Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Valais/Wallis·France, Switzerland

Haute Route Chamonix - Zermatt

Duration

9-13 days

Distance

183.6 km

Elevation gain

11540 m

Max altitude

2987 m

The Haute Route Chamonix – Zermatt is one of the most iconic long-distance treks in the Alps. This 183 km alpine trek connects two capitals of high-mountain culture across France and Switzerland, crossing glacial passes, wild alpine meadows, and spectacular valleys.

SummitsGlaciersValleysCliffsRidgesLakesForests

Stages

days

DifficultyModerate

Duration / day6h00

Distance / day16.7 km

Elev. gain / day+991 m

Hardest stage

7Cabane de Moiry

12.3 km · +1,851 m · 6h45

Departure	Arrival	Accommodation on arrival	Duration	Distance	+Elev.	−Elev.
1 Chamonix-Mont-BlancTown	Refuge du Col de BalmeRefuge	RefugeRefuge du Col de Balme	6h30	16.9 km	+1,247 m	−75 m
2 VallorcineVillage	Plan de l'AuRefuge	RefugePlan de l'Au	5h45	17.3 km	+859 m	−1,740 m
3 BovernierVillage	L'EscaleRefuge	RefugeL'Escale RefugeMont-Fort Lodge RefugeLe Giétroz RefugeLe Stop RefugeUna Lodge	5h15	19.9 km	+374 m	−883 m
4 LevronVillage	Cabane Mont FortRefuge	RefugeCabane Mont Fort	6h00	11.3 km	+1,618 m	−0 m
5 SarreyerVillage	Cabane de la BarmazRefuge	RefugeCabane de la Barmaz	5h15	13.7 km	+941 m	−971 m
6 Cabane de la BarmazRefuge	Hôtel EdelweissRefuge	RefugeChez Stéphanie RefugeHôtel des Haudères CampingCamping Molignon RefugeAlpiness Coliving RefugeHôtel Edelweiss	6h30	22.6 km	+624 m	−1,561 m
7 Les HaudèresVillage	Cabane de MoiryRefuge	RefugeCabane de Moiry	6h45	12.3 km	+1,851 m	−510 m
8 Cabane de MoiryRefuge	Gîte de PralongRefuge	RefugeGîte de Pralong RefugeChalet Edelweiss RefugeCuicui	6h15	18.2 km	+947 m	−1,632 m
9 ZinalVillage	WaldesruhRefuge	RefugeWaldesruh RefugeHotel Schwarzhorn	5h00	14.6 km	+785 m	−1,036 m
10 GrubenVillage	HeimatlodgeRefuge	RefugeHeimatlodge RefugeLa Réserve Refugegite	6h15	17.5 km	+1,043 m	−1,800 m
11 GrächenVillage	ZermattTown	RefugeChalet Conthey RefugeAlpenlodge CampingCamping Zermatt RefugeElysian Collection RefugeHotel Carina	5h45	19.3 km	+607 m	−107 m

Elevation profile

Download GPX

How to get there

Public transport

Limited access

The Haute Route Chamonix–Zermatt is easily accessible without a car. The outward journey is typically made by TGV to Geneva and then by bus to Chamonix (approximately 1h15). On the return, a train connects Zermatt to Visp, with onward connections to Geneva or Zurich. Both ends of the trek are very well served by Swiss and French public transport.

By car

Google Maps directions

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Treks in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Valais/Wallis deux semaines treks Treks in France, Switzerland