Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt

Champex-Lac

Except the Vichères rando parc, these routes are neither marked nor secure. Anyone using ski touring routes is solely responsible for their own actions. Pays du St-Bernard declines all responsibility in the event of an accident and gives no guarantee as to the topicality, accuracy or completeness of the information provided.

Be accompanied by a certified mountain guide. Find their contact details on here.

Consult the avalanche bulletin by clicking here!

An absolute ski tour classic. Over 5-6 days, from one mountaineering centre to another.

Chamonix and Zermatt: Two names that make any mountaineer’s heart beat faster. A multi-day ski tour links them both. Every day starts early, often when it’s still dark. There are tough ascents and fantastic descents, requiring both physical and mental stamina. Surrounded by the highest mountains in the Alps, you travel from hut to hut on an incredible route.

  • The classic among ski tours
  • From hut to hut
  • Surrounded by the highest mountains in the Alps

Itinerary

Detailed map

Best period to go there

Jan.
Feb.
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Jun.
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Aug.
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Dec.

Prestations

Multi-stage routeScenicGeological highlightsInsider tipRefreshment stops availableCableway ascent/descentHigh-altitude ski tourClear area

Author\s note

The Haute Route is a long tour during which you spend several days high up in the mountains a long way from civilization. Calm weather conditions, experience in the high mountains and careful preparation are essential.

Directions

1. Stage
Aiguille des Grands Montets – Glacier d’Argentière – Glacier du Chardonnet – Col du Chardonnet – Fenêtre du Saleinaz – Plateau du Trient – Cabane du Trient

2. Stage
Cabane du Trient – Col des Ecandies – Val d’Arpette – Champex – Verbier (Taxi) – Cabane du Mont Fort (Bergbahn)

3. Stage
Cabane du Mont Fort – Col de la Chaux – Col de Moming – Rosablanche – Cabane de Prafleuri

 

4. Stage
Cabane de Prafleuri – Col de Roux – La Barma – Lac des Dix – Cabane des Dix

 

5. Stage
Cabane des Dix – Col de la Serpentine – Pigne d’Arolla – Cabane des Vignettes

 

6. Stage
Cabane des Vignettes – Col de l’Evèque – Col du Mont Brulé – Col de Valpelline – Zermatt

The details on the tour (distance, duration, altitude and depth) also include the Orsière-Verbier-Mont Fort stretch that is covered by taxi and cable car.

We recommend to book a mountain guide who knows well the place.

Getting there

Zermatt is car-free. Private vehicles are permitted only as far as Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The Täsch–Zermatt road is closed to the public.

Onward travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi or shuttle train. Trains depart every 20 minutes; the journey takes about 12 minutes, and ends at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt.

Täsch has car parks with both covered and open-air parking – e.g. at the Matterhorn Terminal or privately operated facilities.

Onward travel: see “Getting there”.

By train to the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Zermatt.

Zermatt is also the start and finish point for the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train journey (Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos).

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