Trekking Chamonix to Zermatt: The Classic Walker's Haute Route

by Kev Reynolds

Overview

A guide to the classic Chamonix to Zermatt trek, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, in the northern slopes of the Pennines Alps, described in 14 stages. In two weeks of mountain travel you will see the greatest collection of 4000 metre peaks in the Alps and visit some of the most spectacular valleys. You will discover delightful villages and remote hamlets, wander flower meadows and forests, skirt exquisite tarns that turn mountains on their heads, and clamber beside glaciers. The way intrudes on lonely stone-filled corries, with marmots along the boulders and ibex on the heights, and provides a surprise around every corner. The route crosses 11 passes, gains more than 12,000 metres in height and is a strong contender for the title of Most Beautiful Walk in Europe. This new edition has been thoroughly updated, and now includes the exciting two-day Europaweg - a true high-level path that carries the Haute Route way above the Mattertal and into Zermatt - a worthy conclusion to a great trek.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786311382
Publisher:	Cicerone Press Limited
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Edition description:	Seventh edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	4.50(w) x 6.75(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Kev Reynolds was a freelance writer, photojournalist, and lecturer. A prolific compiler of guidebooks, his first title for Cicerone Press (Walks & Climbs in the Pyrenees) appeared in 1978; he later produced many more titles for the same publisher. Sadly, Kev passed away in 2021. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him and by many more he inspired through his writing and talks.

Table of Contents

Mountain safety 7

Map key 11

Route summary table 12

Preface 15

Introduction 17

The Walker's Haute Route 18

Getting there and back again 26

Accommodation 26

When to go 29

Notes for walkers 30

Not enough time? 31

Equipment 32

Languages 33

Paths and waymarks 34

Safety in the mountains 36

Wildlife and plants 39

Maps 41

Recommended apps 43

Using this guide 44

Chamonix to Zermatt 47

Stage 1 Chamonix-Argentière 48

Stage 2 Argentière - Col de Balme - Trient 56

Stage 3 Trient- Fenêtre d'Arpette - Champex 69

Stage 3A Trient - Col de la Forclaz - Alp Bovine - Champex 77

Stage 4 Champex - Sembrancher - Le Châble 83

Stage 5 Le Châble - Clambin - Cabane du Mont Fort 92

Stage 5A Le Châble (Les Ruinettes) - Col Termin - Cabane de Louvie 101

Stage 6 Cabane du Mont Fort - Col Termin - Col de Louvie - Col de Prafleuri - Cabane de Prafleuri 104

Stage 7 Cabane de Prafleuri - Col des Roux - Pas de Chèvres-Arolla 116

Stage 8 Arolla-Lac Bleu - Les Haudères - La Sage 130

Stage 9 La Sage-Col du Tsaté - Cabane de Moiry 139

Stage 9A La Sage-Col de Torrent - Barrage de Moiry/Grimentz 147

Stage 10 Cabane de Moiry - Col de Sorebois-Zinal 155

Stage 10A Barrage de Moiry - Col de Sorebois - Zinal 161

Stage 11 Zinal - Forcletta - Gruben 166

Stage 11A Zinal - Hôtel Weisshom/Cabane Bella Tola 174

Stage 11B Hôtel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola - Meidpass - Gruben 181

Stage 12 Gruben - Augstbordpass - St Niklaus 189

Stage 12A St Niklaus - Grächen/Gasenried 204

Stage 13 St Niklaus - Europa Hut 208

Stage 13B Grachen - Euvopa Hut 214

Stage 14 Europa Hut - Täschalp - Zermatt 218

Stage 13A/14A St Niklaus-Täsch - Zermatt 228

Appendix A Walks from Zermatt 238

Appendix B Climbing from Zermatt 240

Appendix C Useful contacts 242

Appendix D Bibliography 244

Appendix E Glossary 248