The Haute Route Trek

'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.

We offer private and scheduled Haute Route treks. Both run with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12.

For

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

Chalet McNab will be your home for the first, second 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. You can arrive at any time during the day. Rooms are ready at 3pm but you can leave your luggage in the foyer, head out to look around or make yourself at home in the lounge. 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.

From experience we have found it always useful to have a warm up day. A chance to stretch your legs and more importantly think about what you will need and won't need. It is also nice to settle in a little before heading out, so for this reason, (and because the accommodation in Trient is not anywhere nearly as nice as our own chalet) we bring you back to the chalet for the second evening. Here you can shower at ease, soak in the hot tub and readdress your backpack for the next few days.

The first leg: 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 Trient in Switzerland

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

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.

Day 3 (B) - Champex

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

The route:

Changes to the route 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.

Number of support days:

The trek (and price) includes 2 support days. There is the option of having 3 or 4 support days. Please see price options

Accommodation:

The accommodation included is a mixture of mountain refuges (no choice) gites and 2* hotels. On 3 nights, there is the option of changing the accommodation. Please see price options for further details.

• 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 vehicle support days - Day 6 at Arolla (end of 4th day unsupported) and again after another 3 days unsupported on Day 9 at Gruben Meiden
• All breakfasts and evening meals.
• Lift passes and return transfer from Zermatt to Argentiere.

Extra support days. If you would like more support during your trip we can offer one or two extra support days. Support days could then be at the end of Day 4, Day 6, Day 8 and Day 10.

The additional cost for extra support is a one off price of £260.00 for the van and driver.
Alternative accommodation: The Haute Route Trek in its essence is a rough and ready trek with basic accommodation. In several places on the Haute Route the only accommodation is a mountain refuge. When there is a choice of accommodation we use the standard Haute Route Trek accommodation which is gites or 2* hotels. It is possible in Champex, Arolla, Zinal and St. Nicklaus to upgrade to a 3* hotel. To do so the extra price per person (for half-board accommodation) is £240.00.

Price does not include:

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