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Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt

Ski Touring · Zermatt

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Zermatt - Matterhorn

The Cabane des Vignettes hut, with the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn in the background
Photo: Denis Gruber, Zermatt Tourismus

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An absolute ski tour classic. Over 5-6 days, from one mountaineering centre to another.

moderate

Distance 94.3 km

50:00 h

6,700 m

8,345 m

3,776 m

718 m

Chamonix and Zermatt: Two names that make any mountaineer’s heart beat faster. A multi-day ski tour links them both. Every day starts early, often when it’s still dark. There are tough ascents and fantastic descents, requiring both physical and mental stamina. Surrounded by the highest mountains in the Alps, you travel from hut to hut on an incredible route.

The classic among ski tours
From hut to hut
Surrounded by the highest mountains in the Alps

Author’s recommendation

The Haute Route is a long tour during which you spend several days high up in the mountains a long way from civilization. Calm weather conditions, experience in the high mountains and careful preparation are essential.

Author

Zermatt Tourismus

Update: November 02, 2020

Difficulty

moderate

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

3,776 m

Lowest point

718 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cardinal direction

Track types

Asphalt

0.1 km

No marked trail

74.6 km

Road

11 km

Lift/cableway

8.6 km

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Hennu Stall
Blatten
Farmerhaus
Furri
Gitz-Gädi
Stafelalp 2200m
Aroleid Restaurant

Safety information

Always go with a mountain guide on a tour
Stay up-to-date with the weather and avalanche status: Snow Report
More information is available in the Swiss avalanche bulletins (www.slf.ch)
Always maintain visual contact with accompanying persons
Use key sections and extremely steep slopes individually
Never go into a wild game protection zone (these are marked and one will be fined)
Always switch the avalanche transceiver (LVS device) unit to transmission
Always carry a shovel and a probe
Pay close attention to daily atmospheric warming and continually re-evaluate the situation

Tip: “Be searchable”. Equip yourself with an additional RECCO rescue reflector*. Whether summer or winter. Available in our Online-Shop or our information desk.
*The additional reflector does not replace an avalanche beacon.

Tips and hints

Further information & mountain guide agency

Start

Chamonix (1,035 m) (3,251 m)

Coordinates:

45.947868, 6.960479

DMS

45°56'52.3"N 6°57'37.7"E

UTM

32T 341927 5090277

w3w

///gymnastic.wheezing.tardy

Show on Map

Destination

Zermatt (1,620 m)

Turn-by-turn directions

1. Stage
Aiguille des Grands Montets – Glacier d’Argentière – Glacier du Chardonnet – Col du Chardonnet – Fenêtre du Saleinaz – Plateau du Trient – Cabane du Trient

2. Stage
Cabane du Trient – Col des Ecandies – Val d’Arpette – Champex – Verbier (Taxi) – Cabane du Mont Fort (Bergbahn)

3. Stage
Cabane du Mont Fort – Col de la Chaux – Col de Moming – Rosablanche – Cabane de Prafleuri

4. Stage
Cabane de Prafleuri – Col de Roux – La Barma – Lac des Dix – Cabane des Dix

5. Stage
Cabane des Dix – Col de la Serpentine – Pigne d’Arolla – Cabane des Vignettes

6. Stage
Cabane des Vignettes – Col de l’Evèque – Col du Mont Brulé – Col de Valpelline - Zermatt

The details on the tour (distance, duration, altitude and depth) also include the Orsière-Verbier-Mont Fort stretch that is covered by taxi and cable car.

We recommend to book a mountain guide who knows well the place.

Note

all notes on protected areas

Public transport

By train to the Matterhorn village: 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Zermatt.

Zermatt is also the start and finish point for the world-famous Glacier Express panoramic train journey (Zermatt to St. Moritz or Davos).

Getting there

Zermatt is car-free. Private vehicles are permitted only as far as Täsch (5 km before Zermatt). The Täsch–Zermatt road is closed to the public.

Onward travel to Zermatt is either by private taxi or shuttle train. Trains depart every 20 minutes; the journey takes about 12 minutes, and ends at the Bahnhofplatz in Zermatt.

Parking

Täsch has car parks with both covered and open-air parking – e.g. at the Matterhorn Terminal or privately operated facilities.

Onward travel: see “Getting there”.

Coordinates

45.947868, 6.960479

DMS

45°56'52.3"N 6°57'37.7"E

UTM

32T 341927 5090277

w3w

///gymnastic.wheezing.tardy

Show on Map

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendations for this region:

Equipment

We recommend:

Ski touring equipment: touring ski-boots, touring skis with touring bindings, ski poles, skins, crampons
Climbing harness
Backpack, shovel, probe
Avalanche transeiver
Warm weatherproof clothing
Warm gloves and warm hat
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Warm drinks
Snack (high energy foods such as chocolate, dried fruit etc.)
Food (energiereiche Nahrung wie Schokolade, Trockenfrüchte)
Bring everything needed for a multi-day ski tour from hut to hut

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Rating

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Photos from others

Difficulty

moderate

Distance

94.3 km

Duration

50:00 h

Ascent

6,700 m

Descent

8,345 m

Highest point

3,776 m

Lowest point

718 m

Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights High-altitude ski tour Clear area Cableway ascent/descent Insider tip

Morning

Afternoon

Avalanche conditions

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Waypoints

Rest stops

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Features

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Maps and trails

12 Waypoints

12 Waypoints

Distance km

Duration : h

Ascent m

Descent m

Highest point m

Lowest point m

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