France & Switzerland | Hiker’s Haute Route

Walk the famous "High Level Path" from Chamonix to Zermatt.

"Everything! I loved the daily physical challenge with the reward of incredible scenery and views- most especially because it was with a group that was very supportive and compatible. Our guides were wonderful and made the trip seamless and enjoyable for everyone. I loved that we had such an variety of terrain, sometimes all in one day! The hiking routes and places chosen to overnight were excellent and I liked the variety in them as well. The times that we were transported by vehicle were well thought out as well."- Brenda P.
"This was our 8th trek with RW, so clearly you are doing right by us and the friends we have referred over these past 10 years."- Andrew G.
"This was an awesome trip. The routes were great. Just the right length to challenge us. The hotel selection and meals were all good and at the better hotels they were exceptional."- Matt Posner
"I would say at least a 9, or more, out of 10!"- Mark D.

REQUEST MORE INFO | TRIP ITINERARY & MAP | FAQs

Trip Highlights:

Follow the original mountain route from France to Switzerland.
Snap photos of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
Hike through the Pennine Alps, the highest mountain range in Western Europe.

This self-guided trek links the villages of the Mont Blanc region and the western Swiss Valais, crossing through the highest mountain range in western Europe, the Pennine Alps. You hike through two distinct cultural regions, the French speaking and German speaking Alps. Starting in the bustling alpine center of Chamonix, France beneath the dramatic flanks of Europe’s highest summit, Mont Blanc, and its spectacular Aiguilles, you hike eastward into Switzerland and cross the Valais by a number of high passes that connect several small villages, with their blackened timber houses and slate roofs. Finish in the incomparable Zermatt set beneath the soaring pyramidal flanks of the Matterhorn.

This dramatic and often remote hiking tour sees surprisingly little traffic, and you will enjoy the most spectacular views of the western hemisphere from quiet footpaths between Chamonix and Zermatt.

Learn more about the French, Italian and Swiss Alps-Mont Blanc destination

Trip Itinerary

Choose from our standard itinerary or customize the trek by adding or subtracting days.

Day 1 - Arrival in Chamonix

Independently transfer to Chamonix. Overnight in a grand, old world hotel.

Day 2 - Chamonix to Argentière

Enjoy a gentle introductory hike with spectacular views over the Mont Blanc range. Your hike along the Grand Balcon Sud offers some of the best photo opportunities of Mont Blanc, the Mer de Glace, and the Aiguilles, or rock needles, of the Chamonix Valley. Overnight in a three-star inn in Argentière.

Distance: 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1000/3500 ft.

Day 3 - Argentière to Trient

Hike from Argentière to the village of Trient over the Aiguillette des Posettes, with spectacular views of the Aiguilles of Chamonix, its glaciers, and Mont Blanc. Overnight in a mountain hostel in Trient. Shared bathrooms/showers in hall. Private rooms are subject to availability.

Distance: 9 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 3000/3500 ft.

Day 4 - Trient to Champex

Enjoy awesome views of the Rhone Valley as you find your way through high alpine meadows. Descend through a gorgeous side valley to the lovely little resort village of Champex and your Swiss chalet.

Distance: 10.5 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 3200/2500 ft.

Day 5 - Champex to Arolla

Transfer to Arolla and a comfortable three-star inn. A great half day hike above Arolla to Pas de Chevres provides amazing views glaciers and the Matterhorn on a clear day.

Distance: 8.5 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 3000 ft.

Day 6 - Arolla to Les Haudères

A spectacular hike lies ahead with views of Mont Collon, L’Eveque, the Pigne d’Arolla, and the Aiguilles Rouges. Descend to the little village of Les Haudères, with its blackened timber homes. Overnight in a simple hotel.

Distance: 10 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 3300/3800 ft.

Day 7 - Les Haudères to St. Luc

After ascending through pastures with views back to the Aiguilles Rouges, you cross a high pass. Descend to the head of the Val d’Anniviers and transfer to St. Luc. Overnight in a special country inn filled with antiques and old world charm.

Distance: 10 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 4500/2500 ft.

Day 8 - St. Luc to Gruben

Ascend a beautiful, remote valley to a spectacular pass with views back to the Aiguilles Rouges and the Dent D’Herens, and forward to the peaks above Zermatt: the Matterhorn, OberGabelhorn, Dent Blanche, and Weisshorn. Descend into the Turtmanntal and overnight at its sole hostelry, a simple inn offering refuge to hikers and climbers from around the world.

Distance: 11 miles. Elevation gain: 3000/3200 ft.

Day 9 - Gruben to Zermatt

Another pass lies along a medieval trading route with views of the Mischabel range separating Zermatt from Saas Fee, and the peaks of the Oberland to the southeast. The descent terminates in a tiny village perched high above the Mattertal and accessible only by cable car. Transfer to Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn. Overnight in a superior, first-class country inn with a Gault et Millau rated chef and every amenity you could want.

Distance: 11.5 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 5000/4500 ft.

Day 10 - Depart

BOOK THIS TRIP! Self-guided

Trip Rating

COMFORT

EFFORT

TERRAIN

Trip Ratings Explained

Self-Guided Tour

June 21-Mid September

Pricing
$3,280 per person double
Single (+$700)

Luggage transfers not included in the price for self-guided treks. See Luggage Transfer Details for pricing.

Guided Tour

July 3-14, 2025

Note that this itinerary is 12 days and includes 2 hut nights.

Pricing
**$6,800 per person double
Single (+$700)

**Minimum of two people required to run this tour

Learn More

Private Guided Tour

June 21-Mid September

Standard itinerary is 12 days and includes 2 hut nights.

Pricing
**$8,065 per person double
Single (+$700)

**Price based on a group of four

Please contact us to schedule a private guided tour.

Learn More

Trip Map

Trip Profile

Duration

9 nights/10 days
Hiking up to 11.5 miles
Ascents up to 5000 ft

Tour Package Includes

Arrival and departure directions
Custom route descriptions
GPX tracks for each day hike
Four-color topo maps
Cultural information and more

Accommodations

3 nights first-class hotels
4 nights mountain hotels
1 nights simple inn
1 night mountain hostel with shared bathrooms/showers in hall.

Breakfast + Dinner

Breakfast included daily; dinner included everywhere except Chamonix.

Luggage Transfer

Luggage transfers not included in the self-guided trip price.

Luggage transfers daily are available for an additional cost of $1300 for two people; $900 for one person. There is also a single luggage transfer option from Chamonix to Zermatt for $350 (2 people).

Restrictions: One bag per person no more than 33 lbs/15 kg. Extra baggage will be an additional charge.

Inquire for more details.

Transportation

Taxi transfers on the standard itinerary are included during the tour between Chamonix and Zermatt. Public transportation costs are not included in the trip price. If the itinerary includes public transportation, we provide timetables, schedules, and a link to purchase tickets if available.

Gateways

Geneva, Switzerland

Hike Extensions

*Champex to Arolla: It is possible to add a two-day extension to the tour by transferring from Champex to Verbier for an overnight in a country inn, then hiking through high elevation terrain with some route-finding challenges to an alpine club hut before continuing over a high pass and descending on foot to Arolla.

12-Day Tour Cost
$3,650 per person double
Single (+$680)

**Saas Fee Extension: The tour may be further extended beyond Zermatt with a two-day extension to Saas Fee with one night in a simple inn and one night in a four-star hotel.

Call the office for pricing on this 2-day extension.