The Walkers Haute Route
A superb high level traverse of the Western Alps from Chamonix to Zermatt

The Walkers Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt is a demanding two week trek. It differs slightly from the modern ski traverse since we must avoid the technical glacier crossings accessible only to mountaineers equipped with ropes and ice axes.

We begin in France but immediately commence the long climb out of the Chamonix Valley over the Col de Balme and into Switzerland. Traversing the Canton of Valais the route crosses the high ridges and deep gorges of the Pennine Alps, travelling across the grain of the land. Many of the passes we cross involve ascents of over 1000 metres through rough and relatively remote terrain, making this a tour for the fit walker, but we will be rewarded by a succession of overnight stops in spectacular mountain huts and charming alpine villages.

Our route links the two largest mountaineering centres in the Alps - Chamonix and Zermatt - and the two most famous mountains in the Alps - Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. During the course of our walk we see many other famous peaks including the Weisshorn (4505m), the Zinal Rothorn (4221m) and the Dom (4545m). Eventually we reach the delightful village of St. Nicklaus in the Mattertal Valley. From here we take the mountain train on the journey up to Zermatt. Here at last, at the scene of Edward Whymper’s first ascent in 1865, we come face to face with the Matterhorn - perhaps the most famous mountain view in the world.

Grade
Strenuous

Insurance Premium
£50

Duration
13 days

DAY 1 Arrival in Geneva
We meet you on arrival at Geneva Airport and transfer by road to our hotel in Argentiere, situated in the Chamonix valley. Argentiere is very popular amongst British walkers and mountaineers and to cater for them there is an excellent British-run bar situated here. We stay in a comfortable hotel in the centre of the village within walking distance of all amenities.

DAY 2 Trek from Chamonix to Argentiere
In the morning we travel into Chamonix town centre and take the Brevent cable car up to the top station at 2525m. The viewpoint from here is absolutely stunning and we can gaze across the Chamonix valley towards Mont Blanc and a myriad of smaller peaks including the Chamonix Needles and the Aiguille du Midi. This section of the trek follows the Tour du Mont Blanc route as we traverse across the sensational high level terrace of the ‘Grand Balcon’ past La Flegere to the still waters of Lac Blanc. With clear skies the reflection of the Mont Blanc chain in the lake is one of the most photogenic views on the whole trek. From this lake the path descends in a wide series of zig zags back down to Argentiere and our hotel. A few beers await in one of the town’s several attractive hostelries.

DAY 3 Across the Col de Balme to Trient
In the morning after a leisurely breakfast we prepare our rucksack The second overnight stop on the trek cannot be reached by vehicle so baggage transfer will not be possible on this section. We will need to pack our rucksack very carefully, omitting any non-essential items and travelling as light as possible. We catch a local bus up to Le Tour where, to help us get started, we take the Col de Balme chair lift to the half-way station at just over 1800m. From here we get straight on the TMB path with a steady climb up to the Col de Balme at 2191m. There is a small refuge on the crest of the pass, which forms the frontier between France and Switzerland, and if the guardian is in residence we may be able to buy drinks and snacks from here. We have a great panoramic view across the Valle D’Arve towards the peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges whilst to the southeast we can see the Aiguille du Tour (3544m) and the Aiguille du Chardonnet (3824m). Descending on the east side of the pass, we follow a good path, gentle to begin with but steepening as we approach the bottom of the valley. We stay overnight at the picturesque village of Trient.

DAY 4 Across the Fenetre d'Arpette to Champex
We depart from the refuge early in the morning for the long climb up to the Fenetre d’Arpette (2665m). The path climbs high above the Trient Glacier and we can look across the huge glacier bowl of the Aiguilles Dorees towards the Aiguille D’Argentiere (3902m). Crossing this pass can be one of the toughest days on the whole trek. The ground is fairly rough and there is a modest degree of scrambling, such that in poor weather we would need to consider an alternative route via La Forclaz. On the far side of the pass we descend steeply across a boulder field into the Val D’Arpette, pausing briefly at the refuge D’Arpette before continuing down to the exceptionally beautiful village of Champex situated by a tranquil alpine lake. We stay overnight at a delightful chalet style hotel and will be re-united with our baggage from Argentiere.

DAY 5 Trek to the Mont Fort Refuge
We walk down the valley through delightful alpine pastures to Sembrancher and then onto Les Chables in Val de Bagnes. To avoid a very long uphill climb through a partially residential and farming area we a telepherique and then walk for about an hour to the Mont Fort refuge (2457m). This is a relatively easy day which will be very welcome if we have come over the Fenetre D’Arpette on day 4. The Mont Fort refuge is a delightful old-style alpine hut with great views and we can sit on the veranda with a beer and watch the sun set over the mountains. Among the peaks we can see from here are the Dents du Midi, the Grandes Jorasses and the Grand Combin. Our support vehicle is not able to reach the high mountain huts so we will need to carry all essential items for tonight, and for the following night as well.

DAY 6 Trek to the Prafleuri Refuge
Today is the longest section of the trek so far, crossing three high cols and climbing a substantial distance , but we are rewarded with spectacular views throughout. From Mont Fort we follow a narrow path which clings to the hillside under huge cliffs with occasional metal chains for assistance. We have great views of the Grand Combin and back to Mont Fort. The first pass of the day is Col Termin and this is followed rapidly by the Col Louvie (2921m). Ibex are often seen on these remote passes. A steep descent leads to the Grand Desert, the moraine-strewn snout of a dry glacier, which we cross to reach the Col de Praefleuri (2987m) and a final steep climb to the new Praefleuri refuge (2624m). A tough day!

DAY 7 Across the Col de Roux to Arolla
Another long day beginning with a short climb up to the Col de Roux (2804m) and then a steep descent to the Lac des Dix. In poor weather conditions we may opt to take a lower route which avoids the col and follows the lake shore. By either route we reach La Barma and continue on the westerly side of the lake and directly south of us at the far end of the lake we can see the great north face of Mont Blanc de Cheilon (3870m). The path now begins to climb above the Glacier de Cheilon heading for the Riedmatten Pass (2928m) which we cross and make a descent of nearly 1000 metres to reach the pretty village of Arolla. We stay in a comfortable hotel with ensuite twin rooms and are re-united with our baggage which has been driven around from Champex.

DAY 8 Down the valley to La Sage
From Arolla we follow a pleasant path through pine forests to the small Lac Bleu. Occasionally it is possible to buy local cheese from the farmer here. We descend to the village of Les Hauderes in Val d’Herens where we can have lunch before continuing to climb up to the little hamlet of La Sage. We stay overnight in simple dormitory accommodation.

DAY 9 Cabane de Moiry
We have two options today, both involving the crossing of a high pass. Normally we would plan to cross the Col de Torrent (2919m) and descend to the barrage at Lac de Moiry. But an alternative is the Col de Tsate (2868m) which is somewhat more direct. Either way brings us to the Lac de Moiry where there is a small café. From here we trek up to the beautifully situated Cabane de Moiry.

DAY 10 Across the Col de Sorebois to Zinal
We follow a series of steep switch backs to the Col de Sorebois (2840m) where in clear weather there is an incredible panorama across to the Central Mischabel Alps including the Weisshorn (4506m), the Schalihorn (3978m) and the Zinal Rothorn (4221m). We drop down into the delightful Val D’Anniviers and the pleasant village of Zinal (1675m). There is an option to use a cable car for the final 800 metres descent into the valley. In Zinal we stay at a comfortable hotel and once again will have access to our baggage.

DAY 11 Across the Meidpass to Gruben
We climb to the crest of the Meidpass (2790m) where our eye will be drawn by the tremendous glaciers of the Weisshorn, the Bishorn (4153m) and the Brunegghorn (3833m). We drop down a short distance to the little lake at Meidsee where we can have lunch before embarking on the long descent to the village of Gruben (1822m) in the Turtmanntal valley. We stay in at the Hotel Schwarzhorn and will be re-united with our baggage.

DAY 12 Across the Augustbord Pass to Zermatt
One final big day over the Augustbordpass (2894m). The climb to the pass involves about 1000 metres of ascent from Gruben, but at the top we are greeted with a sensational view across to a range of peaks not seen up to this point on the trek. The Dom (4479m), the Lenzspitze (4294m) and the Taschhorn (4490m) are the tallest of a great chain of peaks lying high above the Mattertal Valley and stretching south all the way to Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn itself. As we descend into the pretty Augustbord valley we are rewarded with some of the finest views on the whole trek. The final steep descent to St. Niklaus can be cut short with a cable car from Jugen. We board a mountain train for the short ride up to Zermatt and our hotel at the foot of the Matterhorn, where we will be re-united with our baggage.

DAY 13 Travel home
After breakfast we depart from Zermatt. Most members will be travelling by train for the journey to Geneva Airport and a flight back to the UK.