Haute Route West Chamonix to Arolla, Private guided
The Western part of the Walker’s High Route trek from Chamonix Mont Blanc to Arolla, with bag transfers for maximum comfort and enjoyment. Configurable to meet your specific requirements.
7 days holiday | 5 days hiking | Bag transfers | Configurable
The Western part of the Classic Walker's Haute Route is a great start for those wishing to tackle the Haute Route, but who may not have the time to complete the full tour in one holiday, or who prefer to break this challenging trek into two smaller parts. It follows the exact route of the classic tour from Chamonix to Arolla.
The Western section includes hiking over the border between France and Switzerland and the remote and rugged section between Verbier and Arolla where two consecutive nights are spent in character full mountain huts in amazing locations.
As a private guided trip it is possible to tailor-make the trip to your preferences.
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Local Swiss specialities served with a view. The food is delicous on the trail between Chamonix and Zermatt! -
We hike through old farming settlements on the Haute Route, here above Les Hauderes near Arolla. -
The views of the Matterhorn above Zermatt after completing the hike from Chamonix to Zermatt. -
We descend the green valley below the Fenetre d'Arpette on our approach to our hotel in Champex-Lac. -
Admiring the views from the trail out of Cabane Montfort on the Haute Route. -
Cabane Montfort provides a spectacular overnight spot on our Haute Route trek. -
Hiking through the rugged glacial terrain on the Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt -
Stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc when leaving Chamonix via the Aiguillettes des Posettes and entering Switzerland. -
On an interesting alpine trail above the Louvie lake on the Haute Route -
Leaving Chamonix and the Mont Blanc massif on our trek across the Swiss Alps towards Zermatt
TRIP ITINERARY:
Day 1: Meeting in Chamonix Mont Blanc, France
Arrive Chamonix and meet with your guide in the afternoon for welcome, equipment check and a day-by-day briefing on your Haute Route trek ahead. At night, you're free to explore the many bars and restaurants in Chamonix at your leisure.
Day 2: Through the Chamonix valley to Trient, Switzerland
We take the local, scenic train to the nearby village Argentière, where the walking begins. We ascent gently on a balcony trail above the Chamonix valley to the ski area of le Tour. Here, the trail gets steeper as we ascent through the ski area to the Balme mountain pass, which forms the border between France and Switzerland. From the Balme pass, it is a pleasant descent into Switzerland and the village Trient, where we spend the night in a bustling auberge
Day 3: From Trient to Champex-Lac
From Trient we have a choice of two routes. If the legs are feeling good, we'll ascend the steep and rocky pass known as the Fenêtre d’Arpette (2665m), which offers amazing views of the Trient Glacier. The slightly gentler option takes us over the shoulder of the Mont Blanc massif to the Bovine high mountain pastures where we enjoy spectacular views up the Rhone valley. Both routes will take us to the Swiss lake-side village Champex-Lac where we stay in a comfortable hotel.
Day 4: From Champex-Lac to the Montfort mountain hut
From Champex we start the day with a gentle, downhill walk, through alpine pastures and idyllic Swiss farming villages. From the village le Chable, we take a cable car up through the famous Verbier ski resort. From the top of the cable car, we have an easy ascend along old irrigation channels to the stunning Mont Fort hut where we watch the sun set behind the mountains before we turn in.
Day 5: From Cabane Montfort to Cabane Prafleuri
From the Mont Fort hut we have a stunning and very wild walk ahead of us, tackling no less than three mountain passes - Col Termin, Col de Louvie and Col de Prafleuri. The walk takes us through very rugged alpine terrain where there is a good chance of spotting ibex. We end the day at the Prafleuri mountain hut.
Day 6: From Cabane Prafleuri to Arolla
From the Prafleuri hut, we quickly ascend to Col des Roux and descend to the enormous Dix lake and dam. A gentle and enjoyable walk along the lake takes us to the main climb of the day. The climb follows the moraine created by the Dix glacier until we cross the snout of the glacier, where the terrain steepens and becomes bouldery as we near our pass. We cross the Riedman pass, or the Pas de Chevre via it's ladders, and commence the descend to the village Arolla.
Day 7: Depart Arolla
After breakast, you check out of your hotel. This is the end of your Haute Route tour.
TRIP DETAILS:
Grade:
Suitable for mountain walkers with a high level of fitness and stamina and an adventurous spirit.
Duration:
7 days holiday with 5 days walking
Accommodation:
3 nights in hotels, 1 night in auberge and 2 nights in mountain huts.
Group size and guides:
No max size but up to 8 clients per certified English-speaking guide (UIMLA).
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Inclusions:
Expert tour planning and organisation by Alpine Treks
5 days guiding by English-speaking certified guide (UIMLA)
6 nights accommodation
Meals (6x breakfast and 5x dinners)
Luggage transfers (not to mountain huts)
ABTOT bonding and passenger protection
Exclusions:
Travel to Chamonix and return from Arolla
Lunches, snacks, drinks and meals not mentioned above
Cable cars/transportation if used