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Haute Route: self-guided 2008
Chamonix to Zermatt
Self-Guided Inn-to-Inn
Details
Location: France and Switzerland
Length: 13 days (this is very flexible)
Grade: strenuous and strenuous plus
Accommodations: mountain huts and hotels
Dates: late June - mid September
Land Cost (US$): from $1,675 (10 days); $1,975 (13 days). Final cost may vary depending on final itinerary. Extra costs for luggage transfer from Chamonix to Zermatt are not included.
The Trip
The Haute Route was established almost a hundred years ago as a high
mountaineering route that linked together two of Europe's premier mountaineering
centers, Chamonix and Zermatt. It was then developed into a ski route
and more recently a high-level mountain hike.
Few long distance hikes offer the variety and grandeur
of landscape as this route. Beginning in Chamonix at the foot of Mont
Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak, the Haute Route winds its way through
the Swiss canton of Valais. Taking in what is thought to be the greatest
collection of four thousand meter peaks in all the Alps, it culminates
at the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt. While Mont Blanc will remain
in view for much of the hike, you will also become familiar with other
equally impressive peaks such as the Grand Combin, Mont Blanc de Cheilon,
Pigne d'Arolla, Dent Blanche, and the Weisshorn. This hike is nothing
short of fantastic!
As with all of Europe's long distance footpaths, this
route offers the experience of traveling by foot. Carrying everything
you will need for the duration of the trip (extra bags sent ahead to Zermatt),
you will hike beneath imposing peaks and glaciers of the Swiss Alps, wander
though alpine meadows and larch forests, cross high, barren passes and
descend into lush green valleys. You'll picnic beside cool mountain lakes,
stay in remote mountain huts, visit bustling Swiss villages, and relax
in the tranquility of isolated old-world hamlets.
This is a strenuous route covering almost 177 kilometers
(110 miles) and crossing eleven passes, many over 9,000 feet. While there
will be some ambitious days, there will also be leisurely days. We've
tried to incorporate as little alternative transportation as possible
and have used it only when necessary to allow for a smoother day. Join
us for this classic hike through the heart of the Swiss Alps. It is a
wonderful journey!
The itinerary below is based our guided 13 day guided
trip, though we are happy to make any changes to suit your self-guided
trip. The self-guided option offers the seasoned hiker and confident traveler
flexibility, independence and a real sense of traveling by foot in this
beautiful area.
 TOP
Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to the hotel in Chamonix, France using
your Swiss Card.
Day 2: A short transfer north from Chamonix to Le
Tour will bring you to the starting point of your hike. Ascending to
the Col de la Balme (7,230') you have impressive views of the Chamonix
valley and the Mont Blanc massif before descending into the quiet settlement
of Trient.
Day 3: There are two hiking options for today, one
via the high alpine pastures of Bovine with expansive views of the Rhone
Valley, and the other more difficult route up and over the ruggedly
beautiful Fenetre d'Arpette. Your hike will conclude in the picturesque
lakeside village of Champex.
Day 4: Today's hike leads through small farming hamlets
to the walled village of Sembrancher and then on to the town of Le Chable.
From here you will take a series of cable cars, first up to the renowned
ski resort of Verbier, and then up to Les Ruinettes. As you hike to
your refuge, you will be accompanied by splendid views not only of the
Grand Combin (14,149') but Mont Blanc as well.
Day 5:This is a day of great variety, the route rises
to a high belvedere with expansive views of the Val de Bagnes and the
Grande Combin before reaching the Col Termin (8,841').
Continuing on to the Col de Louvie (9,640'), it is possible
to see Ibex along this section. From this col, you traverse a landscape
of barren rock, tumbling moraines, and drying glaciers before ascending
the final col, Col de Prafleuri (9,785'), and then descending to Cabane
de Prafleuri (8,660') for the night.
Day 6: From Cabane de Prafleuri (9,785') a short climb
brings us to the Col des Roux (9,253') with its views of the great triangular
mass of Mont Blanc de Cheilon, and the green pastures of the Val des
Dix with its five kilometer lake. Descending to the lake, you will follow
its west bank, and, at the southern most end, begin the climb to the
refuge. This is a stunning hike.
Day 7: You start with a short descent to the Glacier
de Cheilon. From here an easy walk brings you across the glacier to
a rocky climb up to the Pas de Chevre. With the assistance of iron ladders,
you reach the col with its stunning views Pigne d'Arolla, Mont Collon,
Mont Blanc de Cheilon, Dent Blanche, and the distant Matterhorn. Descending
from the col, the route soon becomes less demanding as it parallels
a grassy moraine carved out by the long Tsijiore glacier. The hike will
conclude in the village of Arolla where you can stop for lunch before
continuing by bus to the village of Evolene.
Day 8: Transfer to a small hamlet above La Villa.
The morning will be spent climbing through green alpine pastures to
the Col de Torrent (9,632') with its magnificent views. On a clear day
it's possible to see Mont Blanc as well as the Berner Alps on the far
side of the Rhone Valley. Descending to Lac de Moiry, the hike lead
through pastures and farms and past the small picturesque mountain Lac
des Autannes. From the dam at the north end of the lake, follow the
stream La Gougre down the Val de Moiry to Grimentz.
Day 9: From Grimentz transfer by bus across the valley
to the village of St. Luc. After a short funicular ride, you'll begin
your hike up over the Meidpass (9,207') from the French-speaking Valais
into the German-speaking Valais. The descent down to the hamlet of Gruben
in the Turtmanntal is like a hike into the past. Remote and relatively
undisturbed, this valley, with its one hotel, affords a beautiful and
restful stopover.
Day 10: Today you will cross the last pass of the
Haute Route, the Augstbordpass. Once an important trading route from
the Rhone Valley to Italy starting in the Middle Ages, this is one of
the finest stages of the hike. A varied route through woodlands, pastures,
and stony wilderness that offers spectacular views of high mountain
peaks such as the Dom and the Weisshorn, it is not quite as arduous
as the elevation gain and loss might suggest.
You may extend your trip and hike to the Europa Hut
from St. Niklaus and then the next day to Zermatt.
Day 11: The final stage the hike will be a valley
walk that gradually gains elevation as you approach Zermatt. This is
a pleasant and relaxed day of hiking through hamlets, forests, and pastures
with time to stop for lunch at a village restaurant. After 11 days on
the trail, it's thrilling to see the bustling international mountaineering
village of Zermatt appear from behind a rise. The Matterhorn will finally
reveal itself as you walk through town to the hotel.
Day 12: Free day to explore Zermatt.
Day 13: Depart Zermatt. Please allow for about a 4-hour
train travel time to the Geneva Airport and the Zurich Airport.
Additional information:
Included:
in the cost of the trip: 2 hours of general consulting regarding hiking
dates and abilities, travel information, maps covering the route, detailed
trail notes, 2nd class Swiss Card which will allows for train transfer
between the Geneva and Zurich Airports or any other Swiss border station and reductions on cable cars.
We make and prepay all overnight accommodations, breakfasts and dinners
except 4. We make and pre pay all private taxi transfers as detailed in
the final itinerary.
Not included:
air fare, lunches, 4 dinners (Chamonix, Evolene and Zermatt), travel to and from starting/ending point,
transfers or excursions on trains, lifts, buses, taxis, extra charges
due to changes in itinerary, items not on set dinner menu, beverages except
what is served at breakfast, bottled water, insurance, items of personal
nature.
Packing:
This hike is not vehicle supported. You will need to carry a small to moderate sized pack with only the clothing and accessories you will need for the duration of hike. (See our sample packing list.) With advances in synthetic clothing and other travel gear, it's possible to keep your pack weight to 20 lbs. including lunch and water.
How does my extra luggage meet me in Zermatt:
There are a few ways we can send your extra luggage to Zermatt so it will be there when you arrive. Brief descriptions of the option are below, however please contact us so we may help you decide which will be the best option.
1) When you arrive in the Geneva or Zurich Airport you send extra luggage directly from airport to Zermatt. Extra cost is about $10 per bag paid directly at the train station. 2) We arrange for a private transfer from Chamonix to the nearest Swiss rail station and you place your bags on the Swiss train system. Addtional cost for this is $180 for 1 to 10 hikers plus about $10 per bag paid directly to the station. 3) A private taxi picks up your bags at the hotel in Chamonix and takes them directly to the hotel in Zermatt. Extra cost is $350 up to 15 bags. This is a great option for groups of about 8 or more.
What if weather is a problem or I get delayed en route?
In the final information we offer detailed directions and instructions
about what to do if you must skip a day of hiking due to bad weather or
for some other reason and how to rejoin your itinerary.
Accommodations and Facilities:
The accommodations on the Haute Route vary from comfortable 3 star hotels to rustic mountain refuges. Your accommodations may include the following depending on your final itinerary.
Hotels: For the 13-day self-guided Haute Route itinerary you will spend six nights in comfortable hotels with private baths: Chamonix, Champex, Evolene, Grimentz, St. Niklaus and Zermatt (2 nights). All are centrally located in town. They are friendly, family run hotels that reflect the local character. We are certain you will find these hotels comfortable and welcoming.
Hiker’s Hotels: There are two nights in hiker’s hotels, Trient and Gruben that offer private double rooms with shared facilities. These hiker’s hotels offer simple and basic, though comfortable accommodations.
Refuges: There are 3 nights in mountain refuges, Mont Fort, Prafleuri and Dix. They are high mountain huts and have bunkrooms, called dortoirs, complete with blankets and pillows. The shared facilities vary, but all have washing and bathroom areas and two nights have hot showers.
Travel:
Nearest airport to starting point: Geneva. Nearest airport to the ending
point: Zurich.
How to register for a self-guided trip:
Call or email us to discuss location, dates and level of difficulty.
We can modify the above itinerary to meet your time frame and abilities.
Once we agree on an itinerary and the dates we require a $375 deposit
per person.
Please see information about how to book your self-guided trip.
For a more detailed itinerary, to discuss dates or to register, please
call.
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