Full Description
Experience the dramatic Pennine Alps as you trek from Chamonix to Zermatt on the legendary Walker's Haute Route, also known as the Chamonix to Zermatt trek. This iconic journey links Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, traversing towering peaks, wildflower meadows, and remote alpine hamlets. Discover a landscape shaped by centuries of mountain tradition, with welcoming mountain huts, picturesque settlements, and the ever-changing beauty of high alpine terrain.
Perfect for experienced trekkers, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook presents the complete Walker's Haute Route, described in 14 day-long stages, crossing 215km (134 miles) between France and Switzerland. Routes are organised west to east, with 9 alternative variants allowing you to create the ideal itinerary to match your ambitions and timeframe.
Stages of the Chamonix to Zermatt trek are clearly described with distance, ascent/descent, and estimated walking time, making it easy to plan each day, whether you prefer a steady pace or a more demanding adventure.
Explore iconic Pennine Alps landscapes, including the flanks of Mont Blanc, the flower-filled valleys of Arolla and Zinal, and the legendary approach to Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn. Each stage ranges from 9-20km (6-12 miles), with cumulative ascent and descent of nearly 14,000m.
The Walker's Haute Route is best enjoyed from mid-July to mid-September, when trails are clear of snow, flower meadows are in bloom, and mountain accommodation is open.
Features 1:50,000 mapping and free downloadable GPX tracks for every stage of the Walker's Haute Route, ensuring straightforward navigation and confident route-finding on alpine paths and remote descents.
Each route description includes an at-a-glance information box with start and finish points, high points, accommodation, and refreshment options, perfect for planning your Haute Route adventure.
Covers essential planning, fitness, equipment, travel, public transport, mountain safety, and accommodation in high mountain huts, village inns, and campsites, as well as guidance on wildlife, plants, and local customs, everything you need to prepare for and enjoy the Walker's Haute Route, or Chamonix to Zermatt trek, from start to finish.
Practical advice is included for condensing the Chamonix to Zermatt trek into 12 day-long stages, allowing fit and experienced walkers to complete the route in less time if needed.
Plan your adventure along the Walker's Haute Route with the definitive Cicerone guidebook and discover a legendary trek, where every pass offers a new panorama, and the spirit of Alpine exploration accompanies you from Chamonix to Zermatt.
Contents
Mountain safety
Overview map
Map key
Route summary table
Preface
Introduction
The Walker's Haute Route
Getting there and back again
Accommodation
When to go
Notes for walkers
Not enough time?
Equipment
Languages
Paths and waymarks
Safety in the mountains
Wildlife and plants
Maps
Recommended apps
Using this guide
Chamonix to Zermatt
Stage 1 Chamonix - Argenti&##xe8;re
Stage 2 Argenti&##xe8;re - Col de Balme - Trient
Stage 3 Trient - Fen&##xea;tre d'Arpette - Champex
Stage 3A Trient - Col de la Forclaz - Alp Bovine - Champex
Stage 4 Champex - Sembrancher - Le Ch&##xe2;ble
Stage 5 Le Ch&##xe2;ble - Clambin - Cabane du Mont Fort
Stage 5A Le Ch&##xe2;ble (Les Ruinettes) - Col Termin - Cabane de Louvie
Stage 6 Cabane du Mont Fort - Col Termin - Col de Louvie - Col de Prafleuri - Cabane de Prafleuri
Stage 7 Cabane de Prafleuri - Col des Roux - Pas de Ch&##xe8;vres - Arolla
Stage 8 Arolla - Lac Bleu - Les Haud&##xe8;res - La Sage
Stage 9 La Sage - Col du Tsat&##xe9; - Cabane de Moiry
Stage 9A La Sage - Col de Torrent - Barrage de Moiry/Grimentz
Stage 10 Cabane de Moiry - Col de Sorebois - Zinal
Stage 10A Barrage de Moiry - Col de Sorebois - Zinal
Stage 11 Zinal - Forcletta - Gruben
Stage 11A Zinal - Hôtel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola
Stage 11B Hôtel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola - Meidpass - Gruben
Stage 12 Gruben - Augstbordpass - St Niklaus
Stage 12A St Niklaus - Gasenried
Stage 13 Gasenried - Europa Hut
Stage 14 Europa Hut - Täschalp - Zermatt
Stage 13A/14A St Niklaus - Täsch - Zermatt
Appendix A Walks from Zermatt
Appendix B Climbing from Zermatt
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Bibliography
Appendix E Glossary
