Haute Route - Summer - Neil Hitchings

Summer Haute Route trek from Chamonix to Zermatt

An eight day trek. Per participant 1000 Euros. Maximum of four participants.

This trek, which links the two alpine capitals, is a multi-day hut to hut adventure traversing alpine valleys, alpine meadows and snow covered glaciers.

This is a wonderful voyage with constantly changing scenery, as one passes by some of the most impressive alpine summits. It is guaranteed to leave an unforgettable impression on your memory.

Arrival day
Meet up in the evening, talk and check gear.

Day 1

A gentle start to the trek. You take the chair lift from the village of Le Tour to the Col de Balme. From the top of the lift the walking starts. A gradual contouring path leads you to the Tour glacier. Then up the lateral moraine to the Albert 1er hut at 2702m. After lunch in the afternoon you will go onto the glacier for some instruction of mountain skills which you will need for the trek. This night will be spent at the Albert 1er hut.

Day 2

This day is a traverse from the Albert 1er hut to Champex village. After a 6 o’clock breakfast you set off walking behind the hut, first over a boulder field and then on to the Tour glacier where you will tie into the rope and put crampons on. You then ascend the glacier to the Col Superior du Tour at 3288m. As you ascend the glacier you have to your right the magnificent Aiguille du Chardonnet. At the col you are entering Switzerland. From the col you traverse the flattish Trient glacier which takes about 1 hour to cross, passing on your right the granite needles of the Aiguilles Dorées. You then pass by the Col d’Orny at 3096m.

From here the route starts to descend down the Val d’Orny, first on glacier then on a well trodden path. There is the possibility of having lunch at the Orny Hut, which will by then be a welcome break.

Another 2 hours walking will bring you to the Breya chair lift. From the base of the chair lift you stroll through the village of Champex to the hotel overlooking the lake.

Day 3

The day starts off with a taxi transfer from Champex to Mauvoisin which is just below the Mauvoisin lake. Again on foot, you traverse the dam.

Then walk above the lake and across alpine meadows where in early summer there is a multitude of alpine flowers.

Four good hours walking brings you to the Chanrion hut (2462m).

Day 4
We ascend the long and seemingly never ending Otemma glacier to the impressively situated Vignettes hut (3160m).

Day 5
We can possibly climb the Pigne d’Arolla (3772m) if still snow covered.

This is the highest point of the trek with a stunning panoramic view all over the Alps, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn and to the Bernese Oberland.

We then descend to the village of Arolla.

That night, we stay at the comfortable Hotel Kurhaus (2100m). This hotel is hidden in a magnificent forest of Arolla pines with a view onto the Mont Collon.

Day 6
We walk along the flat valley which is dominated by the Mont Collon.

From there, an ascending zigzagging path leads us to the Plans de Bertol (2664m) where we have a merited lunch break. Then, we go up to the Bertol hut (3268m) which is impressively perched on a rocky ridge accessed by ladders.

Day 7
This is the big day! From leaving the Bertol hut, we are at high altitude walking roped together. We cross the Mont Miné glacier to the Tête Blanche (3710m).

Then, we descent the Stochji glacier. Along the way, we have stunning views of the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn.

Finally, a rocky scramble leads up to the Schonbiel hut (2694m), which is situated on a moraine shelf opposite the Matterhorn.

Day 8
We enjoy a leisurely 3-4 hours walk into Zermatt.

Generally, after having a drink and a meal most groups take a taxi back to Chamonix.

Note. This itinerary can be changed by the guide at anytime, depending on the weather, snow conditions and the safety of the group.

Level: To take part in one of these treks you should be able to walk for up to 6-8 hours a day carrying a moderately heavy rucksack. These treks are not very difficult technically speaking, but you do need to be roped together when crossing glaciers.

Per participant 1000 Euros. Maximum 4 participants.Included in the trek fee:

Guiding and instruction from the IFMGA certified mountain guide.
Loan of climbing harness.

Not included:

Clients personal equipment
Accommodation in mountain huts and hotels.
Transport: there will be two taxi transfers. Champex-Mauvoisin and Zermatt-Chamonix. Cost of the transfers to be shared between participants.
Meals and drinks.
The guide’s accommodation and meals during the trek

Contact me for more details