Classic Haute Route hiking traverse

Our trip begins in the famous mountain town of Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. We meet the group at 6pm for a trip briefing followed by our evening meal. – Accommodation: 3* hotel, dinner included – Luggage access

Firstly, we start with a beautiful train journey on the famous Mont Blanc Express. Afterwards, we start our trek in the hamlet of Montroc, and begin climbing up the stunning Aiguillette de Posettes. Most other treks then head for the Col de Balme. However, we take a quiet and beautiful variant through the meadows of Les Tseppes and into Switzerland as it offers fantastic views. – Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included – Luggage access – Walking: approx 7-8 hrs – Distance: 14 km – Altitude gain / loss: +1100m / -1100m

Today we start with an easy stroll along the bisse (Swiss irrigation system) to the Chalet des Glaciers, a small café next to the impressive Trient glacier. Here we begin a long and sometimes steep ascent through spectacular scenery up the high pass known as the Fenêtre d’Arpette, from which we have wonderful views of the Trient Plateau. Finally, we have a steep descent through the Val d’Arpette to our accommodation in Champex. – Accommodation : Family-run hotel, dinner included – Luggage access – Walking: Approx 7 hrs – Distance: 16 km – Altitude gain / loss: + 1411m / -1200m

We leave the picturesque village of Champex to meander through summer meadows in the Val de Bagnes, to reach the village of Sembrancher. Here we take a short taxi ride to Fionnay. We have chosen to deviate from the standard Haute Route and head for the Cabane de Louvie as it offers a truly remote setting next to a high alpine lake, and our route steers clear of the ski lifts of Verbier. We finish our day with a steep ascent to the Louvie hut: it’s tiring, but we are rewarded with fantastic views of the Grand Combin and the Mont Blanc Massif. – Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included – No luggage access – Walking: Approx 8 hours – Distance: 20 km – Altitude gain / loss: +1350m / -1300m

This is one of the most spectacular days of the trek, crossing 2 cols with dramatic views throughout. After climbing the Col de Louvie, we make a steep descent at the edge of the Grand Désert glacier. Afterwards we traverse the aptly-named Grand Désert and make our way up to the Col de Prafleuri (2987m) then descend to the Cabane de Prafleuri (2642m) for the evening. – Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included – No luggage access – Walking: Approx 8 hrs – Distance: 18 km – Altitude gain / loss: +820m / -550m

A short, steep climb greets us this morning as we quickly summit the Col de Roux, overlooking the milky waters of the Lac de Dix. A gentle descent then takes us to the shore of the lake. Next we make a steep ascent to the base of the Col de Riedmatten, where we have the option of either climbing the col or taking the Pas de Chèvres ladders to a nearby col. The leader will decide which route we take, based on the weather and the group. – Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included – Luggage access – Walking: approx 6-7 hrs – Distance: 16 km – Altitude gain / loss: +735m / -1360m

We are now approaching the halfway point of the trek and today is something of a recuperation day, involving a leisurely walk through woodland (although there are 1 or 2 chains!) to the Lac Bleu, a favourite local beauty spot. From here, there is an easy descent through a beautiful gorge to Les Haudères where we have lunch. At least, a short climb complete this stage at the small farming hamlet of La Sage. – Accommodation: 3* hotel, dinner included – Luggage access – Walking: approx 4-5 hrs – Distance: 11 km – Altitude gain / loss: +215m / -550m

The first ascent to the higher of the two passes, the Col de Torrent (2912m), is long, but not too difficult, and the path is in good condition. We then descend to the turquoise Lac de Moiry, a great lunch spot. Ahead we can see some of the giant peaks of the Pennine Alps. Of more concern will be the imposing Col de Sorebois, a climb which is shorter but steeper than the ascent of the Torrent, but again presents no real problems. From here, we have spectacular views of the Weisshorn, the Dent Blanche and the Zinal Rothorn. It’s a steep downhill from here, and the hotel at Zinal is a welcome sight after the hardest day of the trip so far. – Accommodation: Hotel dinner included – Luggage access – Walking: approx 8-9 hrs – Distance: 21 km – Altitude gain / loss: +2000m / -1850m

We start with a steep but pleasant ascent through larch forest, before a rising traverse takes us through alpine pastures with excellent views across the Val d’Anniviers. We have a choice of 2 passes today, the Forcletta (2874m) or the Meidpass (2790m), but we normally take the Forcletta as it offers a more direct route, and slightly better views. From here we can see into the Turtmanntal, and we enter the German-speaking part of Switzerland. We often see the rare edelweiss on our descent of this col, if we can manage to take our eyes away from the incredible vista of 4000m peaks on offer. Tonight we stay in the tiny hamlet of Gruben. – Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included – Luggage access – Walking: Approx 7 hrs – Distance: 19 km – Altitude gain / loss: +1200m / -1165m

A really superb trek today as we start out through open woodland, then across high pastures followed by an alpine rocky wilderness. The trek soon opens up to some of the most spectacular views in the Swiss Alps. Our final pass is the Augstbordpass (2894m), beyond which we descend steeply to the wonderful viewpoint known as the Twära – and here is your first view into the Matterhtal.. A steep descent takes us to the hamlet of Jungu, perched on the side of the mountain. And from here there is a steeper descent of a couple of hours to take us down to Saint Niklaus. – Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included – Luggage access – Walking: Approx 7-8 hrs – Distance: 16 km – Altitude gain / loss: +1070m / -1765m

Today we make our way easily along tte valley into Zermatt to experience our first close-up views of the Matterhorn. We have chosen not to do the Europaweg section of the Haute Route as the path is becoming increasingly hazardous, with regular rockfalls wiping out sections of path along with entire bridges. Therefore we have chosen instead to include 2 nights in Zermatt, so that tomorrow we can offer one of the most spectacular walks in the world. – Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included – Luggage access – Walking: Approx 4-5 hrs – Distance: 13 km – Altitude gain / loss: +450m / -0m

We have included this extra day in Zermatt firstly to maximise our chances of seeing the Matterhorn, but more importantly as it is one of the most spectacular walks in the world! First of all, we climb from the centre of Zermatt up through a gorge, to Trift. Later, we climb on higher towards the Matterhorn, along a breathtaking balcony path, with views of the Monte Rosa and the glaciers which lie above Zermatt, round a corner and the majestic Matterhorn reveals herself. For the rest of the day you will not be able to put your camera down – a true finale to your Walker’s Haute Route.