The Walkers Haute Route guided holiday links Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn over two wonderful weeks of trekking. Traditionally a high level route that was undertaken on ski, the walkers version of the route links the valleys via high passes. It never crosses glaciers, avoids the summits and any technical terrain so that it is accessible to any fit walker. The scenery rivals that found anywhere in the world, with stunning glaciers, Alpine meadows, 4000m peaks and charming Swiss villages. We break the route down into two separate chunks of one week each as we have found that this gives flexibility with peoples holidays. You can choose to do one week one year and the other half the following year or you can do both weeks consecutively.
Who is the Walkers Haute Route trek suitable for?
This guided alpine trek is suitable for any keen hillwalker who would like to enjoy a week of trekking in some of the most beautiful scenery the Alps have to offer. This is a linear journey overnighting in guest houses, hotels and mountain refuges and takes us through Alpine meadows, underneath 4000m peaks and samples the very best that Switzerland has to offer the walker. The walk is non-technical and so is suitable for anyone fit enough for 5 days consecutive trekking.
General Information
Location: Switzerland
Price: £675 per person per week plus expenses
Ratio: 1:4
Length: 5 days
When: 28th August to 1st September 2023
Accommodation: Guest houses and Mountain hut
Difficulty: Tough but not technical – 15km per day with 1500m ascents.
The Programme
Day 1 – Barrage Moiry to Zinal
Day 2 – Zinal to Gruben
Day 3 – Gruben to St Niklaus
Day 4 – St Niklaus to Zermatt
Day 5 – A walk from Zermatt to take in the views of the Matterhorn with the option of climbing a 3000m peak for those that want to.
We meet the evening before day 1 in Grimentz were we can set up our week, answer any final questions and do any last minute shopping. Grimentz has a good range of accommodation.
Why join us on these treks?
Our trips are run at very small group sizes and very low ratios. Whilst many companies work with one leader to every eight clients we prefer the added safety, the lower impact and the overall sense of fun in having 4 clients to each leader. I work with my good friend Rob Johnson on these trips. Between us we have many years of practical experience in the Alps, we hold the International Mountain Leader qualifications and both work training the next generation of leaders.
Getting there
You can get to Geneva from London for as little as £70 on the train. Alternatively you can fly or drive out from the UK.
From Geneva you catch a train and but to Grimentz. As one would expect in Switzerland the whole journey is efficient and simple. Visit this website for timetable and prices: http://www.sbb.ch/en/
At the end of the trek it is equally simple to return to Geneva from Zermat.
What is included in the course cost?
The course fee includes leadership and logisitical organisation. You will need to pay for your own flights and transfers. We will arrange the trekking accommodation prior to the trip and you will need to pay for it, together with your food and other expenses on a daily basis. Hut fees and hotels are generally about 120 Swiss Francs per person per night. You will need to arrange your accommodation for the nights prior to the trek and the final night. This gives people the flexibility to tag on days before and after the trek and to allows you to find accommodation that suits your own tastes and budget.
Typical total expenditure in 2022 was about £1400 per person including the course fee, accommodation, food & drink, transfers and insurance.
We run all the Alpine trekking trips with Rob Johnson at Expedition Guides, so when you come on any of our trips it will be Sandy and Rob who will be your guides. Rob deals with all the bookings the below link will take you to his booking page.