Each day is between 6 to 8 hours of hiking at a comfortable pace along alpine trail with some steep sections. It starts in Chamonix, France and ends in Zermatt, Switzerland. The trek requires participants to be able to walk between 7–9 hours per day, with daily ascents and descents of around 1,500m/4,900ft or more. The Walker’s Haute Route has many variations and route options as it winds it way from Chamonix to Zermatt. The Walker’s Haute Route (WHR) is resolutely and beautifully unique, a rugged, varied, and challenging adventure, sure to bring unforgettable rewards to all that traverse it. Walking. Who we recommend it for: This trail is for everybody (with some caveats)! Although demanding at times (and slightly harder than the Tour du Mont Blanc), the Walker's Haute Route is a non-technical trek from Chamonix to Zermatt and is suitable for regular hill walkers. Which is right for you? A faster group can utilize small weather windows each day, increasing the likelihood of a successful crossing in mixed weather. The Walker's Haute Route is a 200km hiking trail that goes from Chamonix -at the foot of Mont Blanc- to Zermatt, in the Swiss Alps. Some good reasons for having an efficient team. We found that this end of the Chamonix-Zermatt route is more congested than earlier stages as it is also part of the Tour of the Matterhorn route. Explore the Swiss Alps on this nine-day trekking itinerary. While far less popular overall than the Tour du Mont Blanc you still need to book accommodation well in advance, at least three months. Particularly popular spots (especially at the weekends) were Cabane des Dix, Cabane de Moiry, Europa Hut, and Refuge Le … The Walker’s Haute Route should not be confused with the classic Haute Route, which is a yet higher and more strenuous Alpine route that requires crampons and guides to manage its glacial passes. It takes about 14 days from end to end and is pretty relentless. And both are very comparable in terms of distance, difficulty, and elevation gain. Walker's Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt. This tour requires a good level of fitness. The Walker’s Haute Route does cross high mountain passes, snow can lie on the ground late into the summer and the weather can change quickly, with snow possible at any time of year. The Walker’s Haute Route is comprehensively way marked at all junctions and by regular paint marks along the trail. No need to carry a separate map! Real maps for each stage: 1:25,000/1:50,000. The high-level route is described in 14 day stages, with optional variants, and is suitable for walkers with a good level of fitness and some previous alpine trekking experience. Route Navigation. The Haute Route via Verbier is by far the most popular version of the Haute Route, The skiing is excellent, with every day offering at least a few good opportunities for some fun downhill. Experience & Fitness. The Walkers Haute Route is fast becoming one of the classic long distance treks but not as popular as the TMB at the moment. The trail crosses 11 mountain passes with a total elevation gain of 14,000 m / 46,000 ft. Hikers will see alpine lakes, magnificent glaciers and desolate, rugged landscapes. There are 13 main variations to the shortest route that will add more than a marathon of distance to your hiking plan. This route is correctly called the Walkers's Haute Route or the Summer Haute Route - it does not involve skis (obviously) and it avoids serious glaciers. The 225km Walker's Haute Route through the French and Swiss Alps crosses 11 passes, gains more than 14,000m in height and is a strong contender for the title of Most Beautiful Walk in Europe. The Tour du Mont Blanc is a circumambulation of the highest peak in the Alps. The Walker’s Haute Route is a roughly 115 mile trail from Chamonix, France to Zermatt Switzerland, and is widely considered one of the best multi-day alpine hikes in the world. We recommend this tour only for hikers with experience hiking hut to hut in the Alps, and comfort in exposed and challenging alpine terrain. Congratulations to the hundreds of hikers that have completed the trail in 2019 and can proudly add the Walker’s Haute Route to their list of life accomplishments. The Walker's Haute Route is significantly more challenging than the Tour du Mont Blanc. This guide covers everything you need to know about the most famous itinerary in the Alps, considered one of the 10 best trekking circuits in the world. For those about to start the trail, I‘ve just finished an August trail update which has a specific focus on the rockfall zone near Pas de Chevres. The average is 3000 to 4000 feet. I walked the Haute Route in 2009. The famous Europaweg walking trail is a highlight of the Walker's Haute Route. Travelling from Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland, you will start at Mont Blanc and finish at the Matterhorn. It is not really a trek for first-time hikers, and we'd recommend tackling something slightly easier first such as the Tour du Mont Blanc or the Alta Via 1 in the Dolomites. View more photos of the Walker's Haute Route in our Facebook Album. 180km (112mi) is typically promoted as the total distance of the Walker’s Haute Route. Both offer exceptional scenery, wonderful accommodations, and superb cuisine. The Walker's Haute Route is suitable for trekkers with a reasonably high level of fitness. You should be able to navigate with a map and compass in poor visibility and be experienced in the mountains. Of course, many … Key information: Walkers Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt) A famous high route from Chamonix to Zermatt. The route can be affected by large snow fields early in the season. Home. Having just completed the Haute Route using only this guidebook (no supplemental topos or even a compass), I can attest to what an excellent purchase it was. Blanc to The Matterhorn). (read more about difficulty grades). Along the way, the trail passes by 10 of the 12 highest peaks in the Alps, as it winds its way through glacial valleys, alpine meadows, and enchanting villages. Route Navigation. It does entirely depend on which route you take because the longest official combination of trails can take 227km (141mi) and shortest at 174km (108mi). By avoiding glaciers you can travel light without the ropes and stuff you need on ice. We supply you with detailed 1:50 000 topo maps and a comprehensive guidebook so route finding is straightforward for experienced hikers. Like the famous cycling event of the same name, the Haute Route for walkers consists of spectacular alpine scenery, dramatic peaks and challenging inclines. What is the Walker’s Haute Route? United Kingdom. Like our other Alps hiking and walking trips, our Haute Route treks are built on a philosophy that the best and most enjoyable way to discover the Alps is on foot, with a small group of friends, and in the company of someone who knows and loves these gorgeous mountains and valleys. Extremely Tough. The Walk Nature of hazards and difficulty. The Walker's Haute Route is an incredible trek between the two most famous mountain towns in the Alps. The “main” Walker’s Haute Route trail is 123 km / 132 mi and travels from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. DIFFICULTY GRADING. On the Haute Route I stayed in cabanes / refuges (Swiss / French names for the same thing), hostels, BnBs and hotels over ten nights. (read more about difficulty grades). Classic Walker's Haute Route Trek: Overview. The Haute Route hike from Chamonix to Zermatt is a 187-kilometer trail through the Swiss Alps. It starts in Chamonix and follows the TMB route over to Champex-lac in Switzerland, the 2 routes then part company and the HR heads over towards Verbier and into the Swiss Valais. Difficulty The Walker's Haute Route is first and foremost a walk, but it is essential to note that it is graded a Black4 and is at the very top end of difficulty in terms of Alpine trekking. Self-Guided Walking Holidays. Chamonix to Zermatt Walker's Haute Route - 9 Days View Map. The Walker’s Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt takes the hiker on a visually stunning journey between Europe’s two most iconic mountains – Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. £14.99 AVAILABLE NOW! The Walker's Haute Route is a long and demanding trip requiring very good physical fitness and preparation. From here, head east as you continue deeper into Switzerland. A few hikers said they had difficulty getting reservations. The Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route is a classic alpine trek from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. This means you can make quicker progress along the route, rather than needing extra help at every small difficulty along the way. For links to all the posts in this series see the Chamonix to Zermatt page. Our adventure begins at the foot of Mont Blanc in the Chamonix Valley. We will cross some easy glaciers without any difficulty. September 6, 2019. Difficulty and Options. Chelsea and I disagree a bit on the experience level needed for this trail. All things considered, the most common route is approximately 207 kilometers long. Like the TMB, the Walker’s Haute Route is best hiked in Summer between late June and early September and follows well-marked and well-trod trails. Active European Holidays . I went with my wife in September 2014 and we had a terrific time. We cover from 10 to almost 17 kilometers most days, through great changes in elevation; ups and downs per day are usually well in excess of 3000 feet, and often more than 4000 feet (1200 meters). 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