Haute Route Summer
Some info...
High-alpine hike from flowering alpine meadows up to the highest alpine glaciers. The original high alpine route from Chamonix (France) to Zermatt with a detour to Italy into Valpelline.
In winter we are often on this route with skis. This summer variant is certainly at least as attractive and connects the two famous alpine metropolises with a high alpine hike. During the day there is plenty of time to marvel at and immerse yourself in this iconic glacier landscape, surrounded by numerous 4000-metre peaks. At night you sleep in remote mountain huts and enjoy the simplicity of a reduced lifestyle. Fully engaged with the rhythm of hiking, spaces open up for you to slow down and take a deep breath.
We start this tour in the valley of Chamonix and reach Zermatt after one week. The views and landscapes change daily, from the orange-red Chamonix granite to the shady, icy north face of the Matterhorn. On one day we take a taxi to shorten the stage. Now in summer a refreshing swim in the Schwarzsee below the Matterhorn is pleasant to finish before we descend again to the bustling Zermatt. Another tip: arrive relaxed by train and bus!
BERIE Plus points
- the original historical route
- from Chamonix to Zermatt
- 3-country tour (France-Italy-Switzerland)
- mighty glaciers
- marvel at many 4000m summits
- Introduction to walking with crampons
- reduced but comfortable hut life
- Mont Blanc and Matterhorn
- sustainable - accessible by bus and train
The facts
4 - 6 participants
You are an experienced hiker, have some experience with crampons or have already visited a BERIE beginner tour. Short, steep passages in the firn, ice and scree do not disturb you. You should have a well trained endurance to be able to walk more than 6 hours and more per day. Your guide adapts the walking speed to the great height. (180 - max.300 hm/hour). On exposed passages you will always be supported and well secured by your BERIE-Guide.
7 days guided high alpine hike with certified mountain and ski guide UIAGM/IFMGA
5 x accommodation + half board/lunch sandwich/touring tea / in the CAF/SAC huts in the MBA/camp
1 x night + half board in a simple hotel Lac du Mauvoisin
Taxi transfer Champex - Lac du Mauvoison
1st day: We meet in the morning (10:30 am) at the train station in Martigny (Valais). With the legendary train of the Montblanc Express we will travel through the Vallée du Trient up to Chamonix. We get off at Montroc near Argentière and take the chairlift to Charamillon (2194 m) and from there to the Refuge Albert 1er (2702 m). Dinner, overnight stay in the CAF hut.
Day 2: Glacier hike via the Glacier du Tour to the Col du Tour on the mighty glacier field of the Plateau du Trient. Orange-red granite, typical of the Mont Blanc region, gives the mountain peaks up here their characteristic colour. The needles of the Aiguilles Dorées and the Aiguille du Chardonnet and Argentière are particularly impressive. Descent via the Glacier du Tour to the beautiful Cabane du Trient (3170 m).
Day 3: Cabane du Trient- Descent via an impressive high-altitude trail at La Breya. Comfortably we take the chairlift from the Grands Plans (2197 m) to Champex (1497 m) and by taxi through the Val de Bagnes to the inn at Lac Mauvoisin for lunch. In the afternoon we hike along the reservoir and after 3 h we reach the Cabane de Chanrion. The hut has been modernly renovated, is airy and spacious and offers a lot of space with great views.
Day 4: Chanrion-Vignettes: over the mighty Glacier d'Otemma to the Col de Chermotane (3053 m) and on to the Cabane des Vignettes (3160m). The Cabane des Vignettes towers over Arolla like an eagle's nest. Now we are in the "heart of the artichoke" of the legendary Haute Route. Jean-Michel, the hut warden, is famous for his crispy Rösti.
Day 5: Cabane des Vignettes - Cabane de Bertol (3311 m): the mighty Mont Collon and the border mountains to Valpelline in Italy dominate this almost most beautiful part of the Haute Route. Ascent to Col Eveque via the Glacier du Mont Collon to Col de Eveque (3379 m). Over the Glacier d'Arolla to the Plan de Bertol and steeply up, the last stretch over a glacier field and iron ladders that finally lead to the Bertol hut. Dreamlike sunset in real, powerful high-mountain nature.
Day 6: Cabane de Bertol - Schönbiel Hut: via the Glacier du Mont Miné to the summit of Tete Blanche. Over the Col de la Tete Blanche (3589 m) to the wild Stockjig glacier / Stockji to the Schönbiel hut (2694m). We comfortably stretch our feet in the green grass in front of the hut. A great day and a great tour on one of the most powerful glaciers in the Alps. This was the last day with crampons on our shoes, tomorrow we will let it end comfortably.
7th day: Descent to Zermatt with swimming possibility: Hike to Furi station and with the gondola lift to Zermatt. In warm weather we hike up to the Schwarzsee and take a refreshing swim in the small lake below the Matterhorn. From the Schwarzsee station, drive to Furi, lunch together and take the cable car to Zermatt. Farewell and individual journey home from Zermatt railway station.
You will receive more details directly from us during a personal consultation!
