Haute Route des Alpes (Chamonix → Zermatt)

The place

The Chamonix–Zermatt Haute Route is a legendary crossing of the Franco-Swiss Alps linking the two capitals of mountaineering over 12 to 14 walking stages across roughly 200 km. Passing through the Val Ferret, Grand-Saint-Bernard and Val d'Hérens valleys, it offers constant views of the highest massifs of the Alps: Mont Blanc, Grand Combin, Dent Blanche, the Matterhorn. The walking itinerary stays clear of the glaciers, unlike the ski-touring version practised in winter. It links together passes above 2,800 m and demands solid physical fitness. The alpine scenery here is at its most grandiose, between Valais alpine pastures, traditional villages and a permanent glacial skyline.

Why go

The Grand-Saint-Bernard pass and hospice (2,473 m) with its Saint Bernard dogs. Cabane des Vignettes. View of the Matterhorn from Arolla. The village of Zinal and its panorama over the Valais 4,000ers. A spectacular arrival in Zermatt with the Matterhorn as a backdrop. The meadows of the Val d'Hérens and Val d'Anniviers, among the most beautiful alpine pastures.

A bit of history

The winter ski-touring version was documented as early as 1911 by mountaineers of the English Alpine Club. The summer walking version developed from the 1970s onward, progressively waymarked on the Swiss side by the SAC and on the French side by the FFRP. The route follows old smugglers' and pedlars' paths that once linked the valleys before the construction of paved roads.

Getting there

Chamonix: accessible by train (Mont-Blanc Express from Saint-Gervais, TGV from Paris or Geneva–Martigny). Zermatt: accessible only by train (no cars), from Visp or Täsch (Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn). Geneva–Chamonix and Geneva–Zermatt shuttle services available.

Recommended gear

High hiking boots (rocky terrain). Trekking poles. Waterproof and warm layer. Strong sunscreen. Lightweight sleeping bag (staffed refuges available). Swisstopo 1:50,000 map or offline app.

Best season

Late June to mid-September. The passes (>2,800 m) can retain snow in June. Best period: mid-July to end of August. Refuges open from June to end of September.

Day by day

1. 1
   J01 · Chamonix → Argentière8.00 km · +300 m
2. 2
   J02 · Argentière → Trient (Col de Balme)13.50 km · +1000 m
3. 3
   J03 · Trient → Champex (Fenêtre d'Arpette)11.00 km · +950 m
4. 4
   J04 · Champex → Verbier (via Sembrancher)16.00 km · +1100 m
5. 5
   J05 · Verbier → Cabane du Mont Fort9.00 km · +1300 m
6. 6
   J06 · Cabane du Mont Fort → Refuge de Prafleuri17.00 km · +800 m
7. 7
   J07 · Refuge de Prafleuri → Arolla12.50 km · +700 m
8. 8
   J08 · Arolla → La Sage (via Les Haudères)13.00 km · +500 m
9. 9
   J09 · La Sage → Zinal (Col du Tsaté)21.00 km · +1400 m
10. 10
    J10 · Zinal → Cabane de Tracuit9.50 km · +1700 m
11. 11
    J11 · Cabane de Tracuit → Gruben (Pas de Forcletta)15.50 km · +300 m
12. 12
    J12 · Gruben → St-Niklaus (Augstbordpass)13.00 km · +1200 m
13. 13
    J13 · St-Niklaus → Randa (Europaweg)21.00 km · +1200 m
14. 14
    J14 · Randa → Zermatt8.00 km · +300 m