A guidebook to the classic Chamonix to Zermatt trek, 180 km from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, in the northern slopes of the Pennine Alps, described in 14 stages. Also known as the Walker's Haute Route, in 2 weeks of mountain travel you will see the greatest collection of 4,000 metre peaks in the Alps and visit some of the most spectacular valleys. 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. 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 explores lonely stone-filled corries, with marmots along the boulders and ibex on the heights, and provides a surprise around every corner. This new edition 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. Cicerone Guides: Chamonix to Zermatt also includes essential practical information on travel to and from Chamonix and Zermatt, as well as information on accommodation in alpine villages and mountain refuges, trekking safety, itinerary planning and how to best plan and prepare for this challenging but rewarding trek.
Introduction
The Walker’s Haute Route
Getting There and Back Again
Accommodation
When to Go
Notes for Walkers
Equipment
Languages
Paths and Waymarks
Safety in the Mountains
Wildlife and Plants
Recommended Maps
Using this Guide
The Route
Stage 1 Chamonix – Argentière
Stage 2 Argentière – Col de Balme – Trient
Alt Stage 2 Argentière – Col de Balme – Les Grands – Col de la Forclaz
Stage 3 Trient – Fenêtre d’Arpette – Champex
Alt Stage 3 Trient – Col de la Forclaz – Alp Bovine – Champex
Stage 4 Champex – Sembrancher – Le Châble
Stage 5 Le Châble – Clambin – Cabane du Mont Fort
Stage 6 Cabane du Mont Fort – Col Termin – Col de Louvie – Col de Prafleuri – Cabane de Prafleuri
Alt Stage 6 Cabane du Mont Fort – Col de la Chaux – Col de Louvie – Col de Prafleuri – Cabane de Prafleuri
Stage 7 Cabane de Prafleuri – Col des Roux – Col de Riedmatten – Arolla
Alt Stage 7 Cabane de Prafleuri – Col des Roux – Cabane des Dix – Arolla
Stage 8 Arolla – Lac Bleu – Les Haudères – La Sage
Stage 9 La Sage – Col du Tsaté – Cabane de Moiry
Alt Stage 9 La Sage – Col de Torrent – Barrage de Moiry/Grimentz
Stage 10 Cabane de Moiry – Col de Sorebois – Zinal
Alt Stage 10 Barrage de Moiry – Col de Sorebois – Zinal
Stage 11 Zinal – Forcletta – Gruben
Alt Stage 11 Zinal – Hotel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola
Alt Stage 11a Hotel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola – Meidpass – Gruben
Stage 12 Gruben – Augstbordpass – St Niklaus
Stage 12a St Niklaus – Gasenried
Alt Stage 13 St Niklaus – Täsch – Zermatt
Stage 13 Gasenried – Europa Hut
Stage 14 Europa Hut – Täschalp – Zermatt
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Walks from Zermatt
Appendix C Climbing from Zermatt
Appendix D Useful contacts
Appendix E Bibliography
Appendix F Glossary
Kev Reynolds is a freelance writer, photojournalist and lecturer. A prolific compiler of guidebooks, his first title for Cicerone Press appeared in 1978. A member of the Outdoor Writers-Guild, the Alpine Club and Austrian Alpine Club, his passion for mountains and the countryside remains undiminished after a lifetime's activity, and he regularly travels throughout Britain to share that enthusiasm through his lectures.