| Chamonix - Zermatt Hiking Program |  |
Day 1 – Arrive Chamonix
Arrive in the beautiful Chamonix Valley and enjoy an afternoon excursion to the Aiguille du Midi on the world's highest vertical ascent cable car. Ascent: 200 feet | Descent: 200 feet | Distance: 2 miles
Day 2 – Trient to Champex
Our first day on the trail instantly captures the sweeping views, forests, and alpine meadows which you'll find throughout the Haute Route. Evening at our lakeside hotel in Champex-Lac.
Ascent: 3047 feet | Descent: 2328 feet | Distance: 10 miles
Day 3 – Champex to Verbier
A gentle descent through valley farms and traditional Swiss farming villages before arriving at the exclusive alpine resort of Verbier on the sunny eastern side of Mont Blanc.
Ascent: 350 feet | Descent: 2457 feet | Distance: 8 miles
Day 4 – Verbier to Cabane de Louvie
Today’s route ascends steeply above the Val de Bagnes along the Sentier des Chamois with commanding views of the Bagnes valley below. You’ll arrive at the Cabane de Louvie on the shore of the beautiful Lac de Louvie with dramatic views of the Grand Combin. Excellent wildlife viewing is expected.
Ascent: 1290 feet | Descent: 1390 feet | Distance: 8 miles
Day 5 – Cabane de Louvie to Prafleuri
Today the terrain becomes rugged and we cross two challenging passes, Louvie and Prafleuri, the highest pass on the Hiker's Haute Route. You’ll dip into a rocky glacial section and ford a runoff stream—a perfect setting to study glacial retreat. This evening we stay at the lively Cabane de Prafleuri.
Ascent: 3265 feet | Descent: 1834 feet | Distance: 10 miles
Day 6 – Prafleuri to Arolla
After cresting a small pass, you’ll follow the lakeshore to the moraine of the Chelion Glacier where edelweiss dot the rocky slopes. Crossing the dramatic Riedmatten Pass, you’ll have your first view of the Matterhorn, before descending into Arolla, one of the most charming alpine villages along the route and a popular base for day hikes in the Swiss Alps.
Ascent: 2410 feet | Descent: 4438 feet | Distance: 10 miles
Day 7 – Arolla to Grimentz
Our choice of the Col de Torrent or the Col de Tsaté will depend on how much distance you want to hike. Either way, the sweeping alpine slopes are a delight. Snowcapped peaks like Dent Blanche (14,380) are nearby as you descend into meadows of wildflowers before arriving at Lac de Moiry. You’ll stay in the ancient village of Grimentz one of the most picturesque and historic villages in the Alps and a favorite of hikers on the Haute Route, where you’ll stroll the cobblestone paths and visit the mill on the Marais.
Ascent: 2686 feet | Descent: 2198 feet | Distance: 8 miles
Day 8 – Grimentz to St-Luc
A forest ascent leads above tree line to offer views of the Val d'Anniviers and the crown of four 4,000 meter peaks, including the Matterhorn. Evening in St-Luc
Ascent: 2378 feet | Descent: 2236 feet | Distance: 9 miles
Day 9 – Grimentz to Gruben
Today you’ll leave the French-speaking region of Valais, cross the Meidpass and enter the German-speaking region of the Haute Route trail. Hiking along sparkling mountain streams you arrive in the quiet hamlet of Gruben where you’ll spend the evening.
Ascent: 1981 feet | Descent: 3175 feet | Distance: 9 miles
Day 10 – Gruben to Zermatt
Crossing the final pass of the trip, the legendary Augstbordpass, you’ll have sweeping views of Dom, the highest peak entirely within Switzerland, Weisshorn, and the curves of the Aletschgletscher. As you descend into Jungen, a exciting gondola ride takes you to the valley floor, where the train to Zermatt awaits.
Ascent: 3517 feet | Descent: 3079 feet | Distance: 8 miles
Day 11 – Zermatt
After completing the Haute Route, you'll enjoy a rest, but you won't want to miss a chance at some of the best dayhikes Zermatt as to offer including walks to quaint villages like Zmutt and Findeln, or panoramic hikes along the Höhbalmen overlooking the north face of the Matterhorn.
Ascent: ~1900 feet | Descent: ~1900 feet | Distance: ~6 miles
Day 12 – Zermatt to Geneva or Zurich
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
