This is the original Haute Route, the great classic high Alpine trek from Chamonix to Zermatt. This trip links Mont Blanc with the Matterhorn and will take you over a spectacular series of high mountain passes and vast glaciers from France to Switzerland.
First completed by the English Alpine Club in the 19th century, this classic trek, “The High Level Route”, is 120km long and covers over 10 000 vertical metres of ascent and descent. You will complete the hike over 12 challenging but incredibly rewarding days. Please see the 'Level Requirements' section below to see if you have the necessary strength and fitness to join us on the Haute Route tour.
Along the Haute Route you will stay in high mountain huts where you can admire sunsets over majestic alpine landscapes. You will have time to practice and bring to perfection the fundament skills of mountaineering and glacier travel, as you pass through diverse and beautiful landscapes.
All this will be done under the guidance of one of our highly qualified and experienced mountain guides, who will not only lead the way but will also share their expert knowledge of the area with you, making it a unique and unforgettable experience.
The first night will be spent at Yeti Lodge in Argentiere (see the additional information section). The remaining 12 nights will be booked in comfortable but often simple hotels, and the final night will be in a hotel in Zermatt. This is an alpine trek where accommodation options are limited but sufficient; mountain hut accommodation is on a mixed, dormitory-style basis. The washing facilities and mobile phone coverage are limited and there is no internet access. No sleeping bag is needed as warm covers are provided. For hygienic reasons, sleeping bag liners are obligatory.
Breakfast and dinner for the 12 days of the trip are included in the price. Packed lunches can be bought at the mountain huts and on most days there will be the possibility of having a hot lunch either at a hut that we pass on the route or a late lunch at our overnight hut, depending on your choice you should allow €10-20 or CHF15-30 per lunch. Snacks can also be bought at the huts, or you can bring your own with you. Dinner on the last evening in Zermatt is not included in the price in order to give the everyone the option to eat wherever they like.
This is a high alpine trek involving scrambling, climbing over snow slopes and travelling roped-up over glaciers using crampons and ice axes. You will walk an average of 6-8 hours each day at altitudes of over 3500m, you should be fit and able to hike challenging terrain for up to 8 hours without getting too tired. You will carry all your personal equipment (a well packed rucksack should not exceed 8kg). It is essential that you prepare yourself for this trip by regularly practicing any kind of endurance sport such as ski touring, hiking, running, biking or swimming. We also recommend core strength exercises - Pilates and yoga are perfect.
If you are traveling with a group of friends or just wish to do this trip on your own, we will be delighted to organise a custom made, private Haute Route hiking itinerary for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can planning your trip!
The minimum age on these trips is 16 years.
2640€
Price per person for groups of minimum 4 persons
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Jun 24 | Jul 06 | 2 | ||
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Jul 22 | Aug 03 | 4 | ||
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Aug 05 | Aug 17 | 3 | ||
12 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
All accommodation, as described in the itinerary.
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.
Please see the "Equipment" tab to find out what you will need. Anything that you do not already have can be rented here in Chamonix, if there is anything you need then please contact us and we will be happy to organise it for you.
For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your persoanlised kit list.
We strongly recommend that you take our Search and Rescue mountain insurance - we can organise this for you on request.
The price does not include lunch or snacks. You can bring your own food and we can stop for a picnic, or there may be the option to buy lunch at a mountain hut. Please make sure that you are carrying sufficient water and snacks as we will be in the mountains for a number of hours.
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.
Arrival day at your chalet in Argentiere, you will be welcomed by the Yeti Lodge team and shown to your room. You can then either relax at the chalet or go for a stroll around Argentiere until the rest of your group arrives. You will meet your group and guide in the evening for a briefing about the itinerary, the weather and conditions. You can check with your guide if you have all the equipment required and ask any questions. The trip package begins with a three course dinner at Yeti Lodge.
A short cable car ride up from Le Tour and a hike of 2-3 of hours will bring us to the Albert Premier hut at 2720m. Here is the perfect place to practice crampon and ice axe techniques in the afternoon. We will have dinner at the hut and spend the night here.
Distance: 4km
Ascent: 600m
Descent: 80m
Hiking Time: 2 hours
GPS data
An early start from the hut allows us to make use of the best snow conditions underfoot, whilst the snow is still frozen. Today we cross over into Switzerland, by way of the Col Superior du Tour (3289m). After this we cross the Trient Plateau, a at glacial area and then descend the Orny Glacier to the Cabane d’Orny (2831m). After a short break here we descend for about 2 hours on a good path to La Breya Chairlift. We take this lift down to the idyllic village of Champex. From here we take a taxi to our overnight accommodation in La Fouly, where we overnight in dormitory accommodation. There is a small supermarket here to stock up on lunch supplies.
Distance: 12km
Ascent: 850m
Descent: 1300m
Time: 8 hours
GPS data
A gentle walk out of La Fouly leads to a steeper trail up to Col du Neve de la Rousse at 2752m, a tranquil spot where you have a good chance of spotting alpine wildlife such as marmots, chamois and bouquetins (ibex). From this elevated pass you can also take in wonderful views of the Mont Blanc massif and acroos to the Grand Combin. A long but gentle descent follows, passing the frozen lake of Gouille du Draggon to Bourg St. Pierre. We stop here for the night - make the most of your last chance for a hot shower! You'll also be able to buy a few snacks and delve into your trek bag for a change of clothes and any items that you might want.
Distance 16km
Ascent 1350m
Descent 1140m
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
We start today with a long and gradual towards Tour des Combins, shortly after crossing Col de La Vuardette at 2440m we traverse across to Pointe de Boveire at 2493m. A descent along a lesser trodden trail brings us into the La Chaudiere valley. This brings us to the west ridge of Mont Rogneux, where we have some fun scrambling over easy terrain to the summit cross at 3083m. We descend via the east ridge, passing a lake on the way down to Pindin where we pick up the 4x4 track that takes us easily down to Cabane Brunet and a well earned beer.
Distance: 14km
Ascent: 1400m
Descent: 1000m
Hiking Time: 8 hours
GPS data
Today is a relatively easy day, starting with a leisurely breakfast at the Cabane Brunet hut before setting off along a pleasant hillside trail, crossing over a pretty stream. The route continues past some old bergeries, or shepherds' huts, at La Maya and then begins to climb up to another bridge, this one crossing the flowing melt water of the Corbassiere glacier. We carry on Plan Gali and the last ascent of the day up to Cabane Pannossiere at 2669m. We'll spend the afternoon enjoying a late lunch and relaxing on the terrace with a magnificent view of Grand Combin. The hut has a free open air shower, complete with mountain view, or you can pay to use the new indoor showers.
Distance: 8km
Ascent: 880m
Descent: 340m
Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
GPS data
A bright and early start today, beginning with a climb up to the Col des Otannes, where in good weather we have fantastic views across the the upper part of the Corbassiere Glacier to the lofty summit of the Grand Combin. We then drop down to the Mauvoisin dam where we can take a short break for coffee and cake! We continue across the top of the dam to follow a long but gentle ascent alongside the lake to Col du Tsofeiret. From here it is a short sharp descent to our night stop at the Cabane de Chanrion, a beautiful place amid summer pastures and surrounded by mountain lakes where you can enjoy a refreshing dip, if you're brave enough.
Distance: 18km
Ascent: 1900m
Descent: 2100m
Hiking Time: 7 - 8 hours
GPS data
Today is a big day in which we cross no less than 4 cols, leaving behind the green landscape of the lower Alps to enter into the rocky and icy terrain of the glaciers. We start by climbing back up to Col de Tsofeiret into more rugged mountain scenery, with the spectacular Brenay Glacier stretching away from us. The second climb up to Col de Lire Rose (3115m) is a good place for seeing the famous edelweiss flower and spotting ibex. There is then a steep descent, bringin us to the boulder-strewn glacier, before climbing back up again to Col de Mont Rouge (3325m). We may need to use crampons at this point to get across the steep snow slope. The final climb brings us across the Gietro Glacier to reach the Col de Cheilon, then it's a short glacial descent to our overnight stop at the Cabane des Dix (2928m), a hut with a deserved reputation for good food. There is also a basic 'panoramic' open-air shower at this hut. If we make good time we may arrive in time for a hot lunch.
Distance: 10km
Ascent: 900m
Descent: 450m
Hiking Time: 5 - 6 hours
GPS data
Another early start today, in preparation for the reaching the highest point of our route. The day starts with a short descent from the Cabane des Dix hut to the Glacier de Cheilon, where we put on our crampons and rope ourselves up ready for crossing the dramatically crevassed glacial terrain that leads up to the Col de la Serpentine. Here we'll take a quick breather to admire the stunning view of the Matterhorn and the Dent d’Herons before ascending a short but steep ice slope. From here we reach the easier upper slopes of the Pigne d’Arolla as we hike up to the summit at 3796m. 360 degree views make it worth the effort. After a short glacial descent we should arrive at the Vignettes Hut (3160m) in time for lunch, then we can spend the afternoon relaxing in impressive surroundings before settling in for the night.
Distance: 8km
Ascent: 1140m
Descent: 700m
Hiking Time: 6 - 7 hours
GPS data
Today we cross beneath the north face of the Petit Mont Collon on glaciated terrain to reach the Col de L’Eveque (3386m). This takes 3 to 4 hours. From here, we descend onto the Haute Glacier d’Arolla, traversing snow slopes and then bare glacier. At the snout of the glacier, we pick up a trail leading towards a bergerie Plan de Bertol on the eastern slopes of the valley. Now we have a sting in the tail of the day with a 600 metre ascent to the Col de Bertol (3268m). Our overnight halt is at the Cabane de Bertol, which is spectacularly located at the col. Access to the hut is via an exciting series of ladders - a thrilling way to end a spectacular day! There are good views eastwards to the Matterhorn and the Dent Blanche.
Distance: 14km
Ascent: 1230m
Descent: 1070m
Hiking Time: 8-9 hours
GPS data
This is our crux day and involves another early start. (Note: we do need good weather to climb the Tete Blanche and then make the descent down the heavily crevassed Stockji Glacier). We begin by descending the ladders from the hut. We then rope up and start the long, gentle ascent of the Mont Mine Glacier, heading for the easy snow peak of the Tete Blanche (3724m). This takes 3 to 4 hours and as a reward for the ascent we are treated to even more impressive views of the Matterhorn. We descend by way of the complex and heavily crevassed Stockji Glacier to our exit point at the Stockji (a rocky island in the middle of this glaciated terrain). Here, we pick up a narrow trail which traverses steep slopes, leading to an improving alpine path on a moraine on the north side of the valley. Finally, we cross the huge rock-covered glacier below the Smutt Ridge of the Matterhorn and pick our way up to the Schonbiel Hut, a welcoming hut in green meadows. We take lunch at the hut and have the afternoon on the sunny terrace, spotting climbers on the Matterhorn.
Distance: 13km
Ascent: 890m
Descent: 1440m
Hiking Time: 6 - 7 hours
Today, we make the easy 4-hour walk down to Zermatt. From the rugged high mountain scenery, we soon nd ourselves amongst pleasant woodland and pretty hamlets. This is a splendid walk, with the towering north face of the Matterhorn in full view and gives us time to re ect on the journey just undertaken. Arriving in Zermatt in time for lunch, we can pause to re ect on the trek that we have just completed, whilst enjoying a drink and the impressive sight of the majestic Matterhorn. After booking into our hotel in Zermatt there is time to look around or relax before dinner.
Distance 7km
Ascent 150 m
Descent 790 m
The trip package ends after breakfast.
Mountaineering boots
Warm hat
Thermal underwear
Fleece or woollen layers
Light puffer jacket
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Thin gloves
Gaiters
Sun hat
Ice Axe
Harness
Telescopic poles
Screwgate carabiner
60 - 120 cm tape sling
Climbing helmet
35 - 45 litres rucksack
Crampons
Sunglasses
Water bottle (1 litre minimum)
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Sleeping bag liner
The Albert 1er hut is one of the most easily accessible mountain refuges in Chamonix, making it popular with hikers as well as climbers and mountaineers.
Access is via the gondola lift from Le Tour up to Charmillon; if it is low season and the lift is not running there is a short hiking trail that you can take instead.
Refuge Albert 1er is clearly signposted from the bottom of the Charmillon chairlift, bear right and follow the trail through wide meadows where you will often see marmots hiding amongst the rocks.
The path climbs steadily up, getting more rocky as it progresses. The last section up to the hut is a bit of a scramble over boulders, with the jagged crevasses of the glacier close by on your right.
