Highlights
The route to Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland is a tough 14 – 15 stage trek over 187 kilometers (116 miles), climbing 12,000 meters (39,360ft) and descending 10,000 meters (32,800ft). The scenery is stunning with some of the most beautiful glacier capped panoramas in the world.
Itinerary
Using Geneva, Switzerland as a gateway to the region we completed the 2 week trek in late August to early September of 2019.
The Trail
The route is not one marked trail but rather a series of trails, paths and roads connected to form the route from Chamonix to Zermatt. It is therefore essential to have directions, either a guidebook or app. We used a digital version of Cicerone guidebook, “Chamonix to Zermatt: The Classic Walker’s Haute Route,” by Kev Reynolds. The stage numbers I use in my posts are from this guidebook.
For more detailed information on planning your trip see my post on Planning Tips.
Section of the Europaweg Closed in 2019
For the 2019 season the first section was closed and may remain so until they reroute the trail.
Our plan B was to take the bus from Grachen to St Niklaus to catch the train to Randa and then hike up to Europa Hut from there.
Check out Haute Route Hiking for alternative routes to Europa Hut.
Note that the red line indicates the general direction of the route and not the exact trail.
Walker’s Haute Route – Planning Tips
Sleeping and Dining in Geneva, Switzerland
Journal Entries
Stage 1 – Chamonix to Argentière
Stage 2 – Argentière to Col de la Forclaz
Stage 3 – Col de la Forclaz to Champex via Fenêtre d’Arpette
Stage 4 – Champex to Le Châble
Stage 5 – Le Châble to Cabane du Mont Fort
Stage 6 – Mont Fort to Cabane de Prafleuri
Stage 7 – Cabane de Prafleuri to Arolla
Stage 8 – Arolla to La Sage
Stage 9 – La Sage to Cabane de Moiry
Stage 10 – Cabane de Moiry to Zinal
Stage 11 – Zinal to Gruben
Stage 12 – Gruben to St Niklaus
Stage 13 – Grachen to Europa Hut
Stage 14 – Europa Hut to Zermatt