Trekking Chamonix to Zermatt

Trekking Chamonix to Zermatt is the definitive guide to the Walker's Haute Route – a 14-stage, 215km traverse of the Pennine Alps connecting the world's two greatest mountaineering centres, with 14,500m of ascent and the summits of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn watching over every step.

The route crosses 11 high passes, almost one per day, through some of the finest alpine scenery in Europe. From Chamonix you climb over the Col de Balme into Switzerland and begin a traverse that takes you beneath the Grand Combin, along the shores of Lac des Dix, over the Col de Riedmatten to Arolla, and into the deeply cut valleys of the Val d'Hérens and Val d'Anniviers. The Europaweg – a true high-level traverse of the east wall of the Mattertal – forms a spectacular finale, with the 500m Charles Kuonen Hängebrücke, and an overnight stay in the Europahütte before the final walk into Zermatt. Nine alternative stages, including the Fenêtre d'Arpette, the Cabane des Dix and Cabane de Moiry overnights and the Meidpass variant, give experienced trekkers plenty of scope to personalise the route.

Chamonix is easily reached by rail from Geneva, Lausanne or Basle, with high-speed connections from across Europe, including Eurostar from London via Paris. Zermatt is served by regular valley trains connecting at Visp in the Rhône valley. Along the route, accommodation ranges from valley hotels and gîtes to Swiss Alpine Club (CAS) mountain huts, each providing good dinners, mountain camaraderie and an authentic piece of alpine life. A 12-day schedule is the norm, though itineraries for 10 and 14 days are provided throughout. The guide suits fit, experienced mountain walkers who are ready for a longer and higher-level challenge than the Tour of Mont Blanc.

• 14 main stages plus nine alternatives covering about 215km and 14,500m of ascent across 11 high passes. Flexible itineraries for 10, 12 or 14 days let you match the route to your schedule and fitness level.
• Iconic scenery at every turn: the soaring aiguilles of the Mont Blanc massif, the vast bulk of the Grand Combin, the Weisshorn dominating the second half of the trek, and the Matterhorn as a constant companion on the final approach to Zermatt. The Lac de Moiry icefall, the Cabane du Mont Fort belvedere and the deep pastoral valleys of the Val d'Hérens and Val d'Anniviers add variety between the high passes.
• Key challenges include the Fenêtre d'Arpette – a steep, scree-laden descent early in the trek – the remote Grand Désert crossing with three cols in a single day, the rocky Col de Riedmatten, and the high-level Europaweg finale with its 500m Charles Kuonen suspension bridge and overnight at the Europahütte.
• GPX files for all stages are available to download, with 1:50,000 stage maps and height profiles in the guide for every day on the trail.
• A stage facilities planner shows distances and times between accommodation, refreshments and transport points – essential for building your own itinerary. Full accommodation listings cover valley hotels, gîtes and Swiss Alpine Club (CAS) mountain huts, with booking advice for the busiest sections.
• Several stages follow Swiss National Walking Route 6 – The Alpine Passes Trail, one of Switzerland's great long-distance routes, so signage is reliable and waymarking consistent across the Swiss portion of the trek.

The Swiss Pennine Alps offer some of the most spectacular high-mountain scenery in Europe, and the Walker's Haute Route places you at the heart of it. Trekking Chamonix to Zermatt equips you fully – from planning tools and stage-by-stage maps to route alternatives and accommodation listings. Buy the guide and start planning your trek today.