Buying through these links will not cost you extra, but I will earn a small commission. For this reason, it’s important to pack light. All our guided Walkers Haute Route treks are led by qualified a UIMLA professional guide. I agree with your SLR tip, how can one not bring a cam to swiss alps 🙂. Walking from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn along the Walker’s Haute Route is on many a bucket list and rightly so. 1 daypack (or 30-liter backpack for Haute Route); 1 pair mid-weight hiking shoes, can be low-cut or mid-ankle (suggested), and should have a sturdy, vibram-like sole; 1 set raingear – tops and bottoms, or poncho; 1 mid-weight fleece sweater or soft-shell jacket; 1-2 pair synthetic hiking pants or shorts. Life just keeps getting in the way. Cross the longest hanging bridge in the world to reach Zermatt, your final destination! Passing through glaciers, green valleys and picturesque villages over 10-14 days, this route promises beauty and variety in abundance. Required fields are marked *. Knowing what to pack for a hiking trip in the Alps is be almost as challenging as the physical preparation. I call this trip “backpacking lite” – other than 1 night in a mountain hut, I slept in hotels and inns every night. Like the famous cycling event of the same name, the Haute Route for walkers consists of spectacular alpine scenery, dramatic peaks and challenging inclines. Your email address will not be published. The highest pass is at 2964 m (9,800 ft). (That’s right! It is possible to skip certain sections by taking a cable car or train if you’re short on time. With great midweek deals, friendly drivers and a handy app, Alps2Alps is your first choice for transfers to the Alps. The Walkers Haute Route easterly sef guided trek takes you over high mountain cols and descends into the traditional Valasian valleys of Zinal, Gruben and the Matterhorn. The Walker's Haute Route is a walking trail through the French and Swiss Alps, for 200km (125 miles) from Chamonix in the West to Zermatt in the East. Watch out for warning signs about falling rocks or narrow paths and never hike alone. With some decent hiking experience behind you and a training plan in place, this trek will be an incredible experience. Which Haute Route trips include stays in mountain huts? Guided tours include all of your food and accommodation and can be costly. Cross two mountain passes among some of the highest peaks in the Alps before descending into Arolla. Here’s a couple of options; There are many different tour guides to choose from when it comes to hiking this route. I’ve got a post for that too! Walker’s Haute Route Packing List-Make sure you don’t forget anything! The highest point reached by the standard route is 2,987m (9,799ft) and the height gain on the route is around 15,200m (49,867ft). The route is approximately 120 miles or 200 km. Spend the day exploring and preparing for your hike. Read a detailed Osprey Sirrus 36 review at Wandering Bajans. To prepare, start early with long hikes, running, climbing and gym time. As you can see, I’m a big fan of Kiehl’s products for my face and body, and I never go on a hiking trip without Aveda Foot Relief lotion.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'campfiresandconcierges_com-box-4','ezslot_1',110,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'campfiresandconcierges_com-box-4','ezslot_2',110,'0','1'])); Most of the inns where I stayed included breakfast and dinner, and I bought my lunches along the way. Carrying a good map is essential on the Walker’s Haute Route. My usual backpacking pack is a 65L, which is much too large for a trip like this. SLR Camera – I don’t usually backpack with my SLR either, but it’s freakin’ Switzerland! The Alps are noted for incredible mountain trekking in a very civilized setting. This is so valuable. To find out what it takes to complete this impressive hike and discover the rewards, here’s what the walker’s haute route in the alps entails. Follow my Instagram Stories for real-time updates! *I ended up with some foot/toe issues on this trip, and no longer wear Merrill Moab shoes. Walker’s Haute Route Cost. A. Your Walker’s Haute Route packing list will need to be tailored to your individual itinerary and needs. They are great for most hikers, but I need a wider toe box. Travel the route from Chamonix to Zermatt to take in one of the best hiking routes in the Alps. Also, it’s worth noting that I did the Haute Route hike in early August and I wore my fleece hat and gloves on the first day of hiking near Chamonix. Some guided tours will carry your luggage for you. SUMMER WALKER'S HAUTE ROUTE TREK Personal Equipment List The Alps are noted for incredible mountain trekking in a very civilized setting. Regularly voted as one of the world’s top walks the journey from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn on the Walker’s Haute Route is filled with breath-taking mountain panoramas, challenging mountain passes and Alpine scenes lifted straight from a … Experience the famous Alps walking routes including the Tour du Mont Blanc, Walkers Haute Route Vanoise National Park and the Gran Paradiso. For a great guide to selecting wide toe box shoes, check out VeraVise WOW Travel! Spring can have excellent weather, but storms also frequent at that time as well. I should note that I did sink laundry at least once on this trip (just using body wash/hand soap – I find those little laundry soap leaves to be pretty worthless) and I went to a laundromat in Grimentz once as well. The Walker’s Haute Route is a roughly 115 mile trail from Chamonix, France to Zermatt Switzerland, and is widely considered one of the best multi-day alpine hikes in the world. But I brought only 1 lens (18-55mm) to keep it as light as possible. Walking from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn brings an endless array of unforgettable sights and vistas. (I purchased snack food in grocery stores, but most inns will also pack you a sack lunch to carry if ordered ahead of time) As a backup, I brought along a few snacks from home: Kind bars, Clif bars, and some Gatorade G2 powder. and various medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin, Pepto-Bismol, etc. From Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, the Alps during the summer offer fantastic adventure activities for outdoor nature lovers! This stage is known as Europaweg, famed for being extremely steep! Skiers and mountaineers follow the Classic route instead which is higher in altitude and crosses several glaciers. The Haute Route is one of the most famous hiking trails in Europe. They’ve really got backpacks down to an art, especially when it comes to extra pockets, and comfort! We’ve broken down the different stages of the route; Chamonix in France is located in the Haute-Savoie region bordering the Massif of Mont Blanc in Italy and the Monte Pass in Switzerland. The Walker's Haute Route is a 200km hiking trail that goes from Chamonix -at the foot of Mont Blanc- to Zermatt, in the Swiss Alps. 10 Essentials for the Walker’s Haute Route: The need-to-know basics. This is going to be a priority next year though! If you’re hiking without a guide or camping you will be carrying your own equipment. I can’t not bring it. While the trail is generally well-marked and easy to follow, there are countless trail junctions, detours, and confusing sections that require some form of navigation. Excellent idea for a post! The Walker’s Haute Route: Alps Summer Hiking, Tips for Choosing an Affordable Ski Holiday in Europe, Best Ski Resorts for Snow Sure Easter Skiing: 2020 Update. Top tip: Travel midweek to make big savings. Someone who is using a luggage transfer service and staying in refuges will have a significantly different kit than someone who is carrying all of their own camping gear and cooking … How much it costs to hike the Walker’s Haute Route is one of the most common questions I’m asked. There was no camping or cooking on this trip, which makes packing considerably easier (and lighter!) Osprey Sirrus 36 Backpack â€“ the one thing I bought for this trip was a new pack. In 2020, I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah!eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'campfiresandconcierges_com-box-1','ezslot_0',104,'0','0']));report this ad, © 2020 Campfires & Concierges All Rights Reserved. My Alpenwild package included lodging and most breakfasts and dinners (called half-board or demi-pension) In total, I spent just over $5000 on this 18-day trip. The high towns and villages, frequent mechanical lifts and well-maintained trails all make the mountains relatively easy of access. Armed with my accounting background and mission to make every hikers self-guided dreams come true, I’ve dug deep into the numbers across all the different accommodation types, food and services availab Hike up though villages and forests to reach your cabin for the night. This is a challenging day that’s well worth the effort for stunning panoramic views. Traversing a whopping 125 miles, the Haute route scales several high-mountain passes to journey from Chamonix to the historic mountain town of Zermatt. My Haute Route hike involved hiking from one cute Alps village to another every day. If you are doing the Haute Route hike without a guide, as I did, then you will want to beef up your usual First Aid kit to ensure you can adequately address any issues that come up on the hiking trail. You'll also find informative videos addressing these topics on our Haute Route Essentials page. Packing for the Walker’s Haute Route is balancing act between ensuring you have everything you need and ensuring you don’t feel like you’re giving a piggyback ride to a small elephant for 100+ miles. When we hiked the Walker’s Haute Route we did not rely on traditional, paper maps that are available for the route. The Haute Route is one of the world’s greatest multi day hiking adventures. After quitting my job to travel in 2017, my first stop was Switzerland. The Walker's Haute Route is a 14 day trek from Chamonix to Zermatt, or in different words from the base of the Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic mountains in the world.. You will find strategically placed accommodation options along the trail. As guides Olivia and I spend a good portion of our time packing for various adventures. I have also created a full packing list for the Haute Route. Few long-distance hikes offer the variety and grandeur of landscape as this route. Telling travel stories through photography inspired me to start a travel blog. Be sure to check out the rest of our Haute Route posts below: Guide to Camping on the Haute Route: The Complete Guide; Walker’s Haute Route Packing List: Be sure you’ve got everything you need! If you are staying in a lot of mountain huts, this is definitely recommended. two weeks hiking through the Alps of Switzerland, View all posts by leigh@campfiresandconcierges.com, Utah Road Trip: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef, Chicago Neighborhoods: Where to Stay in Chicago, Arizona Road Trip! Guided or guided walking holidays in Europe with Mont Blanc you 'll want to refer to our transfer page! Lake, small traditional villages and wooded sections will tell you to bring a cam to Swiss Alps.! Of time 9 La Sage to Barrage de Moiry/Grimentz 6.5 miles / 10 km Classic Route instead is! Options along the way to Zermatt ) want a special holiday in a very cold wind:... 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