Haute Route Chamonix Zermatt routes... via Verbier or the Grand Combin
double-click to add content
page banner
Haute Route Variants: Chamonix to Zermat via Verbier or the Grand Combin
The Haute Route is synonymous with ski touring. A classic high level
adventure linking the two great alpine centres of Chamonix and
Zermatt.
This great journey traverses glaciers and high passes through
the very heart of the alps, taking in such peaks as the Rosa Blanche
and Pigne d'Arolla. There are constantly changing views of Mont Blanc,
Matterhorn, Grand Combin and Monte Rosa.
This is ski touring at its
best, high in the mountains, from hut to hut, with long climbs and
stunning descents, only once dropping to valley level.
Starting
in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif and ending up in the shadow of
one of the most famous mountains in the Alps, the Matterhorn, it is a
journey that every ski tourer should undertake at least once in their
lives.
There are many variants to the Haute Route, including Grand Lui Variation, Zermatt-Saas Fee, Verbier-Zermatt. We give you here a description of the two most common routes.
Day 1 - Telepherique from Argentière to Grands Montets (3295m).
Descent of the Glacier des Rognons to the Argentière Glacier followed
by a long climb to the Col du Chardonnet (3323m). After a short descent
and long traverse the Fenêtre du Saleina is climbed to reach the
Plateau du Trient, Switzerland, and the beautifully sited Cabane du
Trient (3170m).
Day 2 - A long and superb descent of the Val d'Arpette to Champex is
followed by crossing the large Val des Bagnes by public transport, to
reach Verbier and a short tour to the Cabane de Mont Fort (2457m).
Day 3 - Ascent of Rosablanche (3336m) a very fine viewpoint. Descent to the unusual Cabane de Prafleuri (2931m).
Day 4 - Over the Col des Roux and a long traversing descent above the
Lac des Dix, followed by a gradual climb to the isolated Cabane des Dix
(2928m).
Day 5 - Over the Pigne d'Arolla (3796m) to the Cabane des Vignettes (3160m).
Day 6 - The longest day! Up and down over three cols amid magnificent
mountains and then the huge descent, passing below the Matterhorn to
Zermatt from the Col du Valpelline (3568m).
Return to Chamonix by minibus / train.
Always take a guide to ski off-piste
Grand Combin / Bourg-St-Pierre route
After crossing the Mont Blanc range to Champex a night is usually spent in the village of Bourg St. Pierre.
Day 3 - A long and steady climb to the Cabane de Valsorey (3030m) passing through an interesting gorge at one point.
Day 4 - A steep climb (often made on foot wearing crampons) leads to
the Plateau du Couloir. After the Col de Sonandon (3504m) is a
fantastic run, mainly downhill, with a short climb at the end to reach
the Cabane du Chanrion (2462m).
Day 5 - Either over the Pigne d'Arolla via the Glacier du Brenay and
a junction with the Verbier route, followed by a descent to the Cabane
des Vignettes, or reach the hut via a dull, but easy climb up the
Glacier d'Otemma.
Day 1 - Telepherique from Argentière to Grands Montets (3295m).
Descent of the Glacier des Rognons to the Argentière Glacier followed
by a long climb to the Col du Chardonnet (3323m). After a short descent
and long traverse the Fenêtre du Saleina is climbed to reach the
Plateau du Trient, Switzerland, and the beautifully sited Cabane du
Trient (3170m).
