Chamonix is a picturesque town tucked away in the French Alps. Mont Blanc dominates the skyline, creating one of the most unique landscapes in Europe. Explore the hiking trails, stroll through the streets of Chamonix, journey higher into the mountains by train and cable car, and view the waterfalls of ice that pour down from […]
The Walker’s Haute Route is a 14-stage trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. It is a tough yet rewarding experience through the French and Swiss Alps that crosses 10 mountain passes and offers incredible scenery along the way. It is a beast of a trek! It took us 13 days, averaging 16 km (10 […]
Along the Walker’s Haute Route, there are a variety of accommodation types, from mountain huts to 5-star hotels, from dormitories to apartments, and from shared bathrooms to private bathrooms. You will have the opportunity to experience a combination of all of these since you will be staying in a new place at the end of […]
The Walker’s Haute Route is one of the most rewarding and memorable multi-day walks in Europe. On this journey, hikers will cross 10 of the highest mountain passes in the Alps, while walking from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. It’s an extraordinary journey but not without its challenges. With 14 stages, multiple variations to the […]
The Walker’s Haute Route is a multi-day trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. On this walk, hikers will cross 10 mountain passes, walk through small towns and through rugged, remote landscapes, and get to experience a less touristy side of the Swiss Alps. There are several routes that take hikers from Chamonix to Zermatt. […]
From bridges, caves, hamlets, and impressive views of the finish line, the final stage of the Walker’s Haute Route has it all. Every step brings you closer to the end goal of Zermatt, a beautiful town that’s renowned for its skiing and hiking. Enjoy the views along the way, as they only get better the […]
As you enter one of the final stages of the Walker’s Haute Route, you will most likely be sore, a bit fatigued, and growing tired of massive mountain ascents and descents. Plus, the anticipation of seeing Zermatt and the Matterhorn grows. The good news is that Stage 13 of the Haute Route features the final […]
Today’s stage marks the beginning of the end of the Walker’s Haute Route. With only three stages to go, things once again ramp up in both alpine views and physical challenge in terms of the trail. Opening up to Mattertal valley and passing through a large hamlet, Stage 12 has little shortage in excellent views. […]
Stage 11 of the Walker’s Haute Route is another challenging mountain climb and descent. Yet, it is a great and rewarding hike with beautiful views over the Turtmanntal valley, the glacier-capped mountains of Weisshorn and Bishorn to the south, and the Rhone Valley and Bernese Alps to the north. This is one of the most […]
Having completed a segment of Stage 10 on yesterday’s hike, we found ourselves with another short day today. However, that did not make it easy. Today’s hike finds you crossing over another mountain pass as you hike from Lac de Moiry to Zinal. As is the same for other days of the Walker’s Haute Route, […]
Stage 9 of the Walker’s Haute Route starts in Les Haudères or La Sage and from these two villages, it is a challenging hike up to Col du Tsaté. From Col du Tsaté, it is an easier and scenic downhill walk to Lac de Moiry. There are beautiful views as you look out over high […]
Stage 8 is both the easiest and shortest of the 14 stages that make up the Walker’s Haute Route and it is a great chance to catch your breath and rest your legs before heading into the final stretches of the Haute Route. Beginning in Arolla, you will hike up and over hillsides, passing through […]
Stage 7 is one of our favorite stages of the Walker’s Haute Route. This is a beautiful walk from start to finish. Today’s trail covers a wide variety of landscapes, from glacier-covered mountains, a lovely milky-blue lake, forested hills, and wide open grasslands. In terms of difficulty, today’s stage is relatively easy. You will have […]
On very tired legs we started Stage 6 of the Walker’s Haute Route. Today’s hike is a quintessential day on the Haute Route. In about 7 hours, you will cross several cols, hike past glacial lakes, and enjoy views of spectacular alpine scenery. In fact, Stage 6 is the most scenic day yet. This is […]
Stage 3 of the Walker’s Haute Route is the most challenging stage yet, but also one of the most rewarding. A massive, steep climb takes you up to the top of a mountain pass, Fenêtre d’Arpette, and along the way, you will have fantastic views of the Trient Glacier. It is a hard hike, and […]
After an easy, somewhat unexciting walk from Chamonix to Argentière, the hike gets to be a lot more interesting on this stage. It also gets a lot more challenging. Stage 2 of the Walker’s Haute Route is the first time you really get to test out your legs and enjoy the alpine views for which […]
Stage 1 of the Walker’s Haute Route is the shortest, easiest day of the entire trek. It’s a mostly flat walk between Chamonix and Argentière and for most of this stage, you are either walking through town or through an evergreen forest. If you spent any time in Chamonix or Argentière prior to starting this […]
Europe is one of our favorite places to go hiking. There’s no better way to explore the dramatic and varied landscapes here, from the snow-capped Alps to coastal trails to the remote, volcanic interior of Iceland. In this guide we list 20 of the best hikes in Europe, 20 amazing ways to explore this beautiful […]