Watch out for warning signs about falling rocks or narrow paths and never hike alone. I had no idea the huts were just mats like that, good to know. This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. Very few hotels along the way provided shampoo or conditioner, so I was glad to have those. I’m a bit of a princess when it comes to toiletries, and this is easily where I could cut some weight if needed. 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). (That’s right! We’re not going to lie to you – this route is tough. Walk through Swiss farming villages to reach Le Châble. The Haute Route was established almost a hundred years ago as a high mountaineering route that linked together two of Europe’s premier mountaineering centers, Chamonix and Zermatt. The route traverses below the summits of 10 out of the 12 of the highest peaks in the Alps, and crosses several high passes. (I did pay $250 for non-hiking gear to be shuttled from Chamonix to Zermatt). After a week on the Haute Route, you'll enjoy a rest, but you won't want to miss a chance at some of the best dayhikes Zermatt has to offer including walks to quaint villages like Zmutt and Findeln, or panoramic hikes along the Hohenbalmen overlooking the north face of the Matterhorn. Following on from our previous blog, hiking the Mont Blanc Trail, we’re continuing our summer hiking series with another challenging, multi-day hike in the Alps. In winter, most of the route is covered in snow and would be too dangerous to trek. Top tip: Travel midweek to make big savings. Start here and adjust your plan as needed. I have no idea if they wash those comforters or not…I’m guessing they don’t get washed daily! We just do day trip hikes, so this post will help us get in gear for what is next! I’ve got a post for that too! They’ve really got backpacks down to an art, especially when it comes to extra pockets, and comfort! Follow my Instagram Stories for real-time updates! Some guided tours will carry your luggage for you. You will find strategically placed accommodation options along the trail. 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. All our guided Walkers Haute Route treks are led by qualified a UIMLA professional guide. I only had 1 night in a mountain hut so I couldn’t justify carrying something to be used for only one night. Don’t underestimate the weather possibilities! Walking poles are recommended as the WHR is tough on the knees. I have lived in Chicago, Seattle, Tucson and a few smaller Midwest towns. Knowing what to pack for a hiking trip in the Alps is be almost as challenging as the physical preparation. Telling travel stories through photography inspired me to start a travel blog. This includes warm and waterproof gear, hats and gloves, a sleeping sheet and lots of other useful bits and bobs. This trek is ideal for those wanting to trek independently and experience the route in a shorter space of time. For a great guide to selecting wide toe box shoes, check out VeraVise WOW Travel! It is possible to skip certain sections by taking a cable car or train if you’re short on time. I loved this pack, and will probably only buy Osprey packs from now on! Walker’s Haute Route Packing List-Make sure you don’t forget anything! Walker’s Haute Route Cost. Packing List for Hiking the Haute Route Recommended Clothing. Walking from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn brings an endless array of unforgettable sights and vistas. But I brought only 1 lens (18-55mm) to keep it as light as possible. For this reason, it’s important to pack light. 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 … It’s possible to complete the Haute Route on a budget. How to Do a Short Version of the Walker’s Haute Route. Walking from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn along the Walker’s Haute Route is on many a bucket list and rightly so. Carrying a good map is essential on the Walker’s Haute Route. This route is correctly called the Walkers's Haute Route or the Summer Haute Route - it does not involve skis (obviously) and it avoids serious glaciers. 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. With some decent hiking experience behind you and a training plan in place, this trek will be an incredible experience. Skiers and mountaineers follow the Classic route instead which is higher in altitude and crosses several glaciers. Your email address will not be published. If you’re hiking without a guide or camping you will be carrying your own equipment. (For my wilderness packing list, click here) While daily luggage transport is available for this trip, it is very expensive, so I carried everything I needed on my back. Need to know what to pack for day hikes? 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! 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. The highest pass is at 2964 m (9,800 ft). It is located in a place where France, Switzerland and Italy meet: the Alps. 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. My Haute Route hike involved hiking from one cute Alps village to another every day. Osprey Sirrus 36 Backpack â€“ the one thing I bought for this trip was a new pack. Spend the day exploring and preparing for your hike. This stage is a more relaxing part of the trek as it passes the wonderful blue lake, small traditional villages and wooded sections. How Much it Cost Us to Hike the Haute Route-Make it work for your budget! 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. SLR Camera – I don’t usually backpack with my SLR either, but it’s freakin’ Switzerland! Travel the route from Chamonix to Zermatt to take in one of the best hiking routes in the Alps. First Aid Kit*- basic necessities such as band-aids, gauze (which I used!) Notify me of follow-up comments by email. It was a tough hike to get there, so the “ick factor” didn’t cause me to lose any sleep! 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. Start your summer hiking trip right with a hassle free transfer to Chamonix. Our pre-departure information pack (and the supplied guidebook) have detailed advice and a kit list on what to take on the Walker’s Haute Route. For this reason, it’s important to pack light. After quitting my job to travel in 2017, my first stop was Switzerland. Required fields are marked *. 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.. In addition the extensive net- 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. Ski Festivals 2020: What’s Happening in the Alps? Follow a high mountain path for excellent views of the Matterhorn. Hello, I’m Leigh! *I ended up with some foot/toe issues on this trip, and no longer wear Merrill Moab shoes. I agree with your SLR tip, how can one not bring a cam to swiss alps 🙂. This is a challenging day that’s well worth the effort for stunning panoramic views. Easter Skiing Deals: The Alps2Alps Easter Price Melt, Alps2Alps Wins Feefo Trusted Service Awards: Platinum, That first sight of the impressive Matterhorn coming into view, The closest airport to Chamonix is Geneva International Airport. 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. Trek the Walker’s Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. Passing through glaciers, green valleys and picturesque villages over 10-14 days, this route promises beauty and variety in abundance. Think about how many miles and hours you can comfortably walk in a day and start planning from there. 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. After quitting my job to travel in 2017, my first stop was Switzerland. My travel obsession goes way back to childhood, when I traveled the Midwest with my dad, selling Kirby vacuum cleaners door-to-door. This stage is known as Europaweg, famed for being extremely steep! I love Swiss alps, but not yet fit enough to hike those, but one surely I’ll do 🙂 I love these useful things which one must bring in their backpack. Your Walker’s Haute Route packing list will need to be tailored to your individual itinerary and needs. I have also created a full packing list for the Haute Route. I spent two weeks hiking through the Alps of Switzerland this year, on a trail called the Walker’s Haute Route. Read a detailed Osprey Sirrus 36 review at Wandering Bajans. Getting to Chamonix, the starting point for the hike is simple. 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The high towns and villages, frequent mechanical lifts and well-maintained trails all make the mountains relatively easy of access. This is so valuable. But at the end of the day, it’s nice to smell good and not feel like you’re abandoning your usual beauty routine just because you’re on the trail. Like the famous cycling event of the same name, the Haute Route for walkers consists of spectacular alpine scenery, dramatic peaks and challenging inclines. By using a good equipment list we are able to pack and plan efficiently, leaving more time for skiing. Who we recommend it for: This trail is for everybody (with some caveats)! Chamonix to Zermatt – The Walker’s Haute Route TREK OVERVIEW This exciting route, connecting two world-renowned mountaineering centres, takes the walker through the most spectacular scenery the Alps has to offer, passing numerous 4000m peaks but … Follow. Buying through these links will not cost you extra, but I will earn a small commission. Here’s an explanation of the different types of accommodation available; We recommend booking your accommodation in advance as the best places can get booked up during busy periods. The Cabane de Moiry has an unmissable view of the Moiry icefall. If you are planning an Haute Route hike or something similar, like the Tour du Mont Blanc, this packing list will get you started!eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'campfiresandconcierges_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',108,'0','0'])); The Cicerone guide was invaluable throughout the hike and was all that I needed for navigation. Trekkers typically take 14 days to complete the trek, give or take a day or two. Hike up though villages and forests to reach your cabin for the night. On most Haute Route trips, we stay in mountain huts for two consecutive nights, at Louvie and Prafleuri. 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