Trekking Chamonix to Zermatt 2024

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A definitive guide to one of the most spectacular long-distance treks in the Alps, crossing 11 high passes between Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Packed with expert insight, detailed route descriptions, and essential planning advice to help you tackle this challenging adventure with confidence.

Cicerone says: 

Guidebook to the Walker’s Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. The 225km route typically takes 2 weeks to walk. Described in 14 stages, the route crosses 11 passes between Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn and involves more than 14,000m of ascent and descent. A complete guide for planning and walking the route, with accommodation information.

Seasons – Alpine summer walking, so mid-June to mid-September; snow could remain on higher passes well into July.
Centres – Chamonix, Argentière, Trient, Champex, Sembrancher, Le Chable, Verbier, Arolla, Les Haudères, La Sage, Zinal, Gruben, St Niklaus, Zermatt
Difficulty – 225km, 11 passes and 14,000m of ascent make this a fairly tough trek; high alpine mountain walking, some sharp cols
Must See – Mont Blanc and Chamonix’s Aiguilles, Grand Combin, the Grand Desért, the fabulous Vals d’Hérens and Moiry, the Twära view of the Dom, Weisshorn, the view of the Matterhorn on the approach to Zermatt

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

We have used them countless times and they’ve always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.

If you’re a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Contains step-by-step description of the route alongside 1:100,000 OS maps reproduced at 1:75,000 for better clarity
• Includes a separate map booklet containing OS 1:25,000 mapping and route line
• GPX files available to download
• The book features a facilities planner that highlights information about facilities and public transport along the route
• Full accommodation listings are included

Specifications

• Weight: 291g
• Edition: Seventh
• Number of pages: 256
• Size: 17.20 x 11.60 x 1.45cm

Contents

• CONTENTS
• Mountain safety
• Overview map
• Map key
• Route summary table
• Preface
• Introduction
• The Walker’s Haute Route
• Getting there and back again
• Accommodation
• When to go
• Notes for walkers
• Not enough time?
• Equipment
• Languages
• Paths and waymarks
• Safety in the mountains
• Wildlife and plants
• Maps
• Recommended apps
• Using this guide
• Chamonix to Zermatt
• Stage 1 Chamonix – Argentière
• Stage 2 Argentière – Col de Balme – Trient
• Stage 3 Trient – Fenêtre d’Arpette – Champex
• Stage 3A Trient – Col de la Forclaz – Alp Bovine – Champex
• Stage 4 Champex – Sembrancher – Le Châble
• Stage 5 Le Châble – Clambin – Cabane du Mont Fort
• Stage 5A Le Châble (Les Ruinettes) – Col Termin – Cabane de Louvie
• Stage 6 Cabane du Mont Fort – Col Termin – Col de Louvie – Col de Prafleuri – Cabane de Prafleuri
• Stage 7 Cabane de Prafleuri – Col des Roux – Pas de Chèvres – Arolla
• Stage 8 Arolla – Lac Bleu – Les Haudères – La Sage
• Stage 9 La Sage – Col du Tsaté – Cabane de Moiry
• Stage 9A La Sage – Col de Torrent – Barrage de Moiry/Grimentz
• Stage 10 Cabane de Moiry – Col de Sorebois – Zinal
• Stage 10A Barrage de Moiry – Col de Sorebois – Zinal
• Stage 11 Zinal – Forcletta – Gruben
• Stage 11A Zinal – Hôtel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola
• Stage 11B Hôtel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola – Meidpass – Gruben
• Stage 12 Gruben – Augstbordpass – St Niklaus
• Stage 12A St Niklaus – Grächen/Gasenried
• Stage 13 St Niklaus – Europa Hut
• Stage 13B Grächen – Europa Hut
• Stage 14 Europa Hut – Täschalp – Zermatt
• Stage 13A/14A St Niklaus – Täsch – Zermatt
• Appendix A Walks from Zermatt
• Appendix B Climbing from Zermatt
• Appendix C Useful contacts
• Appendix D Bibliography
• Appendix E Glossary