Guided 5-Day Hike from Arolla to Zermatt on the Haute Route

Day 1: Arolla

We meet at Hoetl du Glacier in the high village of Arolla in the afternoon. You can enjoy the stunning area and relax before starting the long hikes of the next few days!

Accommodation: Hotel du Glacier - Twin room with private bathroom

‍

Day 2: Arolla - Cabane de Moiry

Private transfer to Mayens du Cotter, above Evolène. Ascent to Col du Tsaté at 2868m, offering us stunning panoramic views of the 4’000 meter peaks of Valais. From there we hike down towards the foot of the Moiry glacier, and up again to sleep at Cabane de Moiry, a hut perched above the glacier, and our highest accommodation at 2826m.

Tech. info: 14.5 km, 1500 m up, 700 m down/ 9 miles, 5000 ft up, 2300 ft down

Accommodation: Cabane de Moiry - Bed in a dorm with shared bathroom

‍

Day 3: Cabane de Moiry - Zinal

The day starts with a descent from the hut back towards the lake, on the moraine. We traverse on a gorgeous balcony trail above the lake, and climb back up to Corne de Sorebois at 2836m. From there, we take the cable car down to Zinal. Dinner and night at a charming lodge in Zinal.

Tech. info: 11.2 km, 700 m up, 850 m down/7 miles, 2300 ft up, 2800 ft down

Accommodation: Auberge Alpina - Twin or triple room with shared bathroom

‍

Day 4: Zinal - Gruben

After walking through the village, we climb in the woods until we reach a stunning panoramic trail that will take us all the way to the Forclettaz pass at 2875m. We then hike down to the next valley and the first German speaking one of our hike, Turtmanntal, and stay at Hotel Schwarzhorn.

Tech. info: 17.7 km, 1400 m up, 1250 m down/ 11 miles, 4600 ft up, 4100 ft down

Accommodation: Hotel Schwarzhorn - Twin room with shared bathroom

‍

Day 5: Gruben - Pension Edelweiss

Last pass of the Haute Route, the Augstbordpass at 2892m. Varied route through woodlands, pastures and stony wilderness which offers stunning views again. We end in the village of St. Niklaus (cable car from Jungen to St Niklaus), and take a train to Zermatt. From Zermatt, one more little climb to stay at Pension Edelweiss, overlooking Zermatt and facing the Breithorn and other high mountains.

Tech. info: 16 km, 1550 m up, 1050 m down/ 10 miles, 5100 ft up, 3500 ft down

Accommodation: Pension Edelweiss - Shared room with shared bathroom

‍

Day 6: Pension Edelweiss - Zermatt

Hike up to and along the Edelweis trail, which offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of Zermatt and its 4’000m peaks and glaciers: North face of Matterhorn, Breithorn, Liskamm... We then hike down to the moraine of the Zmutt glacier, before going through the charming Zmutt village. Return to Zermatt around 15:00.

Tech. info: 17.7 km, 850 m up, 1200 m down/ 11 miles, 2800 ft up, 4000 ft down

‍

If you would like to stay one or several extra nights in Verbier before the hike or in Arolla after the hike, we can help you organise accommodation and recommend you some hikes, activities and restaurants.

‍

Requirements

Very good physical condition needed, used to hiking several days in a row, with up to 20 km and 1'200 m of elevation gain per day, carrying a multi-day backpack. Training required.

‍