What equipment do I need to bring?

The basics include sturdy hiking boots, a comfortable backpack, weather-appropriate clothing, and a water bottle. For some tours, you might also need specialized equipment like hiking poles, which you can find recommended in the What To Bring section on each of our tours.

How do I get to the starting point of the tour?

Most of our tours begin in locations that are easily accessible via public transportation. Whether in Europe, the Americas, or other regions, the starting points are typically near major airports, train stations, or bus stops. We will provide you with detailed instructions on how to reach the start of your tour using public transport options. If you prefer more convenience, we can arrange private transfers directly from the airport or train station to your starting location for an additional charge.

Is accommodation included in the tours?

Yes, accommodation is included in all of our tours. We carefully select hotels, guesthouses, and mountain huts that offer comfort and a welcoming atmosphere after a day of hiking.

What is the accommodation like on a walking tour?

Typically, you'll stay in comfortable 3-star hotels, guesthouses, or mountain huts in more remote areas. Please note that in the mountain huts, accommodations are often shared, with dormitory-style rooms, though some huts offer private rooms if booked well in advance.

Can I upgrade the accommodations?

Yes, accommodation upgrades are generally possible for most hotels or B&Bs. In the case of mountain huts, there are usually no other options nearby. However, you can book a private room instead of a dormitory if you are early enough. Please note that upgrading accommodations will affect the final tour price.

What is the tourist tax?

Tourist tax is a small fee charged by some destinations, ranging from €0.50 to €2.50 per night. It is commonly included in your final accommodation bill. However, in some cases, it may need to be paid in cash on-site.

What is luggage transfer?

Luggage transfer means your baggage is transported from one accommodation to another throughout the tour. It comes convenient on most of our tours except the location-based ones, as it lessens the burden on your back during the hike and allows you to bring additional luggage. Please note that luggage transfer is not possible on all treks.

Will my luggage be transported?

Luggage transfer is not possible in every location, especially on high-altitude treks. Therefore, we don't include it by default. However, you can optionally add it to your booking on the tours where it's doable. Please note that adding the luggage transfer affects the final price of the hiking tour.

What is the luggage allowance?

Each transfer allows only one bag per person, which must be soft. The maximum weight permitted is 15 kg. Additionally, bags must not contain food, beverages, medicines, valuables, money, or official documents.

What does a typical day look like on a walking tour?

Every day on a hiking tour begins in the same way: with breakfast. Then, it differs between the tour types. On hut-to-hut or inn-to-inn hikes, you must leave the accommodation early enough to reach your next lodging within the check-in window. On center-based hikes, you can leave and return anytime (barring any additional instructions from the accommodation). You can even opt out of hiking and stay in. On travel & hike tours , you might initially have to drive or take public transportation to the hike's starting point before moving on to your next accommodation. After hiking, you can spend the rest of the day as you please.

What if the weather changes unexpectedly during my hike?

Weather can be unpredictable, especially in mountainous areas. We closely monitor conditions and will inform you if changes are necessary. As long as you dress accordingly, you can do most of our hikes in light rain. In case of severe weather and storms, we’ll advise you on alternative routes, suggest less strenuous hikes, or offer public transport options.

What happens if I need help on the trail?

Our support is available to solve minor issues. Additionally, your digital guidebook will include a contact for the local emergency services in the case of a severe crisis.

Can you accommodate my food restrictions?

Buffet breakfasts in hotels or guesthouses offer enough variety to accommodate vegetarians and vegans. Mountain hut meals are more limited but usually include at least one vegan option. For strict dietary restrictions, you should consider bringing your own food. If you have particular dietary expectations, you must inform us in advance.

Can I extend my trip?

Absolutely! You can extend your holiday by adding extra lodgings to your booking before, during, or after the tour. We will book the additional nights of accommodation and provide recommendations to make the most of your extended stay.

Are meals included in the price?

Aside from some exceptions in remote places, your booking encompasses half-board accommodation in mountain huts and accommodation with breakfast in hotels, guesthouses, or B&Bs. We provide lunch and dinner recommendations for the latter, allowing you to experience the local cuisine according to your taste instead of eating at the hotel.

Will I have cell reception in the mountains?

It varies, but as a rule of thumb, you should expect poor mobile reception on our high-altitude hikes. Nonetheless, our travel material and GPS-navigation app can be used offline, ensuring you are fully prepared for any situation.

Of course. We even curated a selection of hiking tours most suitable for solo travelers .

Are these tours kid-friendly?

It depends on their age and experience, but we also picked several tours suitable for families with children of all ages and levels of experience.

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Walker’s Haute Route Self Guided

14 days / 13 nights

Set out on the Walker’s Haute Route self-guided and hike this iconic trek from Chamonix to Zermatt amongst the highest peaks of the Alps.

Starting point

Chamonix

Finish point

Zermatt

Season

From June to October

Technical level

4/5

Fitness level

5/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Set out on the Walker’s Haute Route self-guided and hike this iconic trek from Chamonix to Zermatt amongst the highest peaks of the Alps.

Choose your style

Self-guided from 2.995 €/person

Cancel in the first 48h for free

Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit

Samo Travel Expert

Book a call

Set out on the Walker’s Haute Route self-guided and hike this iconic trek from Chamonix to Zermatt amongst the highest peaks of the Alps.

Starting point

Chamonix

Finish point

Zermatt

Season

From June to October

Technical level

4/5

Fitness level

5/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Highlights

Admire the views of both Mont Blanc and Matterhorn — the two most iconic peaks in the Alps
Hike the Walker’s Haute Route self-guided and let us handle the logistics
Trek through the most picturesque landscapes of Switzerland and France
Complete the full route on this 14-day itinerary
Sleep in mountain huts with incredible views

Itinerary of the trip

The first day starts strong. Your goal is just a little higher up in the Chamonix Valley, but to get there, take the trail to the iconic Lac Blanc. After taking in postcard views of the Mont Blanc massif, descend the TMB ladders, where the day ends in Montroc or Le Tour. If you’d like to start the Haute Route easier or you want to get in some hiking on the day of arrival, you can also take the direct way to your accommodation, following the gently ascending trail along the valley.

Hiking

17 km and 1350 m of elevation gain / 1160 m of elevation loss

Gallery

The last day in France will be relatively undemanding. Following the ridge of Aiguillette des Possettes, it takes you to Col de Balme, the border of Switzerland. When you leave France, you also leave the most up-close views of the Mont Blanc massif behind (though they return later), descending down into the green pastures of the Swiss village Trient.

Hiking

16.5 km and 1150 m of elevation gain / 1100 m of elevation loss

Gallery

A challenging path awaits you on the third day. You’ll ascend over the Fenetre d’Arpette, with spectacular views of the Glacier du Trient. The tricky rocky descent soon turns into a pleasant walk into the green valley, where Champex-Lac, the welcoming town beside a lake, awaits. In the case of bad weather, the easier Bovine route (part of the Tour du Mont Blanc) is preferable.

Hiking

15 km and 1350 m of elevation gain / 1190 m of elevation loss

Gallery

As the only day on the trail without huge mountains, you’ll explore more of the Swiss countryside. You will follow the side of the picturesque Val Ferret and into Sembrancher of Val de Bagnes, where you hike along the river towards Le Châble. Even without any big mountains in sight, this day is still interesting as it shows you ordinary Switzerland, not often advertised.

Hiking

15.5 km and 220 m of elevation gain / 840 m of elevation loss

Gallery

Start early and get ready for a big climb on this day. The steep footpaths will take you above the tree line, on the slopes of the world-renowned Verbier ski resort. Traversing them, you will soon start to notice another great Alpine massif — the Grand Combin — before reaching the Cabane du Mont Fort hut, where you end the day.

Hiking

13 km and 1650 m of elevation gain / 15 m of elevation loss

Gallery

The sixth day presents itself a stage full of contrasts — first the panoramic green ridges with a good chance of seeing an ibex, and then the moonlike plateau. From the panoramic trail over Col Termin (optional over Col de Louvie), you’ll soon reach the dying Grand Désert Glacier. The route takes you just below it, on the barren land of scree and stones. After passing many small lakes, you cross over Col de Prafleuri (2987 m), the highest point on the Haute Route. From there, you’ll soon reach the hut of Cabane de Prafleuri.

Hiking

15 km and 890 m of elevation gain / 690 m of elevation loss

Gallery

This stage will keep you high up in the mountains, with some of the best views on the Haute Route. Lac de Dix will surprise you just over the morning Col. After traversing alongside this 5 km long accumulation lake, you’ll cross over the morain of Glacier de Cheilon, admiring the pyramid-shaped Mont Blanc de Cheilon on your right. You have two passes you can choose before descending down to Arolla. One has ladders and the other will give you a slight glimpse of Matterhorn.

Hiking

18 km and 700 m of elevation gain / 1330 m of elevation loss

Gallery

This stage is easier, and doesn’t feature any high mountains, but still very scenic. It takes you down the valley from Arolla, past typical Swiss villages, towards Les Hauderes. In between, you can also do a detour to the small but fairytale-like Lac Bleu. The day ends at the small village of La Sage.

Hiking

9 km and 150 m of elevation gain / 720 m of elevation loss

Gallery

You’ll climb your way up from the valley towards the ridge above Val d’Hérens, crossing it at its lowest point in Col du Tsate. After a descent to the small Lac Châteaupré, the way up along the Moiry Glacier begins. As the landscape becomes rockier and you start to get a closer look at the glacier, switchbacks will bring you to one of the best-situated huts on the route. The Cabane du Moiry has a great atmosphere and is for many people a destination on its own.

Hiking

12 km and 1825 m of elevation gain / 500 m of elevation loss

Gallery

After a breakfast admiring the view through the panoramic glass windows of the hut’s dining room, head back down yesterday’s path to Lac de Moiry. The ascent then leads towards Col de Sorebois, a great outlook over Val d’Anniviers and iconic peaks like Weisshorn (4505 m). The descent to Zinal is steep and long, but can be shortened about halfway by a cable car.

Hiking

16 km and 530 m of elevation gain / 1640 m of elevation loss

Gallery

This is the first day when you will cross into the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The ascending trail leads high above the Zinal Valley with great views of its head every time you look behind. The shortest route to the valley of Turtmanntal on the other side is across Forcletta pass.

If you have more time, you can extend the Haute Route with a night stay at the iconic Victorian Hotel Weisshorn, and hike across Meidpass the next day. See the description of the extra day right below.

Hiking

17 km and 1200 m of elevation gain / 1040 m of elevation loss

Gallery

If you decided to stay the night at Hotel Weisshorn, you've made the right choice. The hotel interior is like from an old story, while the views are incredible. After the morning breakfast, you will make your way up alpine meadows to Meidpass. There, a gorgeous view will open up with the 4505 m tall Weisshorn dominating it. Descend down both rocky and green alpine landscape, pass some Swiss hamlets, enter the forest, and finally end up in the village of Gruben, richer for an extra day of beauty.

Hiking

11 km and 600 elevation gain

Gallery

This is another day full of contrasts, crossing the last mountain pass on the Walker’s Haute Route. From the green forests above Gruden, across the rocky landscape of Augstbordpass, you’ll be walking on a historical trading route. After coming around the corner, the epic views of Mattertal valley will vow you. Although no sight of Matterhorn yet, you’ll see Dom (4545 m), the highest peak only in Swiss territory). Past the lovely hamlet of Jungen, descend into the valley into St. Niklaus.

Hiking

18 km and 1100 m of elevation gain / 1780 m of elevation loss

Gallery

The last two-day stretch on the Walker’s Haute features one of the best hikes in the alp, the Europaweg. Redesigned in 2021, because of a landslide, its first part now takes you from Gasenried to Herbriggen at a lower altitude. But we suggest you skip this part, taking the valley route from St. Niklaus to Herbriggen. Otherwise, this stage is needlessly long without any extra great views. From Herbriggen, a long but grand ascent to the Europahutte begins. With epic views at every stop, including panoramas with Weisshorn, you’ll cross bridges and soon arrive at the hut.

Hiking

11.5 km and 1220 m of elevation gain / 75 m of elevation loss

Gallery

Every grand route should have a grand ending, and this one is exactly that. You’ll be traversing up high above the valley, crossing the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the Alps. Later, the imposing view of the sharp Matterhorn at the end of the valley will come into view. You'll traverse all the way to Sunegga, where you descend down into Zermatt — the end of the Walker’s Haute Route.

Hiking

22 km and 750 m of elevation gain / 1400 m of elevation loss

Gallery

FREE ITINERARY

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

8 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast

5 nights in (mountain) huts with half-board

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour design and organization

Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Luggage transfer

Private room (if available)

Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 45-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings
Down jacket
Gloves
Shade hat/cap

Warm headwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Sleeping liner
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Small first aid kit

The Walker’s Haute Route is probably one of the most epic hikes in the Alps. From Chamonix to Zermatt, from Mont Blanc to Matterhorn – it connects the two most important mountaineering centers in Europe and two of its most iconic mountains. You can confidently say that you’ve been to this part of the world after you experience all the diverse scenery on this long-distance route.

The Walker’s Haute Route is a challenging trek, tougher than some of its counterparts (like Tour du Mont Blanc). This makes it more rewarding, with fewer crowds on its trails. It starts in France, overlapping with the TMB, and soon enters Switzerland, where it stays until the end.

It has 14 stages that a reasonably fit hiker can complete in 14 days of about 5-7 hours of hiking, with optional detours that can extend it for an extra day (Hotel Weisshorn). Crossing many mountain passes that never quite reach 3000 m of elevation, the Haute Route trek is challenging without even considering the planning aspect.

We can help this once-in-a-lifetime adventure be as hassle-free as possible.

We take your wishes and preferences to best advise you on your perfect Walker’s Haute Route itinerary. We book all of your accommodations and other services, so you can focus on the journey. And a few weeks before setting off, we’ll send you the detailed itinerary booklet with the planned GPS route. All that’s left for you is to get to Chamonix and start walking! But if you are short on time, you can also choose to hike just half of the Walker’s Haute Route – the West or the East.

Frequently Asked Questions

Of course. We aim to make your decision as easy as possible. Therefore, we crafted several selections targeted at particular groups of hikers – Best for Beginners, Best for Advanced Hikers, Mountain Hikes, Pilgrimages, Classic Treks, etc.

If you remain unsure and overwhelmed, you can fill out this form or book a call with us, and we can help you directly.

The sooner, the better! Booking in advance ensures you secure a spot, especially on popular routes where accommodations in remote areas can fill up quickly. For tours like the Tour du Mont Blanc and Alta Via, it's best to book several months ahead, as these areas have limited availability in mountain huts.

However, for some of our less-traveled tours, it's possible to book just a few weeks in advance, though availability and comfort may be more limited, particularly in remote areas with fewer options. To ensure you have the best experience, we always recommend booking early, especially during peak hiking seasons.

Our tours offer flexible starting days, allowing you to begin whenever suits you. However, for some of our most popular routes, like the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) and Alta Via, we have selected departure days due to high demand and pre-booked accommodations. Be sure to check the specific requirements for these tours.

We offer a variety of tours suitable for different fitness levels and technical abilities. Some of them require no prior hiking experience.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, we have the perfect route for you. You can find more information in our Hiking Difficulty Guide, and we also have dedicated sections for Best for Beginners and Best for Advanced Hikers to help you choose the suitable tour.

The fitness level is based on a scale determined by our hiking experts. It varies depending on the tour and defines the selected hiking tour's physical requirements in comparison to others. For a detailed overview, please refer to our Hiking Difficulty Guide.

The technical demands of each hike differ. The technical-level scale defines the technical requirements of each tour in comparison to others, ranging from basic walking to scrambling or using specialized equipment. For a more in-depth explanation of the five levels, please refer to our Hiking Difficulty Guide.

Most of our tours are self-guided, meaning you have the freedom to explore at your own pace without being tied to a group schedule. We provide detailed digital guidebooks that include maps, route notes, and GPS files to ensure a smooth experience.

You can learn more about the concept by reading Self-Guided Tours Explained. We include a guide only for the most challenging treks, like the Triglav Summit Climb.

We provide a comprehensive digital guidebook with maps, route notes, accommodation details, and emergency contacts. Our support will be available during the tour. However, you'll have all the information you need to enjoy your hike independently.

Check out how self-guided tours work in more detail and an example of our digital guidebook here.

Choose your style

Self-guided from 2.995 €/person

Cancel in the first 48h for free

Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit

Samo Travel Expert

Book a call

Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

+59

Carly Leonard

Verified customer

My friend and I went with Triglav Tours for a 3 day, 2 night hike this summer and had the most amazing time!! Our guide, Bine, was awesome and had lots of cool facts to share about the area we were hiking. Additionally, my friend and I had not completed such a technical hike before and the guide and other guests were very patient with us and encouraging, ensuring we felt safe the entire time. The overnights were also such a fun way to get to know Bine, the other guests, and other hikers as well. Cannot recommend Triglav tours enough!!!

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Michael White

Verified customer

I arranged a six-day/five-night trip with Hut to Hut Slovenia. It's the first time I've gone with a tour organizer and I can say it went really well. In the past I've arranged huts myself and it is a huge hassle figuring out how to make the bookings, if the bookings actually exist, and what good/viable routes might be. Having this all sort was, at least to me, totally worth it. The routing is via Ride with GPS, which was great. I'd recommend bringing 1:25,000 scale paper maps as a backup, just in case. The huts themselves differ wildly. Some are really rustic with, ahem, interesting toilet facilities. One was accessible by road and thus had showers, a long menu, and even espresso. All will have some sort of food, but you might only have two options for dinner (one with meat, one vegetarian). The cuisine in the Slovenian huts leans strongly to stews and goulashes with minimal fresh vegetables and/or fruit. Certainly good and hearty but pretty much everyone I talked to said the food was better in the Italian and Austrian huts. Some huts are cash only, some take cards (but the card reader might be down). A 1.5 litre bottle of water is about 6 euro, so if you have a beer with dinner and also buy lunch you need to carry about 25-30 euro per day in cash (assuming you have a booking that includes breakfast). Of the six days of hiking, four were ridiculously spectacular, with the highlight being sunrise from Mt Stol. Getting up to the high mountains, though, can be crazy steep, with switchbacks only sparsely used. Descents are similarly tough, and you have to watch every step. For the first time ever I used trekking poles and my knees thank me. Two days were a bit of a slog, but this is probably unavoidable getting up to or down from the high terrain. Would I do something like this again? Yes, absolutely! But next time it will probably be the Dolomites.

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Roman Klymenko

Verified customer

Very beautiful hike. I did not expect that Slovenia is so amazing.

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Birgit Kindler

Verified customer

We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)

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Dominik Schrotter

Verified customer

We had a great day with Klemen on this hike, he showed us some lesser known spots/highlights of the southern part of the julian alps with a nice viewpoint at the end. 10/10 would book again

Gisela Irion

Verified customer

Tina and her team gave me perfect support on my hut hike through the Triglav National Park in July. In particular, they had to cater to my specific needs twice, which they did for me with no problem. I once had to cancel at short notice before the start of the trip because my father was not feeling well, but then we found a solution and I was able to start the hike. Tina and team first canceled the huts immediately and then reserved them again for me. Even when my condition caused a little tour change again, I immediately had suggestions and these were immediately available in the Trip plans app. I liked this app very much because it was easy to handle and the huttohut-team gave a short overview how the daily tour will be and which highlights – mostly beautiful views – I will see“

Carly Leonard

Verified customer

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Roman Klymenko

Verified customer

Very beautiful hike. I did not expect that Slovenia is so amazing.

Show all 3 photos

Dominik Schrotter

Verified customer

We had a great day with Klemen on this hike, he showed us some lesser known spots/highlights of the southern part of the julian alps with a nice viewpoint at the end. 10/10 would book again

Michael White

Verified customer

Show all 10 photos

Birgit Kindler

Verified customer

Show all 3 photos

Gisela Irion

Verified customer

All available guidance options

Self-guided

Those who like a good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday...

HANDPICKED ADVENTURES

Only the best adventures across the world, cherry-picked by our team with an in-depth knowledge of the regions.

VALUE YOUR TIME

With everything on your plate, let us handle the vacation planning, so your valuable time stays exactly where you need it.

SELF-GUIDED TRAVEL

Explore independently and with confidence while we keep everything running from behind the scenes.

TRUSTED BY MANY

Since 2014, we have taken care of thousands of happy customers, making it our mission to put your satisfaction first.

OUTDOOR SPECIALISTS

We are a team of outdoor specialists equipped with the knowledge and insight to bring you the best hiking experiences.

from 2.995 € /person

Walker’s Haute Route Self Guided

Choose your style

Highlights

Itinerary of the trip

Day 1: Chamonix – Argentiere

Day 2: Argentiere – Trient

Day 3: Trient – Champex

Day 4: Champex – Le Châble

Day 5: Le Châble – Cabane du Mont Fort

Day 6: Cabane du Mont Fort – Cabane de Prafleuri

Day 7: Cabane de Prafleuri – Arolla

Day 8: Arolla – La Sage

Day 9: La Sage – Cabane de Moiry

Day 10: Cabane de Moiry – Zinal

Day 11: Zinal – Gruben

Day 12: EXTRA DAY: Hotel Weisshorn - Gruben

Day 13: Gruben – St Niklaus

Day 14: St Niklaus – Europahutte

Day 15: Europahutte – Zermatt

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

What to bring to the tour

Frequently Asked Questions

You have too many options. Is there any way I can narrow down the selection?

How far in advance should I book my walking tour?

Do I need to book specific start dates?

Do I need prior hiking experience?

What is the fitness level?

What is the technical level?

Are your tours guided?

I booked a self-guided tour. How does it work?

Choose your style

Ratings & Reviews

Carly Leonard

Michael White

Roman Klymenko

Birgit Kindler

Dominik Schrotter

Gisela Irion

Carly Leonard

Roman Klymenko

Dominik Schrotter

Michael White

Birgit Kindler

Gisela Irion

Similar Products

All available guidance options

Self-guided

HANDPICKED ADVENTURES

VALUE YOUR TIME

SELF-GUIDED TRAVEL

TRUSTED BY MANY

OUTDOOR SPECIALISTS

Have questions? Talk to us.

Itinerary of the trip

Day 1: Chamonix – Argentiere

Day 2: Argentiere – Trient

Day 3: Trient – Champex

Day 4: Champex – Le Châble

Day 5: Le Châble – Cabane du Mont Fort

Day 6: Cabane du Mont Fort – Cabane de Prafleuri

Day 7: Cabane de Prafleuri – Arolla

Day 8: Arolla – La Sage

Day 9: La Sage – Cabane de Moiry

Day 10: Cabane de Moiry – Zinal

Day 11: Zinal – Gruben

Day 12: EXTRA DAY: Hotel Weisshorn - Gruben

Day 13: Gruben – St Niklaus

Day 14: St Niklaus – Europahutte

Day 15: Europahutte – Zermatt

Ratings & Reviews

Carly Leonard

Michael White

Roman Klymenko

Birgit Kindler

Dominik Schrotter

Gisela Irion

Carly Leonard

Roman Klymenko

Dominik Schrotter