Summer Haute Route — From Chamonix to Zermatt

Day 1: Chamonix – Trient

Transfer to Montroc by train. Hike up the Aiguillette des Posettes ridge to Col des Posettes, with stunning views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks. Possibility to have lunch or a coffee at Refuge du Col de Balme, which marks the border between France and Switzerland. Descent to the charming village of Trient.

Tech. info: 17.5 km · 1,000 m up · 1,100 m down

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Day 2: Trient – Arpette

Long climb to the stunning Fenêtre d'Arpette, an impressive narrow mountain pass facing the Trient glacier — or hike along the high alpine pastures of Bovine, depending on conditions. Both options are breathtaking! The day ends at Relais d'Arpette, a charming mountain lodge just above Champex village.

Tech. info: 12.5 km · 1,400 m up · 1,100 m down

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Day 3: Arpette – Cabane de Louvie

Short walk to Champex village, bus transfer to Le Châble and cable car to Les Ruinettes. We start with a flat path along the Valais bisses (canals), then climb the famous Sentier des Chamois facing the Combins massif. From Col Termin, descend to the beautiful Cabane de Louvie by Louvie lake, with breathtaking views of the Grand Combin and the Mauvoisin reservoir.

Tech. info: 13.5 km · 800 m up · 800 m down

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Day 4: Cabane de Louvie – Cabane de Prafleuri

Difficult but stunning day! Start with a climb to Col de Louvie, then cross a landscape of barren rock with massive mountains, tumbling moraines and drying glaciers to reach the second pass of the day, Col de Prafleuri. Descent to Cabane de Prafleuri for the night.

Tech. info: 12 km · 1,200 m up · 800 m down

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Day 5: Cabane de Prafleuri – Arolla

A day with some easy sections and some challenging ones. Climb to Col des Roux and descend the other side to walk along the giant Lac des Dix. Great views of Mont Blanc de Cheilon on the way up to the second pass of the day, Col de Riedmatten, before hiking down to the high village of Arolla.

Tech. info: 17.5 km · 800 m up · 1,500 m down

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Day 6: Arolla – Cabane de Moiry

Private transfer to Mayens du Cotter, above Evolène. Ascent to Col de Torrent, offering stunning panoramic views of the 4,000 m peaks of Valais. From there, hike down to Moiry lake and up again towards Moiry glacier to sleep at Cabane de Moiry, a hut perched above the glacier.

Tech. info: 14.5 km · 1,500 m up · 1,500 m down

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Day 7: Cabane de Moiry – Zinal

The day starts with a descent from the hut back towards the lake, on the moraine. Traverse above the lake all the way to the dam — the views are incredible all day. Climb to Sorebois pass and take the cable car down to Zinal.

Tech. info: 11 km · 700 m up · 800 m down

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Day 8: Zinal – Gruben

After walking through the village of Zinal, climb through the woods until you reach a stunning panoramic trail that takes you all the way to the Forclettaz pass. You then descend to the next valley and the first German-speaking one of the hike, Turtmanntal.

Tech. info: 17.5 km · 1,400 m up · 1,200 m down

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Day 9: Gruben – Pension Edelweiss

The last pass of the Haute Route, the Augstbordpass. A varied route through woodlands, pastures and stony wilderness with stunning views again. You end in the village of St. Niklaus and take a train to Zermatt, then one more little climb to stay at Pension Edelweiss, overlooking Zermatt and facing the Breithorn.

Tech. info: 16 km · 1,500 m up · 1,100 m down

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Day 10: Pension Edelweiss – Zermatt

Hike up to and along the Edelweiss trail, which offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of Zermatt and its 4,000 m peaks and glaciers: the north face of the Matterhorn, Breithorn, Liskamm… You then hike down to the moraine of the Zmutt glacier, through the charming Zmutt village on your way back to Zermatt.

Tech. info: 17.5 km · 800 m up · 1,200 m down

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