Arrive in Europe and make your way to Chamonix, France, the stylish mountaineering village at the base of Mont Blanc. The trip to Chamonix is straight forward and very scenic. If you arrive early, you might consider a couple days on your own in Chamonix at the start of the trip.

Relax in the evening at your cozy village hotel. There are a lot of superb options for dinner this evening, and we will give you a list of some of our favorite restaurants in town.  Your Haute Route adventure begins!

Arrival: Geneva.  Plan to arrive by the day your tour starts.  You can book a private or shared shuttle from GVA to Chamonix.  The trip takes 1½ hrs.  We recommend booking early with Mountain Dropoffs or Chamonix Valley Transfers.

On your first hiking day of the Classic Haute Route, cross the Col de Balme into Switzerland, with sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley.

Finish the day at a small hiker’s inn at Trient or nearby Col de la Forclaz.  Double rooms are typically available, with shared bathroom, but not guaranteed for all dates, since this is also part of the popular TMB route.  If all inns here are full, we can arrange a 2nd night in Chamonix, and taxi transfer to Forclaz for tomorrow’s hike.

You’ll have 2 hiking choices today, crossing either a high, rocky pass with rugged glacier views, or a taking a more moderate hike through woods and farms.  Both lead to the charming lakeside village of Champex.

For an easier day, an undulating trail leads through alpine pastures and pine forests, with sweeping views of the Rhone Valley along the Bovine route.  Weather permitting, a more rigorous option leads up to the high pass of Fenetre d’Arpette, one of the highest points along the tour, with impressive views of the Trient Glacier.   Regardless of which path you choose, you will finish at the pretty, lakeside village of Champex and stay in a comfortable hotel.

After a morning transfer by bus and train to Verbier, you’ll hike high above the valley, through meadows filled with mountain goats, on a gorgeous panoramic hike above Verbier.

As you hike, you’ll gaze upon the snowy white crown of the Grand Combin mountain before crossing a small pass. Descend to the lakeside Louvie hut, a small and very friendly alpine club hut high in the mountains, and always one of our favorites.  Spend a peaceful evening high in a typical alpine setting.

A rugged day brings you across 2 passes and through a remote, wild region filled with glaciers and rocky peaks known as the Grand Desert.  This is one of the tougher days of the hike, with rugged trails and high elevations all day.  If the weather is bad, it’s possible to skip this section by taxi or train, and hike a more straightforward trail up to the hut from the Dixence reservoir.

Finish the day at the lively Prafleuri hut.  This is a simple hut with large dorms and only 1 small bathroom, but they do a nice job with meals, and are perfectly located for the next stage of the hike.

The Haute Route continues past the Grand Dixence, a huge reservoir filled with turquoise glacier water, and then up to Dix hut, spectacularly perched on a lonely rock outcrop and surrounded by glaciers and mountains. It’s a beautiful corner of the Alps, surrounded by mountains and glaciers.

After passing the lake, a rocky ascent then brings you to the ladders at the Pas du Chevres pass. The ladders are thrilling but solid. Finally a long meandering descent brings you to the tiny village of Arolla, and our comfortable village hotel.

Dinner is on your own tonight. Your hotel has a nice ala carte restaurant.

A morning bus transfer brings you across the valley to the hamlet of la Sage, where you start your hike.  A long, steady ascent leads over the pass to the beautiful Val d’Anniviers and more stunning mountain scenery.

Descend to the Moiry reservoir and then up again to the newly renovated Moiry hut, a gorgeous base camp surrounded by a sea of ice.  The views from the hut are simply stunning.  You stay in their small 4-person dorms.  Moiry hut represents a small detour from the classic Haute Route, but one that we always look forward to.  If you prefer a village hotel, we can book you in a 3-star hotel in nearby Grimentz tonight instead.

A slightly easier day leads you over a minor pass and gives you a chance to further explore the Val d’Anniviers, an unforgettable valley with a great blend of ancient villages, quiet trails, and breathtaking views.

Traverse to the Sorebois pass, then descend to the village of Zinal, a postcard-perfect village of dark timbered houses bursting with colorful geraniums.  If you’re looking to add a rest day in the middle of your Haute Route trip, Zinal is a very good choice, with a handsome village and tons of beautiful hikes into the surrounding mountains.

Another day, another high pass, as your Haute Route itinerary continues over the Meidpass to the Turtmann Valley and into the German-speaking portion of the Wallis. Capped by the stunning Weisshorn mountain, this is a quiet, wonderful valley with surprising views around every corner.

Stay at a hiker’s inn at the base of the valley.  Private rooms are normally available with bathroom down the hall, especially if booking early, but they also have spacious dorms if the rooms are booked.

Your final pass brings us up to more grand views of the Weisshorn and Dom, two of Switzerland’s highest mountains, before dropping down to the valley where you catch a short train ride to Zermatt.

Zermatt is a lively village, filled with energy and history, and dominated by the towering presence of the Matterhorn. It also retains its alpine charm, with quiet back alleys, scenic nearby hamlets, and classy shops. Check out the town, take a short walk around Zermatt, or enjoy the local Matterhorn museum or the spa, before settling in for dinner at your friendly village hotel.

Zermatt is an incredible village, and we like an extra day here to explore.  There are a ton of great options.  The hike up to Hörnli hut is a classic.  This hut is perched high on the Hörnli ridge of the Matterhorn and serves a sort of Matterhorn base camp for climbers, as well as a stunning destination for hikers.  It’s a fitting finish to a mountain-filled tour.

Or you can choose to spend the day in this very relaxing, car-free village, book a massage, take in the sights, and unwind after a fantastic hike.  Enjoy a final celebratory dinner at our hotel tonight.

After breakfast at your hotel, depart for your post-trip destinations.  There is a train station in Zermatt with frequent departures.

Departure: Zürich or Geneva. It is 4 hrs from Zermatt to Zürich or Geneva by train.  Trains start at 6 am if you need an early start, and leave frequently throughout the day.