Walker's Haute Route - Switzerland

Welcome to Martigny! The afternoon is free for you to relax and explore this charming town. You will meet your trip leader and the rest of your group at 5pm in the hotel for a briefing and then enjoy a welcome dinner with your group.

Meals: D

This morning we transfer by train to Le Chable. After reaching Les Ruinettes with the Verbier cable car we will enter into the Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve with its rich fauna where we will hopefully see ibex, chamois and marmots. We start with a flat path along the Valais bisses (canals), before starting the climb along the famous Sentier des Chamois (mountain goat trail), facing the Combins massif. Reaching the Col Termin (2648m) we will start our descent to the beautiful Cabane de Louvie by Louvie lake, with a breathtaking view of the Grand Combin and the Mauvoisin reservoir. Dinner and overnight at the Louvie hut (2250m).

Accommodation this evening is in refuge in a remote location and will be triple or quad share with shared bathroom facilities. Please note that there is no luggage transfers today so you will need to carry a change of base layer clothes and basic toiletries for one night. 

**You will also need a sleeping sheet/sleeping bag liner with integrated pillow case (or separate pillow case) and a travel/trekking towel for this night in refuge.

Ascent 800m / Descent: 600m

Meals: B L D

A difficult but stunning day! We will start the day with a climb to Louvie pass (2921m), then cross the limestone plateau of the Grand Désert, at the foot of La Rosa Blanche summit. Passing by receding glaciers and mountain lakes we will cross barren rocks, tumbling moraines and glacial streams before making our way to the Prafleuri pass (2987m). To finish the day we will descend to Combe de Prafleuri and Grande Dixence via cable car where we will spend the night. Overnight Hotel du Barrage.

Ascent 1200m / Descent 1200m

Meals: B L D

A leisurely start to today’s hiking followed by a steep climb through the forest. After a rest stop at a mountain hut we are then onto a wonderful hike on the high belvedere, on a wide track with fantastic views of the Rhone Valley and the Matterhorn. From the Hotel du Barrage, we will catch the bus to Léteygeon from where we start a steep climb to Mandelon alpage, which will provide a wonderful spot for lunch. From Mandelon the track winds its way around the nose of the mountainside offering immense views of the Swiss Rhone Valley, the Berner Oberland to the north and the distant Matterhorn in the south. We descend to Chemeuille where we catch the cable car to the valley and walk to Evolène. Overnight in Evolène.

Note: Depending on the group, your guide might propose to do the longer and more strenuous route via the Col de Riedmatten and descend to Arolla where we will catch the bus to Evolène.

Ascent 800m / Descent  200m

Meals: B L D

The morning will offer us a private transfer to Mayen de Cotter to start our day’s hiking. A climb to the Torrent pass (2915m) will offer us a stunning panoramic view of the 4000m peaks of Valais. From there we will hike down to Moiry lake and its stunning turquoise coloured water. Finally to complete today’s hike we will catch a bus to either Zinal, Grimentz or Saint Luc (depending on accommodation for the night).

Ascent 1200m / Descent 1300m

Meals: B L D

Today’s stage takes us high up in a mountain atmosphere. Depending on our previous nights accommodation our trekking will be either departure from Zinal, climbing to Forcletta pass (2875m), via Le Chiesso and Tsahelett; or departure from Saint Luc, climbing to the Meidpass pass (2790m) via the Roua pasture and the Armina lake – all spectacular options. The descent to the hamlet of Gruben in the Turtmanntal valley is like a hike into the past – remote and relatively undisturbed. The valley with its one hiker’s hotel affords a beautiful and restful stopover. Overnight Schwarzhorn Hotel.

Ascent 1200m / Descent 1100m

Meals: B L D

Today we cross the last pass of the Haute Route, the Augstbordpass. During the Middle Ages the Augstbordpass (2900m) was an important trading route between the Berner Oberland and Italy. One of the finest stages of the route, today’s hike leads through woodlands, pastures, and stony wilderness offering spectacular views of high mountain peaks including the Dom de Michabel and the
Weisshorn. With a little luck, it is possible to watch the chamois, numerous and relatively not shy in this surrounding. We descend to the village of St Niklaus by cable car. Transfer to Zermatt by train. Overnight Zermatt.

Ascent 1300 m / Descent 1200m

Meals: B L D

Our final day of hiking begins with a loop trek above Zermatt along the Edelweiss trail, which offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic view of Zermatt and its 4000m peaks and glaciers, the north face of the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Liskamm, and Breithorn. We then hike down to the moraine of the Zmutt glacier, before going through the charming village of Zmutt where we might enjoy a drink before completing our descent to Zermatt and the end of our journey. Overnight Zermatt.

Ascent 1400m / Descent 1400m

Meals: B L

** Please note that dinner on this final night is at your own expense. If you would like to have a celebratory dinner with your fellow trekkers, your Trip Leader will make a booking for your group in Zermatt.

Your adventure finishes today. You are free to stay on in Zermatt or continue your travels.

Meals: B

• 6 nights’ accommodation in small hotels or the best refuges available
• 2 nights’ accommodation in Zermatt
• Twin-share accommodation (1 night will be triple or quad accommodation – Night 2)
• Daily meals as outlined above
• Local briefing in Martigny
• Group transfers 
• Experienced, licensed, English speaking International Mountain Leader
• Luggage transfers on all but 1 trekking day (Night 2)
• Lift passes

• Sleeping sheet/liner & pillow case  (for night 2)
• Travel trekking towel (for night 2)
• Flights
• Airport transfers
• Drinks other than water at meals
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Personal transfers 
• Travel insurance