Haute Route Chamonix - Zermatt

Day 1 : Albert 1er hut

From the Charamillon gondola we climb along the mountain's flank then through the moraine of the Tour glacier to the Albert 1er hut. This offers a glorious view of the aiguille du Chardonnet and the glacier's seracs. Night at the refuge.

Hours: 2 to 3

Altitude range: +800m.

Day 2 : Hôtel de Mauvoisin

We depart early for the Tour col (3281m) along an easy glacier climb.

Over the col we set foot on the Trient plateau under the Aiguilles Dorées and head toward the Orny col.

From there we descend via the Orny glacier to the fabulous traverse to the Breya chairlift which will take us down to Champex. A taxi transfer brings us to the Mauvoisin dam. Night in hotel.

Hours: 6 to 7

Altitude range: +600m/ -1300 m

Day 3 : Dix hut

This is one of the longest as well as one of the wildest stages of the tour.  An early start sees us flank the edge of the Brenay glacier before climbing to the Lire Rose col (3115m). A short passage across the Lire Rose glacier and a second slope leads us to the Mont Rouge col (3325m). We traverse the Gietroz glacier by contouring the north face of the Grande Ruinette up to the Cheilon col (3242m). This gives us a glorious view of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon, which looms over us during our descent to the Dix hut (2928m).

Hours: 6 to 7

Altitude range : +1490m / -400m

Day 4 : Vignettes hut

Another early start leads us up the Cheilon glacier to the Serpentine col. Then a short, steeper slope lets us set foot on the plateau that guides us to the Brenay col. An easy ascent brings us to summit of the Pigne d'Arolla (3796m), our highest point of this tour. From here a landscape of alpine giants is laid out before us: the Matterhorn, the Dent Blanche and the 4000m peaks of Saas Fee. A descent across a maze of seracs ends at the Vignettes hut (3194m). This is a glorious glacial section amid the full power of the Alps' beauty.

Hours: 7 to 8

Altitude range: +950m / -400 m.

Day 5 : Bertol Hut

We descend on to the Mont Collon glacier to cross the Chermotane plateau and climb up to the Evêque col (3392 m) on the Italian border. Then we traverse to the Collon col (3087m) and descend on the Arolla glacier to 2540m. After a well-earned lunch we climb 800m to the Bertol hut (3311m), perched on its rock like an eagle's nest.

Hours: 6 to 7

Altitude range: +1162m / -980m

Day 6 : Schöenbiel Hut

An easy traverse of the Mont Miné’s glacial plateau brings us up to the Herens col then the summit of the Tête Blanche (3274m). Our reward is a majestic view of the Matterhorn and the Dent Blanche. We descend to the immense Stockji glacier and its gigantic seracs, and follow the moraine up to the Schöenbiel hut. Here we contemplate the north face of the dent d’Herens and the Tiefmatten side of the Matterhorn.

Hours: 5 to 6

Altitude range : + 400 m / - 1120 m

Day 7 : Zermatt

We depart at 9am after a big breakfast do an easy descent on the length of the Zmutt glacier moraine.  Here, evidence of the glaciers' impressive power in the 18th and 19th centuries is laid out for us. We continue through pastures studded with the distinctive mazots and granaries of Zermatt.  Arrival at Zermatt about 1pm

Return to Chamonix by taxi.

Technical Level required for the Haute Route

The Haute Route is dedicated to experienced/regulars hikers with an average of walking up to 1000 m per day, some days 1200m. Some path sections are a bit vertiginious, but always secured with fixe ropes or hanging bridge. You must get use to walk in mountain on rough trail and carrying a backpack of around 10 kg. There is no luggage transportation.

The walk on the glacier to go down Zermatt is easy and doesn't require specials skills. You will be secured by your mountain guide.

Equipment List to hike 

Please click here to see the required equipment list, with the rental price list.

Fitness Level required

There will be 5 - 7 hours of walking per day.

Excellent fitness is therefore required.

Please arrive fit and mentally prepared. Your guide will not allow you to continue if you do not have the minimum level of fitness required and you will not be eligible for a reimbursement.

Accommodation

In mountain huts and hotel during the whole trek. In the hotel you share a twin room with another participant.

Bring a silk sleeping-bag liner for the huts. Blankets and pillows are provided.

Meals

Half board (dinner and breakfast) provided in the huts.

Packed lunches are provided, which you carry yourself. Vegetarian options available on request.

You can bring your own extra snacks in addition, e.g. energy bars, dried fruit and nuts. Don't bring anything heavy, or food which might squash, leak or spoil.

Cost and availability for the Haute Route

We need a minimum of 4 persons to run this group course. Participants are mixed nationalities, if necessary guides can speak both French & English.

Our planning is changing constantly due to availabilities in the huts  - GET IN TOUCH directly by e-mail or phone/what's up +33 6 23 21 46 63 as we have other different dates/ program / routes available too.

If you are a private group, or a family please get in touch as we are able to offer tailor-made courses with choice of date and duration.

Cost includes:

• Organisation of the 7 day course trip
• UIAGM certified high mountain guide 
• 6 nights in mountain huts and 1 night in a  3* hotel  in Chamonix (shared twin room)
• All meals, except dinner in Chamonix Day 0
• Safety equipment provided by your guide (ropes, carabiners, ice screw)

Cost does not include:

• Transport to and from Chamonix before and after your course
• Dinner in Chamonix on day 0
• Personal expenses (drinks in the refuges for you and your guide, additional snacks, etc)
• Equipment can be hired from CMBG, please ask (harness, crampons, ice axe, helmet...)
• Single room supplement for the previous night 75 € per night
• Alpine climbing insurance
• Gratuities
• Any extra expenses due to unforseeable circumstances like (bad weather, injury, lack of fitness)