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The trail starts off with a bang. Your goal is just a little higher up in the Chamonix Valley, but to get there, take the trail to the iconic Lac Blanc. After taking in postcard views of the Mont Blanc massif, descend the TMB ladders as you make your way toward Argentiere.
If you’d like to start the Haute Route more gradually, or if you want to get in some hiking on the day of arrival, you can also hike up the valley directly to Argentiere.
17km and 1350m elevation gain
On your last day in France, you will hike along the ridge of Aiguillette des Possettes to the Col de Balme, the border with Switzerland. From there, you can look back at the magnificent Mont Blanc massif. Leaving France behind, you descend into the Swiss village Trient.
16km and 1200m elevation gain
On day three, you’ll hike over the Fenetre d’Arpette, with spectacular views of the Glacier du Trient. The tricky rocky descent soon turns into a pleasant walk into the green valley, where Champex-Lac, the charming lakeside town, awaits.
In the case of bad weather, the easier Bovine route (part of the Tour du Mont Blanc) is preferable.
15km and 1350m elevation gain
Hiking through less mountainous areas of Switzerland gives you a taste of the country’s beautiful countryside, not often advertised. You will follow the side of the picturesque Val Ferret and into Sembrancher of Val de Bagnes, where you hike along the river towards Le Châble.
14km and 300m elevation gain
From the start of the day, you’ll be climbing steeply on footpaths above the tree line, going through the slopes of the world-renowned Verbier ski resort. As you near the end of your trek, you will be treated to views of another Alpine massif — the Grand Combin — and eventually, reach the Cabane du Mont Fort hut.
12km and 1650m elevation gain
The sixth day of the hike presents itself as a stage full of contrasts — first the panoramic green ridges, then an eerie lunar plateau. Starting with the panoramic trail over Col Termin (optional Col de Louvie), the route will take you to the dying Grand Désert Glacier. It leads right below it, on the barren land of scree and stones. After passing many small lakes, you cross over Col de Prafleuri (2987 m), the highest point on the Haute Route. From there, you’ll soon reach the hut of Cabane de Prafleuri.
17km and 1000m elevation gain
The last stage of the Haute Route will keep you high up in the Alps, with some of the best views on the trail. Lac de Dix will surprise you just over the morning Col. After traversing alongside this 5 km long accumulation lake, you’ll cross over the morain of Glacier de Cheilon. You’ll admire Mont Blanc de Cheilon on your right and could even get a glimpse of Matterhorn in the distance as you cross over Col de Riedmatten. After that highlight, it’s time to head down to Arolla.
With public transport, it’s easy to get to Geneva or Zurich. We can advise you on the best option.
18km and 750m elevation gain
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This week-long version of the iconic Walker’s Haute Route explores its western part, from the Mont Blanc massif to the Pennine Alps.
It follows the traditional route, starting in the French mountaineering mecca of Chamonix and finishing in the Swiss village of Arolla. It is a perfect compromise for those with limited time who still want to experience the Alpine vibe in both France and Switzerland.
The 7 stages here are slightly harder than on its eastern counterpart, but the views are well worth the effort. It will take you around 5-7 hours of hiking each day to reach your goal, be it a cozy mountain hut up high in the mountains or an authentic inn in the valley.
We’ll handle all the details so you can focus on your adventure. We’ll book your accommodations and other services, and a few weeks before setting off, we’ll send you a detailed itinerary booklet with the planned GPS route for your Walker’s Haute Route West trek.
Those who like a good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided tour. We prepare the itinerary and book your accommodations while you enjoy the journey without our guide, being fully in charge of all the daily decisions. While you’ll have the full support of our team in case of any emergencies or concerns, a certain level of self-reliance is required.
Experience the great outdoors on a private guided tour tailored just for you. The tour is for those who want a hastle-free adventure and enjoy the flexibility of a small private group and not stress about the details of everyday planning. The guide will be fully at your disposal to make this experience as personalized as possible, maximizing the enjoyment during and after the tour.
For solo hikers or hikers who wish to meet other like-minded souls, don’t want to stress about tour-planning and other annoying details. We’re going to find you a group of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts and take care of all the other details. The tour will be led by our guide, who’ll make sure everything runs smoothly, ensuring maximum hiking enjoyment.
