The Haute Route, is the name given to a route (with several variations) undertaken
on foot or by ski touring between Chamonix, France and Zermatt, Switzerland.
First charted as a summer mountaineering route by members of the Alpine Club
(UK) in the mid 19th century, the route takes around 12+ days walking (or 7+ days
skiing) running the 180 km from the Chamonix valley, home of Mont Blanc to Zermatt,
home of the Matterhorn.
Since the route was originally walked by members of an English club they dubbed it
the The High Level Route; however, this became translated into French when it was
first successfully undertaken on skis in 1911. Now it is commonly referred to by
English speakers only by the French title for both summer and winter routes.
Technically, haute route has become a generic description for any of the many
multi-day alpine hut-to-hut tours; the correct term is therefore, "Chamonix-Zermatt
Haute Route".
The danger of collapsing glaciers has increased recently and some parts of the
route have become virtually impassable. This is believed to be due to global
warming; however the glaciers have been receding since the end of the Little Ice
Age. A lower level variation exists that crosses no glaciers at all
First successfully completed in 1911, The Haute Route ski tour is likely the most
famous and coveted ski tour in the world. Using high mountain huts to allow skiers
to stay high and cover substantial distances, it winds through the highest, most
dramatic peaks of the Alps from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. It requires good
weather, favourable snow conditions and strong effort to complete this line. Because
of this, only 50% of the skiers who begin the tour complete it.
There are many variations of the HLR (High Level Route) that work their way between
Chamonix and Zermatt, including those listed below. It is also possible to add
ascents of a number of excellent ski peaks to any of the routes.
Many people will also ski the Haute Route in the opposite direction, by variations that
select more optimal ascent and descents.
Grand-Lui variation:
A longer, harder, more technical route that eliminates the road break of the Verbier
and Classic variations.
Day 1: Argentiere village, France, over the Col du Chardonnay and the Fenetre du
Saleina to the Trient hut or down to the Bivouac Dores.
Day 2: Over the Grand-Lui through the Col du Saleina or around it via the Swiss
Three Cols and a long descent to La Fouly.
Day 3: Up the Val Ferret and over to Grand St. Bernard Hospice.
Day 4: Down to Super St. Bernard and over the shoulder of Mont Velan to the Velan
Hut.
Day 5: Up the Grand Combin and over the Plateau du Couloir, down the Glacier du
Mont Durand to the Chanrion hut.
Day 6: A long non-technical climb up the Otemma glacier or a stiffer climb over Les
Portons to the Vignette hut.
Day 7: A long day to Zermatt over the Col de l'Eveque, Col du Mont Brulé and Col de
Valpelline, then a long descent under the shoulder of the Matterhorn and Dent
d'Herens.
Day 8: Optional extension to Saas-Fee over the Adler Pass.
Classic Route:
The winter Haute Route's original line which involves long climbs and
mountaineering with ice axe and crampons.
Day 1: Argentiere village, France, over the Col du Chardonnay and the Fenetre du
Saleina to the Trient hut.
Day 2: Champex-Lac via the Val d'Arpette. Bus or taxi to Bourg-St.Pierre.
Day 3: Long climb up to the Valsorey hut on the shoulder of Grand Combin.
Day 4: Over the Plateau du Couloir and down the Glacier du Mont Durand to the
Chanrion hut.
Day 5: A long climb up the Otemma glacier to the Vignette hut.
Day 6: A long day to Zermatt over the Col de l'Eveque, Col du Mont Brulé and Col de
Valpelline, then a long descent under the shoulder of the Matterhorn and Dent
d'Herens.
Verbier Variation:
The purest skiing line, and the most frequently done.
Day 1: Argentière, France, over the Col du Chardonnay and the Fenetre du Saleina to
the Trient hut.
Day 2: Champex-Lac via the Val d'Arpette. Bus or taxi to Verbier and the Mont Fort hut.
Day 3: Over the Rosablanche to the Prafleuri hut.
Day 4: Around Dixence reservoir and up to the Dix hut.
Day 5: Over the Pigne d'Arolla to the Vignette hut.
Day 6: A long day to Zermatt over the Col de l'Eveque, Col du Mont Brulé and Col de
Valpelline, then a long descent under the shoulder of the Matterhorn and Dent
d'Herens.
Day 7: Optional extension to Saas-Fee over the Adler Pass.
