Summer Haute Route: Guided 10-day Hike From Chamonix to Zermatt

What's the plan?

Day 1: Chamonix

Check-in at La Chaumière Mountain Lodge after 15:00. Briefing with your guide at 18:00.

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Day 2: Chamonix - Trient

Transfer to Montroc by train. Hike up on 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 where we have dinner and spend the night.

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

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Day 3: Trient - Arpette

Private transfer back to Trient in the morning. 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 the conditions. Both options are breathtaking! The day ends at Relais d’Arpette, a charming mountain lodge located just above Champex village.

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

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Day 4: 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 start the climb on the famous Sentier des Chamois (mountain goat trail), facing the Combins massif. Once we reach Col Termin, we start our descent to the beautiful Cabane de Louvie by Louvie lake, with a breathtaking view of the Grand Combin and the Mauvoisin reservoir. Dinner and night at Cabane de Louvie.

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

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Day 5: Cabane de Louvie - Cabane de Prafleuri

Difficult but stunning day!  We start with a climb to Col de Louvie. We then cross a landscape of barren rock with massive mountains, tumbling moraines, and drying glaciers and 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 6: Cabane de Prafleuri - Arolla

Day with some easy sections and some challenging ones. Climb to Col des Roux and descent on the other side to walk along the giant Lac des Dix. Great views of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon ahead of us and climb to the second pass of the day, Col de Riedmatten before hiking down to the high village of Arolla, where we spend the night.

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

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Day 7: Arolla - Cabane de Moiry

Private transfer to Mayens du Cotter, above Evolène. Ascent to Col de Torrent, offering us stunning panoramic views of the 4’000 meter peaks of Valais. From there we 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 8: Cabane de Moiry - Zinal

The day starts with a descent from the hut back towards the lake, on the moraine. We traverse above the lake, all the way to the dam. The views are incredible all day. Climb to Sorebois pass and cable car down to Zinal. Dinner and night at a charming lodge in Zinal.

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

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Day 9: Zinal - Gruben

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

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

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Day 10: Gruben - Pension Edelweiss

Last pass of the Haute Route, the Augstbordpass. 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 Breithorn and other high mountains.

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

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Day 11: 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... You then hike down to the moraine of the Zmutt glacier, before going 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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Day 12: Pension Edelweiss - Zermatt

Check-out from hotel after breakfast and depart.

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Requirements

To join this event, very good physical condition is needed, used to hiking several days in a row, with up to 12 miles and 5’000 feet of elevation gain per day. Training required.

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Insurance

It is the participant's responsibility to get health and accident insurances that cover mountain rescue in France and Switzerland.

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Kit list

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Day Clothing Essentials

• Hiking boots
• T-shirt
• Hiking trousers or shorts
• Fleece
• Down jacket
• Waterproof jacket
• Waterproof over trousers
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Warm hat
• Buff
• Gloves

Night Essentials

• Sleeping bag liner
• Lightweight towel
• Ear plugs
• Cash for drinks at the huts

Technical gear

• Hiking poles
• Hiking backpack (30-40L)
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Waterproof inner bags or bin bags
• Headlamp with spare batteries

F&B

• Water (min. 2L)
• Snacks

Pharmacy

• Sunscreen and lip protector
• Plasters and basic medicine

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Pricing

The price for this event is CHF 2’600.

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Included in price

• 10 days of guided hike with an International Mountain Leader, in your private group
• 11 nights of accommodation, both in hotels and mountain huts
• Dinner from day 1 - day 10
• Breakfast from day 2 - day 12
• All transfers included in the itinerary
• Luggage transfer (up to one piece of luggage per participant, from the hotel in Chamonix to the hotel in Zermatt)

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Not included in price

• Transport to Chamonix
• Transport from Zermatt
• Lunches (possibility to buy packed lunches from all accommodations or to buy groceries along the way)
• Dinner on day 11
• Drinks and snacks

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Group size

Min. 4 / Max. 8 participants

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By signing up for this event, you agree that you have read, understood and will adhere to our Terms and Conditions.

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