Connecting the two capitals of Alpinism, along with the two most famous mountain of the Alps, this legendary route between Mont Banc and the Matterhorn is on the bucket list of every mountaineerer since its creation in 1903. Ski touring, hiking, mountaineering, this itinerary has been adapted to every discipline and level, and now to trail running! Departure from Chamonix, the route goes from valleys to passes, at the foot of the alpine giants! A spectacular journey with altitudes often close to 3000m, through the most beautiful valleys of the Swiss Valais.
You will like
The almost full route from Chamonix to Zermatt!
An alpine itinerary across some famous passes
The proximity of great glaciers along the route
In the land of the "4000m" summits: Matterhorn, Mont Rose, Grand Combin, Dent Blanche, ...
Accomodation with half-board from dinner the first evening to breakfast of the last day;
Roadbook: description and map of the itinerary (1 roadbook per group);
Tourist taxes;
Organisation and booking fees;
Transfer from Champex to Le Châble on Day 2.
The price does not include:
Picnic lunches;
Personal expenses, drinks, touristic visits, etc;
Bus, train transfers and lift tickets (except the transfer on day 2 from Champex to Le Châble);
Cancellation assistance insurance (4.2% of the price of the holiday) ;
Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point.
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
The itinerary day by day
Day 1
Departure from the train station at Montroc-le-Tour, in the Chamonix Valley.
LE TOUR - COL DE BALME - FENÊTRE D’ARPETTE - CHAMPEX
Depart from Le Tour village, climb to the "Col de Balme", leaving France to cross the Swiss border. Balcony trail to reach the alpine pass "Fenêtre d'Arpette" (2665m). Descent to the village of Champex and its lake. Night in gite. Elevation: +1950 m; -1950 m / 24 km
Day 2
LE CHÂBLE - COL DE LA LOUVIE - COL DE PRAFLEURI - GRANDE DIXENCE
Transfer to Le Châble then climb by cable car. The path rises gradually above the "Val de Bagnes" and under the great "Bec des Rosses" before passing the "Col de Louvie". A beautiful day at altitude with lakes and mountain passes, finally reaching the Prafleuri pass and descending to the Grande Dixence dam, the largest gravity dam in the world. Night in hotel. Elevation: +1200 m; -1200 m / 20 km
Day 3
LAC DES DIX - PAS DE CHÈVRES - VAL D’HÉRENS
Climb along the "Lac des Dix" and then at the foot of "Mont Blanc de Cheilon" to reach the famous "Pas de Chèvres" and its ladders. Entering the Val d'Hérens, kingdom of the famous "Queen" cows. Cross the village of Arolla and then descent along the river to Les Haudères, a magnificent village with typical Valais architecture. Possibility to shorten the stage with a bus between Arolla and Les Haudères. Night in gite. Elevation: +850 m; -1550 m / 25 km
Day 4
COL DE TORRENT - MOIRY LAKE - SOREBOIS - ZINAL
After a short transfer to the Villaz hamlet, climb to "Col de Torrent" (2916m) and enter the "Val d'Anniviers". The route passes through alpine pastures, to the sparkling Moiry lake before going up towards the "Col de Sorebois" to reach Zinal village, in the valley. The hike can be extended with a superb balcony path facing the great summits of the surrounding area. Night in hotel. Elevation: +1800 m; -1900 m / 21 km
Day 5
VAL D’ANNIVIERS - MEIDPASS - GRUBEN
Beautiful day on the balcony trail above the Val d'Annivers. After passing the famous Weisshorn hotel, a magnificent building overlooking Saint-Luc at 2300m, climb to the Meidpass, Swiss linguistic border and entrance to the German-speaking part of Valais. Night in hotel. Elevation: +1300 m; -1150 m / 18 km
Day 6
AUGSTBORDPASS - SCHWARZHORN - ST NIKLAUS
Nice climb to the Augstbordpass to reach the Zermatt Valley. Possibility to climb the Schwarzhorn (3200m) before descending towards the village of Saint-Niklaus. Night in hotel. Elevation: +1100 m; -1800 m / 17 km
Day 7
RANDA - EUROPAWEG - ZERMATT
Short train transfer to reach Randa. Climb through the alpine pastures to reach the famous Europaweg, the trails of Europe. Cross the "Charles Kuonen" footbridge, the largest suspended pedestrian footbridge in the world. Continue on the balcony path facing the Matterhorn to finally reach the legendary town of Zermatt. Elevation: +1350 m; -1550 m / 21 km
End of the hike in Zermatt during the afternoon. (optional taxi return to Chamonix, please contact us).
This tour is available in a 6-day version, without Day 1.
The programme has been drawn up according to the latest information available at the time of writing; unforeseen circumstances are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter the programme.
The trip
LEVEL ****
Elevation: +/-1400m approximately per day. Walking/running time: 6 to 8 hours approximately per day. Type of trek: this tour is not technically difficult but the stages are too long for the average hiker.
Snow and névés will be present on the paths until end of june at least. You may walk on long snowy sections that can make the tour a bit more challenging. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are mandatory. Be prepared!
Intented for adults who regularly practice trail running (or trekking at a fast pace) and have an excellent fitness level. You must be capable of easily walking 40km (on flat trails) or running a half-marathon in less than 130 minutes.
In your road book, you will find all the possibilities to shorten stages if necessary by bus or with cablecars. *Note this itinerary is feasible at a good steady pace without running.
ROAD BOOK
One month prior to departure, we will send you your travel documents.
The "paper" version by post:
- 2 IGN TOP 25 maps with route layout.
- 1 road book with all the necessary information for the hike.
- 1 card holder.
- The list of accommodations.
The "digital" version is an application to download on your smartphone, accessible to each of the participants of the file. The information for downloading and using it is sent by e-mail.
ACCOMMODATION
CLASSIC: 4 nights in a gîte or hotel, in a dormitory; 2 nights in a gîte or hotel, in a room (shared bathroom). COMFORT: 6 nights in a gîte or hotel, in a room (shared bathroom).
MEALS
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Picnics are not included and can be ordered the day before in each accommodation. You can buy supplies in small shops (days 3, 4 and 6).
Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking. We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products.
CURRENCY
Plan to have some Swiss Francs for your personal expenses and for the transport along the way (bus, train...).
MAPS
Federal Office of Cartographie: Grand St Bernard 5027 T, Monte Rosa 5028 T.
Practical information
ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT
Departure from Montroc-le-Tour train station.
BY TRAIN
Inbound: Paris-Gare de Lyon - St Gervais La Fayet - Chamonix Mont Blanc - Montroc le Tour
Return: departure from Zermatt at 2.37pm, arrival in Paris Gare de Lyon at 9.42pm. Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or on the SNCF website.
BY CAR Take the A40 motorway to Chamonix, then follow the main road to Argentière and Montroc. Large car park in Le Tour village.
If you wish to leave your vehicle in a covered car park: Chamonix Park auto, 04 50 53 65 71 (€40 to €50 per week).
End of the tour in Zermatt in the afternoon.
Return by train (2 connections) to Martigny, then Montroc-le Tour.
Optional return by taxi (contact us).
In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Under no circumstances, we can replace your personal civil liability.
The repatriation insurance EUROP ASSISTANCE that we offer is dedicated to French speaking people living in Europe. If it is not your case, we advise you to subscribe to another travel insurance which will cover you in case of injury and repatriation during your trek.
If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.
Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.
CONTACT US
If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches (0.40L to 0.50L)
Thermos
Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
Survival blanket
Head torch or hand torch
Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
Identity card or passport
BACKPACK
Pack a comfortable 10-15 litre trail backpack for your belongings for the day (warm clothing, rain gear, water, sun protection and identity papers) and a little room for a picnic and snacks.
LUGGAGE TRANSPORT
You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag, with all your possessions inside, of 10kg maximum per person. Your baggage will be transported daily between accommodation by our logistics vehicle where access is not always easy. Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers, please think of their backs!
7 Days
Self-guided
With baggage transportation
Classic (dormitory)
Level **** 
From 915 €
