ITINERARY - WALKER'S HAUTE ROUTE - Inns & Huts
(9 days, download full itinerary as pdf file)
Day 1: Transfer day
Meet in Chamonix. Welcome dinner to discuss details of the trip.
Day 2: Verbier to Cabane du Mont Fort
Transfer to Verbier in the Val de Bagnes in order to purchase snacks/lunches and begin the trek. Hike up to the Cabane du Mont Fort.
Overnight in this Swiss Alpine Club hut with incredible views out towards the Mont Blanc Range.
4 hours of hiking. Double-rooms or dormitories. Shared bathrooms with showers. No luggage transfer.
Day 3: Cabane du Mont Fort to Cabane de Pra Fleuri
One of our longer days of the trek as we cross three mountain passes; Col de la Chaux, Louvie and Pra Fleuri.
8 hours of hiking. Overnight in the newly built Cabane de Pra Fleuri. 6-8 hours of hiking. Dormitories, shared bathrooms with showers. No luggage transfer.
Day 4: Cabane de Pra Fleuri to Arolla
The day begins with a short climb to the Col des Roux and views out towards the Dix dam and lake. The Dix hut, our lunch destination, is an engineering marvel, perched on a rocky outcrop jutting out towards the glacier below. This hut is very popular and the ambience is always excellent with guides and their clients coming from all over the mountaineering world. Weather-permitting, we will have a picnic with our first glimpse of the Matterhorn.
At the hut, we can purchase cold drinks and pastries before crossing the Cheillon glacier and up towards the Reidmatten. The climb to the pass is steep and requires some care, but the views at the top are well worth the effort. A steep decent takes us to Arolla.
Once a thriving summer destination a century ago, this sleepy town is still a gem built at roughly 2000 meters above sea level. Grand old hotels, hark back to the 'Golden Age of Mountaineering' when wealthy clients hired guides for months at a time and climbed the surrounding peaks.
Our night's accommodation is a majestic old hotel, with modern amenities and an excellent restaurant. Double rooms and luggage transfer.
Day 5: Arolla to Cabane de Moiry
Taking the early morning Swiss Post bus from Arolla, we descend to the village of Les Hauderes and then on to La Forclaz. A steep hike awaits us as we wind our way up through pastures, and past small raccards or shepherds' huts.
Once above tree line the pass is visible in the distance. Views from the Col du Tsate are incredible as the large Glacier de Moiry unfolds before us as we head down to the Cabane de Moiry for a much deserved rest.
8 hours of walking. Dormitory accommodation. No luggage transfer.
Day 6: Cabane de Moiry to Zinal
An alpine start awaits us as a long day is in store. We leave the Moiry hut and the glaciers behind as we follow a path called the 'Haut Tour du Lac' or high-level lake traverse.
The Moiry lake is iridescent, changing from turquoise to green, contrasting amazingly with the snow capped mountains above. This is one of the more memorable hikes of the trip. Following a contour line above the Moiry dam, we hike towards the Col de Sorbois before descending to Zinal.
Overnight in double rooms in a small inn. No luggage transfer.
Day 7: Zinal to Gruben
Another day is spent above tree line as we hike up to the Forcletta pass. Following well-marked paths, we spend the last few hours in French speaking Switzerland.
The eastern ridgeline above the Val D'Anniviers is the border to the German part of the Valais canton. Gruben, a summer only village is typically Swiss with perfectly maintained homes, immaculate pastures and sweeping views toward the Turtmann Glacier. 8 hours of walking. Overnight in small inn, double rooms. Luggage transfer.
Day 8: Gruben-St Niklaus-Zermatt
Today is our last day of hiking. We climb steeply up towards the Augstbordpass and pass several small lakes where sheep are often found grazing under the watchful eye of a local shepherd.
Making our way to the tiny hamlet of Jungu by mid afternoon allows us to have a drink and snack before taking an amazing, privately owned cable car, which glides down high above the valley floor to St Niklaus.
A short, scenic train journey on a cog railway brings us to our final destination, Zermatt and the majestic Matterhorn.
Overnight in Zermatt. Hotel, luggage transfer.
Day 9: Transfer day
End of trip.
Return to 'Walker's Haute Route' Trip Page
