Europe - Trekking Programs

The Walker's "High Route"CHAMONIX  - ZERMATT - The High Route

Our route will differ from the original route since we are not after the technical aspect, but rather the beauty of the walk.
By way of easy passes, at the foot of huge glaciers and high summits, we will walk from Verbier in the Bagnes valley to St. Nicklaus in the Mattertal valley. Discovering along the way the traditional “Valais” which is rhythmed by life of the alpine meadows. 

DAY 1
VERBIER – MONT FORT CABIN
It is in the well known ski resort of Verbier that we will start this year’s walk.
Leaving from the town center of Verbier 1500m we start by walking through some nice pine forests along wide easy trails up to Les Ruinettes 2193m which is one of the main ski lifts here in Verbier. From here, we are above tree line and the trail becomes smaller. Eventually we will round a corner and see the Mont Fort cabin 2457m located on top of a small noll. This is here we will spend the night.
Unparalleled views of the Mont Blanc range as well as the Grand Combin can be had from here and the sunset is absolutely spectacular ! Total time = 4 hrs                  up 950m                     down 100m
Hut telephone number : 027 778 1384 

DAY 3
PRAFLEURI CABIN - AROLLA
An early start is the order of the day and we will leave the cabin to head over the Col des Roux 2804m, down to the old shepard’s huts of La Barma 2458m.
From here we will walk above the Lac des Dix to the Pas du Chat 2386m and cross the river flowing off the Cheilon glacier by way of a small suspended bridge.
The path then heads uphill towards the Cheilon glacier and the views of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon are absolutely spectacular !
We then go over the Col de Reidmatten 2919m and down the ski slopes to the charming village of Arolla 1956m. I find this area and the Val d’Hermance to be one of the prettiest places in Switzerland. It is life as it used to be years ago…Total time = 7.5 hrs               up 840m                     down 1450m
Hotel telephone number : Hotel du Glacier 027 283 1218  

DAY 4
AROLLA – MOIRY CABIN
Today will be our longest day. After a shuttle bus ride down the beautiful Herens valley to Evoléne and then La Forclaz 1744m, here starts our day by going up to Le Tsaté 2164m and then onto the Col du Tsaté 2868m.
Once over the pass, we go down past La Bayenna 2546m and then past a small pond at 2349m which is part of the Lac de Moiry. Finally we head up past the beautiful Moiry glacier to the Moiry cabin 2825m for the night.Total time = 8.5 hrs   up 1550m                   down 500m
Hut telephone number : 027 475 4534  

DAY 5
MOIRY CABIN - GRIMENTZ
From the cabin we head back down to the Lac de Moiry 2249m and it’s huge dam. Next we head down past Le Mayen 1784m. Here we enter another valley – the Val d’Anniviers – and will spend the evening in the charming village of Grimentz 1564m.Total time = 3.5 hrs   up 0m             down 1300m
Hotel telephone number : Hotel Becs de Bosson 027 475 1979 

DAY 6
GRIMENTZ - ZINAL
Today will be a short day spent admiring the magnificent scenery of the Val d’Anniviers.
We start by heading down to les Morasses 1521m and along the valley down to the “Pont du Bois” 1455m.
From here we head into the lost village of Zinal 1675m to stop for the night at the a small hotel which is owned by an old friend of mine – Christian – who will certainly be more than happy to tell us many stories from the past…Total time = 3 hrs      up 240m                     down 100mHotel telephone number : Auberge Tom Pouce 027 475 1224 

DAY 7
ZINAL - GRUBEN
From Zinal 1675m, we head up to the la Perranja 2085m, Tsahelet 2523m and finally over the Col de la Forcletta 2874m. The views are outstanding from this lovely pass. This is now the German speaking part of Switzerland – the Turtmantel valley. Down the other side Chatte Berg 2488m and then to Bossigu – Hungorli 2041m and then little village of Gruben 1822m for the night.Total time = 6.5 hrs   up 1200m                   down 1000m
Hotel telephone number : Hotel Walderuh 027 932 1327 

DAY 8
GRUBEN – ST. NICKLAUS
Today we start by heading off to Mittlstatel 2369m and up the Augstbordpass 2894m, then down to Jungu 1955m and finally our destination of St. Nicklaus 1127m which is located in the Mattertal valley, the valley of Zermatt.Total time = 7 hrs      up 1000m                   down 1600m Total elevation gain = 6630m          

Some tid bits and facts:(TMB 1997 = 7200m)Highest point = 2987m Col du Prafleuri (Day 2)Toughest day = Day 4 (1550m – 8.5 hrs)One transfer day from Zinal to La Forcalz by shuttle bus (Day 4).

Haute Route FAQ and some general information about this High Route

The Haute Route originally stems from a summer walking route called the “High Level Route”, which was done by members of the London Alpine Club in 1861.
With the development of skiing, it became a famous high mountain ski route and took on the French name of “Haute Route”.
Presently several “haute routes” throughout the Alps and elsewhere, and it is commonly referred to as Chamonix – Zermatt. But when one speaks of THE Haute Route, it is this one that is referred to.There are several variations of the Haute Route, the longest  and most difficult being the “classic route” which is then continued on to Saas – Fee. It traverses 23 glaciers and accounts for over 35,000 vertical feet of climbing and skiing.The first recorded ski traverse of the Haute Route was done by Dr. Payot and a group of French guides from the village of Argentière in 1903. They followed what is now the traditional route to Zermatt and did this in 4 days !
 Now days skiers would never be able to accomplish such long, hard, grueling days. 

Maps
The following maps cover the Haute Route (classic version) :
Please keep in mind that the maps are metric and one centimeter = 250 meters on the 1/25 000 maps. They are very detailed and of excellent quality.
IGN (French Maps)
1/25 000 Chamonix – 3630 OT
Carte Nationale Suisse
                                                1326 Rosablanche
                                                1346 Chanrion
                                                1347 Matterhorn
                                                1348 Zermatt 

Clothing
If one uses huts and is able to obtain precise, certain weather conditions, it is possible to do the Haute Route with a  light pack. Being light means being able to move quickly, therefore safely – and with more pleasure. One can do the Haute Route with a pack weighing no more than 18 lbs. The following list indicates the usual basic equipment

1. Waterproof Jacket
2. lightweight fleece jacket
3. pair of lightweight spring gloves
4. ski hat
5. baseball cap (for the sun)
6. glacier glasses
7. sun block and lip cream
8.  insulated bottle (1Liter)
9. small headlamp
10. small 35mm camera
11. small toilet kit w/ tooth brush, aspirin, personal stuff.
12. medium sized pack

Huts
The huts belong to the Alpine clubs of their respective countries (French, Italian, Swiss) and members obtain a reduced rate. During the ski touring season and the summer they are staffed and dinner and breakfast are served. They are what they are. Bunk style sleeping arrangements that have warm wool blankets (you don’t need a sleeping bag) and everyone has dinner at the same time, which is a set meal – usually very delicious. Learn to appreciate what the staff does for you  (especially when you come out of a raging blizzard), but don’t expect a five star hotel.

see other related summer programs >>