Self-Guided Haute Route (Chamonix-Zermatt)

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Geneva to Chamonix

Arrive in Geneva and transfer by shuttle to the beautiful Chamonix Valley to get acclimated for your trek. Enjoy an optional afternoon excursion to the Aiguille du Midi on the world's highest vertical ascent cable car. Evening at our conveniently-located riverside hotel in the heart of Chamonix.

Ascent: 200 feet | Descent: 200 feet | Distance: 2 miles (may vary)

Day 2 – Chamonix to Trient

Your first day on the trail ascends the tranquil Chamonix Valley below the ribbed flanks on the north side of Mont Blanc. (BD)

Ascent: 3827 feet | Descent: 3034 feet | Distance: 13 miles (may vary)

Day 3 – Trient to Champex

Ascending over Alp Bovine you instantly capture the sweeping views, forests, and alpine meadows which you'll find throughout the Haute Route. Evening at our lakeside hotel in Champex-Lac. (BD)

Ascent: 2653 feet |    Descent: 2837 feet |    Distance: 8.2 miles (may vary)

Day 4 – Champex to Verbier

A gentle descent through valley pastures and traditional Swiss farming villages before arriving at the exclusive alpine resort of Verbier on the sunny eastern side of Mont Blanc. (B)

Ascent: 1244 feet | Descent: 3427 feet | Distance: 10.9 miles (may vary)

Day 5 – Verbier to Cabane de Louvie

Today’s route ascends steeply above the Val de Bagnes along the Sentier des Chamois with commanding views extending to the Mont Blanc range. You’ll arrive at the Cabane de Louvie on the shore of the beautiful Lac de Louvie with dramatic views of the Grand Combin. Excellent wildlife viewing is expected. (BD)

Ascent: 2253 feet    | Descent: 2099 feet | Distance: 6.7 miles (may vary)

Day 6 – Cabane de Louvie to Prafleuri

Today the terrain becomes rugged as you cross two challenging passes, Louvie and Prafleuri, the highest pass on the Hiker's Haute Route. You’ll dip into a rocky glacial section and ford a runoff stream—a perfect setting to study glacial retreat. This evening you stay at the lively Cabane de Prafleuri. (BD)

Ascent: 3609 feet | Descent: 2247 feet | Distance: 10 miles (may vary)

Day 7 – Prafleuri to Arolla

After cresting a small pass, you’ll follow the lakeshore to the moraine of the Chelion Glacier where edelweiss flowers dot the rocky slopes. Crossing the dramatic Riedmatten Pass or the newly-placed ladders and landings of the Pas de Chevre, you’ll have your first view of the Matterhorn, before descending into Arolla, one of the most charming alpine villages along the route and a popular base for day hikes in the Swiss Alps. (BD)

Ascent: 2768 feet | Descent: 4907 feet | Distance: 11.5 miles (may vary)

Alternate route (using public transit): Ascent: 2082 feet | Descent: 2139 feet | Distance: 6 miles (may vary)

Day 8 – Arolla to Les Haudères

After the three challenging days you've just experienced, today is a less demanding day taking you to scenic Lac Bleu, before descending to Les Haudères for the evening.

Ascent: 275 feet | Descent: 2092 feet | Distance: 6 miles (may vary)

Day 9 – Les Haudères  to Grimentz

Your choice of the Col de Torrent or the Col de Tsaté will depend on how much distance you want to hike. Either way, the sweeping alpine slopes are a delight. Ascend through alpine meadows before your dramatic descent to Lac de Moiry with breathtaking views of the Moiry Icefalls and the majestic Weisshorn (4505m). Evening in the preserved medieval farming village of Grimentz. (BD)

Ascent: 4503 feet | Descent: 2198 feet | Distance: 10 miles (may vary)

Day 10 – Grimentz to Zinal

This beautiful route follows the forested contour of the Sorebois ridge before descending to the peaceful village of Zinal. (BD)

Ascent: 1961 feet | Descent: 3845 feet | Distance: 5 miles (may vary)

Day 11 – Zinal to Gruben

Today you’ll leave the French-speaking region of Valais, cross the Forcletta and enter the German-speaking region of the Haute Route trail. Hiking along sparkling mountain streams you arrive in the quiet hamlet of Gruben where you’ll spend the evening. (BD)

Ascent: 3933 feet | Descent: 3451 feet | Distance: 10 miles (may vary)

Day 12 – Gruben to Zermatt

Crossing the final pass of the trip, the legendary Augstbordpass, you’ll have sweeping views of Dom, the highest peak entirely within Switzerland, the Weisshorn, and the curves of the Aletschgletscher. As you descend into Jungen, an exciting gondola ride takes you to the valley floor, where the train to Zermatt awaits. (B)

Ascent: 4187 feet | Descent: 3684 feet | Distance: 10.1 miles (this assumes taking the cable car from Jungu to St. Niklaus) (may vary)

Day 13 – Zermatt

After a week on the Haute Route, you'll enjoy a rest, but you won't want to miss a chance at some of the best dayhikes Zermatt has to offer including walks to quaint villages like Zmutt and Findeln, or panoramic hikes along the Hohenbalmen overlooking the north face of the Matterhorn. Evening in Zermatt. (B)

Ascent: 1900 feet | Descent: 1900 feet | Distance: 6 miles (may vary)

Day 14 – Zermatt to Geneva

You’ll have most of the day available for hikes in the area, including an ascent to the Riffelsee where the Matterhorn is perfectly reflected in still waters. Afternoon return to Geneva. (B)

Ascent: 200 feet | Descent: 200 feet | Distance: 2 miles (may vary)