HAUTE ROUTE TREK

Trip Details

An 11 day trek from Argentiere to Zermatt

'The Walkers Haute Route' is one of the worlds great multi-day treks taking a linear route across the spine of the Alps and linking the famous mountaineering capitals of Chamonix and Zermatt.

Although demanding at times, the Haute Route Trek is a non-technical trek suitable for those people who would like to experience walking in the alps without tackling any technically difficult routes. A spectacular trek the Haute Route passes beneath 10 of the 12 highest peaks in the alps, crossing several high passes and traversing two small glaciers. The lower section of the trek takes you through green Alpine valleys and flower strewn meadows. The complete trek is on path and track with the occasional section of ladders / cables, which can be avoided by taking a longer route round if preferred. The McNab Alpine Haute Route Trek also includes 2 support days when luggage can be exchanged at your accommodation.

For

Enthusiastic and fit walkers who are looking for a challenge without the use of technical equipment.

Itinerary in brief

Day One: Arrival at Chalet McNab in Argentiere
Day Two: Argentiere to Trient
Day Three: Trient to Champex
Day Four: Champex to Mont Fort Refuge
Day Five: Mont Fort Refuge to Cabane de Prafleuri
Day Six: Cabane de Prafleuri to Arolla
Day Seven: Arolla to La Sage
Day Eight: La Sage to Zinal
Day Nine: Zinal to Gruben Meiden
Day Ten: Gruben Meiden to St. Niklaus
Day Eleven: St. Niklaus to Europaweg
Day Twelve: Europaweg to Zermatt
Day Thirteen: Departure day.

Detailed Itinerary:

This gives a brief description of each daily section with approximate mileage's and times. The guide may change the itinerary depending on the conditions of the route and the weather.

Day One - Arrival at Chalet McNab

Chalet McNab will be your home for the first and final evening of your trek. Tucked away at the end of a lane and at the foot of the Aiguille Rouge, the chalet, with spectacular views, comfort and great cooking is a great place to start and end your trek. Arrival time can be anytime on the Saturday, rooms will be available from 2pm. Transfers from Geneva airport can be arranged if required.
Afternoon tea of home made cakes and tea is served at 5pm and dinner is served at 7.30pm when your guide will join you for an informal chat and to answer any questions.

Day Two - Argentiere - Trient via Col du Balme.

After a filling breakfast our trek starts straight from the front door with a walk along the Petite Balcon Nord to Le Tour situated at the top end of the valley. From here we start our ascent up to the Col du Balme (2186m) before heading down into Switzerland where we spend the first night in a mountain refuge in the village of Trient (1300m).

Walking Time 5 - 6 hours / Distance 12km / Height Gain 953m / Height Loss 925m <

Day Three (A) - Trient - Champex (Via Fenetre)

An early start and spectacular views of the Trient Glacier as we climb to the Fenetre D'Arpette which provides stunning views of the Trient Plateau. It's all down hill after that until we reach the pretty village of Champex where we spend our third night.

Walking Time 6 hours / Distance 14km / Height Gain 1386m / Height Loss 1199m
Accommodation at the Relais d'Arpette in Champex.
Support Day: Items can be brought from the chalet and sent back to the Chalet.

Day Three (B) - Champex

(Bad Weather Alternative Via Bovine) Walking Time 6 hours / Distance 16km / Height Gain 876m / Height Loss 657m

Day Four - Champex - Mont Fort Refuge

From Champex we travel along the side of the pretty valley Val des Bagnes to Le Chable via Sembrancher. From Le Chable we avoid a lesser interesting ascent and enjoy spectacular views by taking the cable car up the mountain side to Verbier. From Verbier it is just over an hour to our mountain refuge the Cabane du Mont Fort.

Walking Time 5.5 hours / Distance 24km / Height Gain 1740m (1300m via Telepherique) / Height Loss 749m
Accommodation: Mountain refuge: Cabane du Mont Fort.

Day Five - Mont Fort Refuge - Cabane de Prafleuri

Three mountain passes in one day, Day 5 is a spectacular day in the mountains. The trek stays high starting at 2394m it passes over 3 cols (Termin, Louvie and Prafleuri) all between 2,900m and 3000m before arriving at the Cabane de Prafleuri at 2624m.

Walking Time 5.5 hours / Distance 13km / Height Gain 629m / Height Loss 462m
Accommodation: Mountain refuge: Cabane de Prafleuri.

Day Six - Cabane de Prafleuri - Arolla

A short climb sees us at the Col de Roux from where we drop gently down towards the beautiful green waters of the Lac de Dix. With great views of the Mt Blanc de Cheilon and Pigne D'Arolla we continue along the edge of the lake to a spectacular suspension bridge. From here we can ascend by via ferrata ladders to the Pas de Chevres, or a longer scramblier path to the Col de Riedmatten before descending to Arolla and our bed for the night.

Walking Time 5 - 7 hours / Distance 16km / Height Gain 735m / Height Loss 1361m.
Accommodation: Hotel de la Tza.

Day Seven - Arolla - La Sage/Villa

Past half way of the trek and day 7 is in comparison a rest day, with leisurely walks through the lower valley before heading up into the high mountains the following day. The start is a gentle ascent through woodland to Lac Bleu a favourite local beauty spot. From here it's a descent through wooded gorges to Les Haudres and an ascent which finishes this stage at the hamlet of La Sage.

Walking Time 4 hours / Distance 11km / Height Gain 215m / Height Loss 546m

Day Eight - La Sage - Zinal

Back into the high mountains, we make the long but not difficult climb to the Col de Torrent (2916m). From here we can see Lac Moiry to which we descend before ascending once more to the Col de Sorebois which provides spectacular views of the Weisshorn, Dent Blanche and Zinal Rothorn. Finally we descend to our overnight at Zinal.

Walking Time 8 hours / Distance 18km / Height Gain 2000m / Height Loss 1850m

Day Nine - Zinal - Gruben Meiden

A steep but pleasant ascent through forest paths opens onto a superb track with breathtaking views of the Zinal, Rothorn and occassional sitings of our goal, the Matterhorn. We take a break at the Hotel Weisshorn before a leisurely trek to the Col at Meidpass, 2,790m before dropping steeply down to Gruben Meiden in the Turtmantel. That evening we live it up a little in a hotel in the beautiful village of Gruben.

Walking Time 7 hours / Distance 19km / Height Gain 1315m / Height Loss 1167m

Day Ten - Gruben Meiden - St Niklaus

After a night of luxury, day 10 is a trek to match. Starting through spacious woodland, over high pastures and stoney wildnerness, the trek opens up to some of the most spectacular views in the Swiss alps. The final pass is the Augstbordpass from where we descend steeply to the pretty hamlet of Jungen and on again into the Mattertal and the town of St Niklaus

Walking Time 7 hours / Distance 16km / Height Gain 1072m / Height Loss 1767m

Day Eleven - St Niklaus - Europaweg

This is a recently created high-level walk on the east side of the Mattertal Valley. The route starts in Grachen (just above St. Niklaus) and climbs through grassy alps and between pretty hamlets towards the rocky ridge of the Grathorn (2273m.). The high point of today's route is at around 2700 metres, and offers fantastic views across to the Weisshorn. Our overnight stop is at the new Europaweg hut, situated on a steep hillside amongst huge boulders and tall pine trees.

Walking Time: 7 hours walking.

Day Twelve - Europaweg - Zermatt

Our final day of trekking takes us across an impressive mountainside, beneath the Dom and Taschhorn. After the first 45 minutes, we have our first views of the Matterhorn and soon thereafter Zermatt comes into view. There are sections of this new path which have been cut into the hillside and even a couple of tunnels. The first habitation that we encounter today (and the first refreshment stop) is at Ottavan on a high alp above the village of Tasch we walk into Zermatt. At Zermatt there's time to enjoy a drink whilst admiring the impressive sight of the majestic Matterhorn. From here we transfer back to Chalet McNab in Argentiere for a well deserved celebratory meal.

Walking Time: 7 hours walking.

Day Thirteen: Departure Day.

Please feel free to book your flights anytime of the day. Rooms need to be vacated by 10.30am, but guests are welcome to leave their luggage in the foyer. Transfers to the airport can be arranged if required.

CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY.

Changes to the itinerary are at the discretion of the Trekking Guide. These changes may be made due to weather conditions, conditions on the mountains, changes in accommodation, or fitness of the group.

Price includes:

• 11 days trekking with qualified mountain leaders.
• 11 nights accommodation in gite type accommodation.
  Guests should note that the accommodation can sometimes be basic and guests will be required to share rooms with other guests.
• 2 day vehicle support
• All breakfasts and evening meals.
• Lift passes and return transfer from Zermatt to Argentiere.

Price does not include:

• Mountain Insurance,
• Flights,
• Transfers to and from the airport,
• Lunches.