Getting there
- Flights to Annecy (NCY) 60 km from the start
- Flights to Geneva (GVA) 70 km from the start
Treks / France · Switzerland
Walker's Haute Route
France · Switzerland · Nearest city: Geneva (also Chamonix, Zermatt)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days12–14
Distance≈ 180 km
Climbing≈ 12,000 m
Highest point2,965 m
The classic walking route from Chamonix to Zermatt, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. It crosses eleven passes and ends with some of the finest views in the Alps.
Fitness
Very hard
Best seasonJuly to mid-September
High pointCol de Prafleuri
Watch out: Long, steep days with big climbs back to back. Some passes hold snow into July.
Why people choose it
It links the two most iconic mountains of the Alps, Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, and many consider it more spectacular and more demanding than the TMB.
What makes it different
- A point-to-point journey rather than a loop
- Eleven passes, several close to 3,000 m
- Ends with the Matterhorn rising over Zermatt
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
EU 'roam like at home' doesn't apply in Switzerland, and many plans charge extra there. A Europe data eSIM covers Switzerland too.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
This trek reaches 2,965 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Rules vary. In many mountain areas a bivouac from dusk to dawn is tolerated, but national parks have strict zones. Check the park's rules before you pitch.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (209.3 km) Route variant Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Chamonix → Champex → Verbier → Arolla → Zinal → Gruben → St. Niklaus → Zermatt
Simple overview map
Step by step
-
Months before
Plan and book
- Book huts or accommodation as soon as reservations open, starting with the busiest nights.
- Best time to go: July to mid-September.
-
6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
-
Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Geneva.
-
On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
- In huts, boots stay in the boot room, dinner is served at a set time and lights go out around 10 pm.
-
The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: July to mid-September
June to early July
Early season
Snow patches linger on north-facing slopes and high passes. Huts are just opening, meadows are full of flowers and paths are quieter.
Bring
- Microspikes or light crampons for snow patches
- Gaiters
- Warmer layers for cold mornings
Mid-July to August
Peak season
Most reliable weather, but also the busiest huts and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Hot in the valleys.
Bring
- Sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Rain jacket for storms
- Hut bookings made months ahead
September
Late season
Clear, stable days and fewer people, but shorter daylight, cold nights and some huts closing mid to late September.
Bring
- Down jacket for cold evenings
- Headlamp for early starts
- Check hut closing dates
Be ready for
Snow patches
Early in the season, snow can cover the path on high ground. Microspikes or crampons and some experience make these sections safer.
Long descents
Long downhills are harder on your knees than the climbs. Poles, well-laced boots and slow steps make a big difference.
Afternoon storms
Thunderstorms often build after midday in summer. Start early, cross passes and summits before noon, and never shelter under lone trees or on ridges.
Big climbs
Some days climb 1,000 m or more. Train with stairs and a loaded pack, and use trekking poles.
What you'll see
7 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Walker's Haute Route
Photo credits: Matterhorn from Domhütte by Photo: chil, on Camptocamp.org Derivative work:Zacharie Grossen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Arolla by the author named on its Commons page, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Chamonix valley from la Flégère by Ximonic, Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Alpes by Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Zinal depuis Le Belvédère - panorama by Christian David, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Refuge du Rothorn by Christian David, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Charles Kuonen Hängebrücke Panorama by Daniel Reust, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
.jpg){kind=link}
