Trail running from Chamonix to Zermatt
Trail running in one of the most famous trails in the world, from Chamonix to Zermatt, across breathtaking landscapes with Caroline, UIMLA mountain guide.
Alps
6 Days
May - Oct
Description
This trail course on the legendary Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt will take you through valleys and mountain passes. In this way, it unites indeed the two cult places of alpinism. Run from Chamonix station at the foot of the Mont Blanc to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. In fact, you will thrive in magnificent high mountain landscapes across two countries in the company of Jules-Henri, 2011 winner of Tor des Géants. Enjoy discovering this legendary route and the exceptional nature surrounding it all along this journey!
This program is quite unique for the following reasons:
– The presence of Jules-Henri, team SALOMON athlete
– The mythical journey from Chamonix to Zermatt
– The discovery of wilderness in a mineral world
– Professional advice to progress while having fun
-Perfectly organized logistics: transfer, luggage transport, accommodation and meals
– Running with a light bag!
Our housing will be in cottages and hotels (accommodation in dormitories and shared rooms).
Does this beautiful 6-day program from Chamonix to Zermatt sound interesting? Then I invite you to contact me so we can discuss your trail level and the next departure dates. If this tour does not suit you, I will of course present you other trail programs. For example, you can go for a challenge and Train for the famous Ultra in Chamonix!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Luggage transfer
Price details
- The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).
Itinerary
Day 1: Chamonix - Champex
33km, D+ 2500m, D- 2300m, around 9-10 hiking hours.
8AM: meeting at the train station in Chamonix. During the first stage of the Haute Route we leave Chamonix valley by the Balme pass, from where we reach Switzerland. The imposing glacier faces us at the small valley of Trient. Then it is time to leave the forest and climb towards the Fenêtre d’Arpette. This path becomes more and more mineral and the arrival to the mountain pass offers beautiful landscapes. Finally, a technical descent brings us to the Arpette plateau, right above Champex for the end of this stage. Dinner and overnight in a cottage.
Day 2: Champex - Fionnay
30km, D+/- 2100m, around 8-9 hiking hours.
We will start the second day by descending. After traversing Champex we will dive right into the chef-lieu Orsières. It is then time to climb and visit the small Valais villages Reppaz and Commeire. The ascent continues towards Mont-Brulé amongst meadows and pastures, and then we move to the ridge between the Val de Bagnes and Val d’Entremont. After one more effort we reach the Mille pass where there is an exceptional 360˚ panorama. The last effort of the day is the traverse heading to the Cabane Brunet before ending the day at Fionnay! Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 3: Fionnay - Arolla
34km, D+ 2700m, D- 2300m, around 8-9 hiking hours.
The day begins with an ascent towards the Cabane de Louvie and its alpine lake. We reach from there the mineral world by the Louvie pass and the Prafleuri pass. We are on the tracks of the Patrouille des Glaciers, the famous Swiss ski alpinism race. Then we walk along the Grande Dixence dam, before reaching the Riedmatten pass. A final descent remains to find ourselves in the nice village of Arolla at the Val d’Hérens. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in dormitories.
Day 4: Arolla - St Jean
32km, D+ 1700m, D- 2300m, around 8-9 hiking hours.
We start descending the Val d’Hérens towards Haudères where we can see the houses that are typical to this region. We continue by climbing regularly through the villages of Sage and Villaz before switching through the Torrent pass to the Val d’Anniviers. The landscape on the summits here is imposing. We reach the Moiry dam before ending the day at St Jean cottage further down the valley. Dinner and overnight in a cottage.
Day 5: St Jean - St Nicolas
34km, D+ 2800m, D- 2900m, around 9-10 hiking hours.
This great stage of Chamonix-Zermatt will lead us to the German-speaking part of Valais. The first ascent of the day is the Meidpass, through which we leave the Val d’Anniviers. We are now in the wild Tourtemagne valley, then we start the second ascent of the day. Here is the last pass of our journey, the Augustbordpass, overlooking the Zermatt valley. We conclude with a beautiful descent to finally arrive at St Nicolas. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Day 6: St Nicolas - Zermatt
20km, D+ 750m, D- 200m, around 4-5 hiking hours.
For the grand finale, we will run in the Matterhorn valley. During the ascent, the famous mountain will gradually present itself to us and we will be able to admire its North face. It is a steady ascent and we will find this mythical station, hot spot of alpinism, 6 days after our departure. Return to Chamonix by bus late afternoon.
Details
More info
(Chamonix - Zermatt: La Haute Route)
Advanced level:
- Regular practice of running and other endurance sports : 3-4 times a week for at least 1:15h
- Regular practice of running in varied terrain, experience & participation in races or nature trails 20 to 40km
- Occasional practice of mountain hiking
- Be able to progress at a minimum speed of 600m D + / hr for 1 hour
- Mountain environment Knowledge
Equipment:
- During the day: a light backpack with a waterproof jacket, a long sleeve warm fleece type, a survival blanket, a whistle, an individual pharmacy kit*, a cap or headband, a hat and thin gloves, sunglasses suitable for running, long tights if you are wearing shorts to run, cereal bars and energy drinks, a plastic bag for waste, biodegradable toilet paper, a headlamp, a minimum reserve water of 1.5L, an elastic strapping strip and some cash
- To wear: running short, a short-sleeved t-shirt, running socks and already worn trail shoes
- For the whole stay: a silk sheet, spare clothes for 6 days, a towel, a personal hygiene kit, spare shoes, a spare water socket, spare batteries for the headlamp, a pair of spare laces, a pocketknife and earplugs
- Recommended additional equipment: poles and camera
- Individual pharmacy kit: anti-friction cream, sunscreen, double skin dressings, elastic band, paracetamol, anti-diarrheal, antiseptic and personal drugs
Meeting point
FAQs
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
-Caroline
4.9
(11)
Mountain Leader
I hold the State Certificate of Mountain Leader (UIMLA), Athlete of Team Garmin Adventure. I won many trail competitions such as Oxygen Challenge, The Glaciers Tour of Vanoise, Albertville Trail, Drayes Blanches of Vercors, the Frison Roche Beaufort, Run and skate of Chamonix… I have also some racing podiums such as the Saintélyon, the Lyon Urban Trail, the Causses Marathon, the Allobroges. I am an ex-sportswoman of high level in rowing (World Championships, World Cups, France Championships). I have a mastery STAPS (Sport) and BEES First degree in rowing. I organise and supervise many trail courses in the Alps with a pro team, a friends group with whom we have a mission: Run and enjoy! I invite you to contact me if you want to train and/or discover these incredible massifs.
Languages
French | English
Certificates
UIMLA
What people are saying about -Caroline
J'ai eu l'opportunité de participer à deux stages, l'un dans le Cantal, l'autre à Chamonix. Un grand plaisir de partager une passion commune avec des participants très sympas de tous niveaux et de tous horizons. Caroline, une grande professionnelle de la montagne et du trail, n'a pas son pareil pour organiser ces rencontres, et tout cela dans une super ambiance et des paysages à couper le souffle.
J'ai fait deux stages avec Caro, c'est devenu une amie, et chacun de ces stages m'a laissé des souvenirs inoubliables. Le premier stage en 2014 en Haute Savoie à l'occasion du Trail du Gypaète. Le Deuxième stage en 2015, dans les Calanques de Marseille. Ces stages auront été parfaits à tous les niveaux: Paysages grandioses (on sent qu'ils ont été choisis avec soin), des échanges techniques avec des "pros" (un grand moment quand Caro inspecte les sacs à dos...), pleins de conseils nutrition - mode de vie etc... La découverte des autres stagiaires mais aussi des autres encadrants (très bon contact avec Guillaume Lenormand par ex.). Des conditions matérielles top (hébergement, repas, organisation etc...). Seule critique: le temps passe trop vite, c'est toujours trop court! Donc au final quand c'est fini, on n'a qu'une envie... c'est de repartir pour un autre stage! Et vu le nombre de personnes que l'on croise sur les stages qui en sont à leur n-ième participation, je peux affirmer que ce sentiment est partagé!
Pour moi le trail c'est avant tout la découverte de nouveaux territoires, les rencontres et les échanges avec d'autres passionnés, le respect de la nature. Mes 3 stages avec Caroline m'ont permis de retrouver ces fondamentaux dans un cadre toujours bon enfant, mais pas moins professionnel. Caroline est une passionnée de montagne et de tout ce qui y touche (sport, culture, gastronomie) et elle sait comme personne transmettre sa passion et ses bons conseils, toujours avec le sourire. Je garde un excellent souvenir des rencontres avec les autres stagiaires et mais aussi avec les autres encadrants, Guillaume, Seb, Cédric, Lydie et tant d'autres rencontrés au cours de ces stages.
James
Great experience, but definitely favored toward elite runners. One of our guides, JC, was amazing. He cared about every runner. The other guide seemed only to care for the elites (and himself). On top of Col des Montets, I asked if we had time to put on warm layers. The guide said "of course," but then quickly proceeded to run off with the entire group while I stood bare and freezing with my gear unpacked. Total lack of consideration for the well-being of his runners. Otherwise a great tour.
Christopher
Well organized tour of the TDS course. Amazing views await even if you’re not planning to run the race
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