron ladders and a short but exposed traverse. The Riedmatten Pass becomes steep on both sides just below the highest point and the descent is over loose scree. Both passes offer magnificent views of the high mountains, the Val des Dix and the Glacier de Cheilon. We descend to the Lac des Dix and follow it for 5 km along its western side before climbing the last 400 m of the day to the Col des Roux (2,803 m). After a short descent, we reach our well-deserved hut.
↑ 1,500 m, ↓ 800 m, 18.5 km, walking time: approx. 8:00 h, meals: B, D


Day 6: Over two passes to the Cabane de Louvie (2,250 m)
After breakfast, we head straight up to our first pass of the day, the Col de Prafleuri (2,987 m). A barren landscape of rocks and scree opens up on the other side. We cross this, past the Grand Désert glacier to the Col de Louvie (2,912 m) and on to our accommodation.
↑ 630 m, ↓ 1,050 m, 11 km, walking time: approx. 5:00 h, meals: B, D

Day 7: To the Great St. Bernard (2,473 m)
After breakfast, we follow the Sentier des Chamois to the Les Ruinettes cable car, which takes us past Verbier and down to Le Châble. From here we either take the bus and train or a transfer to the Great St. Bernard (2,469 m),
where we spend the night in the hospice. The afternoon can be spent at leisure, e.g. visiting the monastery or the museum.
↑ 430 m, ↓ 400 m, 8 km, walking time: approx. 3:00 h, meals: B, D, luggage


Day 8: Detour to Italy to the Frassati hut (2,539 m)
Today we make a short detour to Italy. We first hike up and down to the Col de St-Rhémy (2,558 m). We continue through a wild mountain landscape to the Col des Ceingles (2,809 m) and soon reach our hut, which is located above the Lac des Merdeux. The hut was built between 2008 and 201 1 by young people from the “Operazione Mato Grosso” and is dedicated to the great mountain lover Pier Giorgio Frassati.
↑ 730 m, ↓ 660 m, 10 km, walking time: approx. 4:30 h, meals: B, D


Day 9: Through the Val Ferret to Entrèves - Courmayeur
We set off a little earlier today and hike up to the Col de Malatra (2,934 m). Now it's all downhill and soon a breathtaking view of the Grand Jorasses opens up. We hike past the Bonatti hut and down into Val Ferret. From here we take a short bus ride to Entrèves, just above Courmayeur. Here we change bus and continue by bus through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to the beautiful mountaineering village of Chamonix and are thus on French soil. If the weather is good, however, a sensational highlight awaits us: instead of taking the bus through the mountain, we ride over it. We take the Skyway gondola up to Pointe Helbronner (3,462 m). We change to the panoramic cable car and take it over the fabulous glacier world to the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m). We spend a little time here and enjoy the magnificent views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding glaciers. We then take the gondola down to Chamonix. A great finish!
(Note: Both options are not included in the tour price and must be paid for by each participant on site. We decide the evening before what we will do, as the option above is really only worthwhile in good weather, as it is very expensive, approx. 150 €).
↑ 430 m, ↓ 1,270 m, 9.5 km, walking time: approx. 4:00 h, meals: B, D


Day 10: Individual journey home
After breakfast together, a transfer will take us back to our cars in Herbriggen. If you have traveled by train, you can also depart directly from Chamonix. The transfer is not included in the tour price and you will be asked before the trip who would like to travel back with you.
Meals: B

Good to know.

After your binding registration you will receive a detailed PDF with all important and detailed information. Please read the information carefully!

Cancellation:
We advise you to take out travel cancellation insurance and insurance that covers your repatriation costs in the event of an accident or illness. Please check your insurance cover.

International health insurance:
Make sure that you have international health insurance for your trip abroad to cover any costs incurred in the event of illness or accident.

Trip interruption insurance:
We also recommend travel interruption insurance in case you have to interrupt your trip for unexpected reasons on site.


Alpine Club:
We recommend that you become a member of one of the Alpine clubs (German Alpine Club, Austrian Alpine Club, Swiss Alpine Club). Membership usually covers the costs of a helicopter rescue.

The trips can only be carried out if the specified minimum number of participants is reached. If this number is not reached, the tour operator may cancel the tour up to 14 days before the start of the tour at the latest.

Please book directly via the website by filling out the contact form.
 Once we have received your booking, you will promptly receive a booking confirmation (can take up to 4 weeks depending on the circumstances) and an invoice for a deposit of 20% with a payment term of 14 days. The remaining amount is due at the latest 6 weeks before the start of the trip without further request. You can pay the invoices conveniently by bank transfer.

Changes and/or deviations from the advertised program schedule during the trip are possible at any time. In particular, changes in local conditions and weather-related influences mean that the specified itinerary cannot be guaranteed. In this respect, the description only represents the planned itinerary without guaranteeing the exact itinerary in detail. Changes are always possible due to safety aspects and are reserved for the guide.

Please make sure your equipment is in good working order and up to date. If your equipment does not meet the requirements of the tour, you are not entitled to participate and the guide may exclude you from participation!

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