Haute Route East Arolla to Zermatt, Self-guided
The Eastern part of the classic High Route trek from Chamonix Mont Blanc in France to Zermatt in Switzerland undertaken independently by you with planning and support by us.
7 days holiday | 5 days hiking | flexible dates | configurable
The Eastern part of the Classic Walker's Haute Route is great for any one wishing to tackle the Haute Route, but who may not have the time to complete the full tour in one holiday, or who prefer to break this challenging trek into two smaller parts.
The Eastern tour follows the exact route of the Classic tour from Arolla to Zermatt. Our Eastern section benefits from comfortable hotels all the way to the arrival in historic Zermatt to the sight of the Matterhorn.
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Local Swiss specialities served with a view. The food is delicous on the trail between Chamonix and Zermatt! -
We hike through old farming settlements on the Haute Route, here above Les Hauderes near Arolla. -
The views of the Matterhorn above Zermatt after completing the hike from Chamonix to Zermatt. -
We descend the green valley below the Fenetre d'Arpette on our approach to our hotel in Champex-Lac. -
Admiring the views from the trail out of Cabane Montfort on the Haute Route. -
Cabane Montfort provides a spectacular overnight spot on our Haute Route trek. -
Hiking through the rugged glacial terrain on the Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt -
Stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc when leaving Chamonix via the Aiguillettes des Posettes and entering Switzerland. -
On an interesting alpine trail above the Louvie lake on the Haute Route -
Leaving Chamonix and the Mont Blanc massif on our trek across the Swiss Alps towards Zermatt
TRIP ITINERARY:
Day 1: Meeting in Arolla, Switzerland
You arrive in Arolla and check in at your accommodation. Dinner is served around 18.30, so you should make sure you arrive before that time.
Day 2: From Arolla to the hamlet la Sage
Today you have a wonderful walk through Swiss country side from Arolla to the village La Sage. You traverse high above the valley to a small lake with it's magical green colour. You then drop down to Les Hauderes before a short ascent to the village la Sage. This is a perfect day to warm up and ease your legs into the tour ahead.
DAY 3: From la Sage to Zinal
From La Sage you have a long day ahead. You ascend through Swiss mountain pastures to the Torrent mountain pass. Descending from the pass, keep an eye out for the rare edelweiss, which flowers in this area. The descent takes you to the beautiful Moiry lake and dam where a cafe provides refereshments before your second climb of the day. This time, your climb takes you over the Sorrebois pas and you descend through the Zinal ski area to the village center. It's possible to shorten the descent by taking a cable car.
If you prefer, it's also possible to shorten this day by taking a bus to Zinal from the Moiry Dam.
Day 4: From Zinal to Gruben
From your charming hotel in Zinal, you traverse upwards through pine forest to the Forcletta pass. From the pass you descend into the small Turtmann valley, which is the beginning of the German speaking part of Switzerland. You stay at the historic Schwarzhorn Hotel in the small hamlet of Gruben.
Day 5: From Gruben to St Niklaus
The walking trail starts directly outside your hotel and takes you up to the Augstbordpass. At the pass, you can look into the large Mattertal valley where you’ll be hiking for the rest of your tour. You may even catch your first glimps of the Matterhorn. A wonderful descend takes you through the old hamlet of Jungu before you reach St. Niklaus. It's a long descend so it's possible to take a small cable car from Jungu to St. Niklaus.
Day 6: From St Niklaus to Zermatt
You leave St Niklaus for the final leg of your journey towards your end-destination Zermatt. Today takes you on a relatively gentle walk along a gushing stream in the Mattertal valley. You pass through green meadows and small, traditional villages before, all too soon, we arrive at Zermatt and the end of your journey. The night is spent in a traditional, family run hotel in historic Zermatt.
Day 7: Depart Zermatt, Switzerland
Breakfast at the hotel in Zermatt and the official end of our Haute Route tour.
TRIP DETAILS:
Grade:
Suitable for experienced, independant mountain walkers with a high level of fitness and stamina and an adventurous spirit.
Duration:
7 days holiday with 5 days walking
Accommodation:
6 nights in hotels.
Group size and guides:
Min. 2 people. No max. size and no guide.
Options available:
Bag transfers
Extra nights
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Inclusions:
Expert tour planning and support by Alpine Treks
Detailed route cards
Topographic maps, NOT photo copies
Practical information pack
6 nights accommodation
Meals (6x breakfast and 5x dinners)
ABTOT bonding and passenger protection
Exclusions:
Travel to Arolla and return from Zermatt
Lunches, snacks, drinks and meals not mentioned above
Cable cars and busses if/when used