Haute Route - Switzerland Guided Hike

You will meet your guide in the morning to start your hike. From Le Chable we take a cable car to Verbier*. The trek today takes you across the Alp du Val de Bagnes where you can appreciate the wonderful mountain scenery. On a clear day we will have views of the Grand Combin and Mont Blanc. We stay overnight in a mountain hut. Distance 11.8km/7.3mi, +660m/2165ft, -620m/2032ft *If weather is inclement you will be transferred by bus to Fionnay then commence hiking to Louvie. (+722m/2369ft) Note: You will need to carry your overnight gear including clothing and toiletries for nights 1 and 2 - your luggage will be transferred to the 3rd nights hut. NB. If joining with our 10 day group commencing in Chamonix, you will be transferred by bus from Le Chable to Fionnay then hike to Cabane de Louvie.

An early morning start as we have a big day trekking across three alpine passes. You may encounter Ibex as they are often seen on the remote mountain passes. Follow a steep descent which leads to the Grand Desert, a moraine-strewn area of dry glacier. We will cross the glacier to reach the Col de Praz Fleuri at 2965m/9727ft. Continue to the refuge Prafleuri where we stay overnight. Distance 11km/6.8mi, +1100m/3609ft, -700m/2296ft

Today we will hike up the banks of the Dixence River and then over the Riedmatten pass. We may get our first glimpse of the Matterhorn. Continue down to the village of Arolla and transfer by bus to Les Hauderes, where we will stay overnight in a Gite and be able to have a well deserved shower! Distance 18.7km/11.6mi, +870m/2854ft, -1550m/5085ft

After a bus transfer to Mayen de Cotters we have a shorter day hiking through flower filled pastures to get to the Torrent pass (2919m/9575ft). We continue through the Moiry Valley and to the Sorrebois pass (2800m/9185ft) and enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding 4000+m peaks of Valais: Dent Blanche (4356m), Zinalrothorn (4221m), Obergabelhorn (4063m) and Weisshorn (4504m). From Barrage Moiry we take another bus to our overnight stay at Saint Jean. Distance 10km/6.2mi, +840m/2756ft, -680m/2231ft

Start the day with a short transfer to Saint-Luc. Today's route then takes us across the Anniviers valley located on the left bank of the Rhone. We leave the valley through the Meidpass (2790m), before descending to the village of Grüben in the Turtmantal, a narrow valley inhabited only in summer and where German is the main language. Our accommodation tonight is a hotel in the village. Distance 11.8km/7.3mi, +720m/2362ft, -1090m/3576ft

Today we will trek via the Augstbord Pass (2894m), enjoying panoramic views of the Oberland and Valais. We will travel through Jurgen and St Nicklaus before arriving into the Zermatt Valley. We will either catch a bus or a train to Zermatt where we will overnight in a hotel. Distance 18km/11.2mi, +1075m/3527ft, -1880m/6168ft Possibility to shorten the descent by cable car (-990m), not included.

Our last hike is along a trail facing the Hornli ridge of the Matterhorn with a superb panorama of the 4000m peak Monte Rosa (4634m). The Matterhorn is steeped in a history of human dramas. The first attempt to reach the summit was made in 1857, with the first successful attempt made by Edward Whymer in 1865. After a few hours hiking we will return to Tasch /Zermatt where our tour will end early afternoon. Distance 6km/3.7mi, +443m/1453ft, -443m/1453ft Note: This morning you have the option to ascend a technically straight forward 4000m peak, Breithorn. This activity will be undertaken with a specialised high mountain guide and an additional cost applies - this includes the crampons and harness. Your guide can organise this according to how many people are interested and the prevailing weather conditions. Please register your interest when booking.