13-Day Full Summer Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt)

Ascend in the Flégère cable car to the Balcons du Mont Blanc to reach Lac Blanc at 2300m. Descend via the Col des Montets and the Aiguilles Rouges visitor centre, then on to Montroc and the village of Le Tour. Night in double room in a hotel.

5.5-hour walk / Elevation: +450m -950m / 13km

Meals included: Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

Climb via the Chalets de Charamillon or via the balcony trail of Posettes to the Col de Balme (2200m) on the French-Swiss border. Magnificent view of the surrounding glaciers of Argentiere, Le Tour and the north face of the Mont Blanc range. Descend into Swiss pastures to the village of Trient. Night in double room in a gite.

5 hour walk / Elevation: +840m -920m / 13km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

On today's hike, you have two options for hiking to Champex based on how you feel and the weather.

The classic, more "pastoral" Tour du Mont-Blanc trail via Col de la Forclaz Pass takes you through the forests and alpine meadows past Bovine (1990m). Finish the day walking along a scenic mountain road that leads through small hamlets and typical Swiss chalets all the way to Champex.

Or enjoy the more strenuous alpine hike up and over Fenêtre d'Arpette, an amazing high-mountain notch that offers safe passage from one side of the granite-spire ridgeline to the other and a worthy objective for the experienced hiker. From Trient, hike to and follow "Bisse" creek and then start your ascent up the steep, narrow, and sometimes exposed trail to Fenêtre d'Arpette notch (2665m). This hike should only be attempted in dry weather when the notch is clear of snow. From your high perch, descend through scree and then the lush green alpine meadows of Arpette Valley on your way to Champex.

6 hour walk / Elevation: +1100m -750m (via Bovine) / 16km
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1300m -970m (via Arpette) / 13km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

From Champex, this stage links the Val d'Entremont, the historic route between Switzerland and Italy, with the Val de Bagne, the birthplace of raclette cheese. The route alternates between back roads and footpaths along the slopes, dotted with traditional Valais hamlets, log cabins and raccards. It ends along the river Dranse to reach Le Chable. Night in double room in a hotel.

5.5 hours walk / Elevation : + 350 m ; - 980 m / 16km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

Take the gondola then traverse on a balcony trail with stunning views over the Combins mountain range, the Corbassiere Glacier and the Mont Blanc range in the distance, to arrive at the Cabane de Louvie. Night in dormitory in a refuge, without luggage.

5 hour walk / Elevation: +460m -440m / 8km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

Enjoy a rarely traveled section of trail through the mineral topography of the high-alpine environment. Near the foot of the glaciers descending from the summit of Rosablanche Peak (3336m), cross Col de Louvie Pass (2921m) and Col de Prafleuri Pass (2987m). The legendary trek between the two capitals of the Alps more than lives up to its reputation on this particular day. Hike downhill to Prafleuri Hut (2624m). Night in dormitory in a refuge, without luggage.

6.5 hour walk / Elevation : +1050m -950m / 11km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

Get an early morning start for the day's first ascent to Col des Roux Pass (2804m). Hike along a balcony trail above Lake Dix to reach the foot of the next ascent, this time to Col de Riedmatten Pass (2919m). Once over the pass, hike down to Arolla (2067m), a picturesque village with typical flower-decorated Swiss chalets, located in the spectacular Herens Valley. Bus transfer to Les Hauderes. Night in double room in a hotel.

7 hour walk / Elevation: +850m -710m / 17km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

Short bus transfer from les Hauderes to Villa. From Villa (1730m), hike through the flower-covered alpine meadows to Col de Torrent Pass (2918m), past Lake Autannes, and then all the way to Lake Moiry (2250m). You have the option of continuing on foot via Corne de Sorebois or simply transferring by bus from Moiry dam to your accommodations in Zinal (1675m).

6 hour walk / Elevation: +1220m -700m / 12km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

Take your leave of Anniviers Valley (Val d'Anniviers) on your hike towards the Forcletta ridgeline and Col de la Forcletta Pass (2894m). This vantage point is located high above Turtmanntal's pastures and Gruben Valley (1822m), and is located down valley from the Turtmann and Brunegghorn glaciers, offering views of a few of the area's many spectacular 4000-meter peaks. Night in double roome in a gite.

6 hour walk / Elevation: +1200m -1100m / 14km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

Start by hiking to the mountainside chalets above Grübou. Augstbord Pass (2894m), an easy pass and high perch, is the trip's last section at altitude. Further downhill, take the aerial tram from Jungu to St. Niklaus, the first village as you enter the valley that leads to Zermatt.

7 hour walk / Elevation: +1100m -950m / 13km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Mountain Hut / Hiker's Guest House / Hotel

You will spend the last 2 days of your trip in the same valley, with several of Switzlerland's highest peaks towering above as you make your way to Zermatt. Start the day's hike in Herbriggen (1250m). The trail makes a steep ascent beneath a few of the area's legendary 4000-meter peaks. The 1300-meter climb takes you to the Europaweg (aka "Europa Trail"). Train to Herbriggen to the starting point of the hike. Climb through the forest to reach the Europaweg and the Europahutte (2264m). Night in dormitory in refuge, without luggage.

4 hour walk / Elevation: +1150m -140m / 7km (different routes possible today)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel in Zermatt

On the final hike to Zermatt, spend the day hiking along the Europaweg, with the Matterhorn as your constant companion. Start your hike by crossing the world's longest suspension footbridge (494-meter span). Once across the bridge, the trail continues over a series of short climbs and descents as it contours along the mountainside. At a trail junction just above Täsch, you have the option descending to the village and taking the train to Zermatt. Otherwise, if you are motivated to continue on foot all the way to your final destination, stay on the Euroweg via Täschalp and then Tuftra. From there enjoy an easy descent to Zermatt, the capital of the Swiss Alps.

9 hour walk / Elevation: +1310m -1980m / 19km

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel in Zermatt

A loop climb to the upper heights of Zermatt, along a superb balcony path at the foot of the Matterhorn and the other 4000m peaks, surrounded by small shepherd's villages. Descent to the village of Zermatt.

3 hour walk / Elevation: +350m -350m / 13km

End point in Zermatt during the afternoon.

There are many options for excursions in Zermatt. Please feel free to ask for recommendations. We can also help with transfers back to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast