Walker's Haute Route (WHR) Self-guided


Top Scenery


Towns and Villages


Challenging Terrain


Private Room Options


Glacier Views


Luggage Transportation
The Walker’s Haute Route is often described as one of the most dramatic and scenic treks in the Alps – a classic Chamonix to Zermatt trekking tour that links Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. On this Walker’s Haute Route self-guided adventure you hike through high, sometimes remote mountain terrain, tackling long days and substantial ascents on almost every stage, so it’s reserved for fit, experienced hikers with determination and a love of adventure.
The “Walker’s” version evolved from the original Haute Route, a summer mountaineering high route between Chamonix and Zermatt conceived and completed by British alpinists in the 1860s. In the early 1900s it also became a famous ski-touring route in winter. Today, the less extreme Walker’s Haute Route lets confident hikers experience this line without glacier travel.
Beginning in the mountain-sports town of Chamonix, France, at the base of Mont Blanc, the trail winds through delightful valleys and traditional villages and climbs a series of exhilarating high passes, following a chain of 4,000 m peaks on its way to the charming Swiss village of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. Because some sections reach higher altitudes, it isn’t practical to start before mid-July, and hiking too late into September can mean wintry conditions on the passes. The remoteness of certain stretches means you should have general mountain and navigation skills and enough experience to assess weather and trail conditions.
A word of caution: The Walker’s Haute Route is often considered the standard follow-up to the Tour du Mont Blanc, but it is significantly more technical and challenging in nature. If challenging alpine terrain and exposure is intimidating to you, then we recommend you consider one of our other incredible Hut to Hut Hiking tours in the Alps.
Location
Swiss Alps
Airport
Geneva, Switzerland
Season
mid-July to August
Responsible Travel Score
GO Hike the Walker's Haute Route
Self-guided Itineraries
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