The Haute Route - Chamonix is where the adventure begins
🏃 Experience Level: 4 🏃 Experience Level: 4 ⌛ Trip length: 8 days 📍 Location:Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland 📍 Location: Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland |
📅 16 - 23 August 2025
💁🏼♂️ £2495 / €2950 / $3195 per person 💰 Book now pay later |
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The Haute Route is a classic itinerary, starting in Chamonix and finishing in Zermatt, which is usually hiked in the summer and ski-toured in the winter. We are offering you the chance to run this world famous route! This itinerary covers approximately 175km, split over 6 days of running and is designed for very experienced mountain runners. Check out our Experience Levels here for more information. The trip is led by a fully qualified International Mountain Leader, who has hiked, run and ski-toured the route previously. It boasts incredible views, from the Mont Blanc massif to the Matterhorn, following trails in both France and Switzerland.
Itinerary
- Day one: Welcome to Chamonix! Arrive at your hotel, put your feet up, or wander through the historic, vibrant mountain town of Chamonix. On the first evening you’ll meet with your fellow runners and guides for the week. Our team will brief everyone on the routes, weather conditions and requirements for the following days, and answer any questions.
- Day two: Leaving from Le Tour ski area, we will head up via the first col of the trip, the Col de Balme. Traversing to the Refuge des Glaciers, we descend a few hundred metres before another big climb below the Trient glacier to the Fenetre d’Arpette. This is followed by the final descent down the beautiful Arpette valley to Champex, where you can rest your feet in the crystal clear lake after a long first day. Estimated time on the trails 8-10hrs, 27km, +2110m, -1780m. Breakfast and Dinner Included.
- Day three: We start the day with a cruisy 10km downhill to Sembrancher before traversing the valley to La Chable. Here we can grab a coffee and snacks before a big 1700m climb in the forest up to the amazing Cabane Mont Fort via Verbier, where we watch the sunset over the Mont Blanc massif. Estimated time on the trails 7-9hrs, 29km, +1820m, -885m. Breakfast and Dinner Included.
- Day four: Today takes the crown for being the most technical of the trip. Straight out of the refuge, the trail gets rocky, with the first 3 cols sitting at around 3000m. This section is known as the Grand Dessert, it’s a barren, rocky landscape that was once covered by a glacier. The route finding is challenging, but you just have to focus on placing your feet and enjoying the views! We take a quick stop in the Cabane Prafleuri before running alongside the turquoise blue Lac Dix, up and over the famous Pas de Chevre ladders, before making the descent into Arolla, from where the classic pine tree takes its name. Estimated time on the trails 7-9hrs. 32km , +1470m, -1810m. Breakfast and Dinner Included.
- Day five: Leaving Arolla, we take the low valley trails, descending initially before climbing towards the Col de Torrent. From here, we are greeted with more stunning lake views, this time of Lac Moiry. We can also see the second and final climb of the day, the Col de Sorebois. Following this is a 700m descent to the cable car, or if you're feeling strong we can go a further 800m down to Zinal! Estimated time on the trails 7-9hrs 33km, +2020m, -2350m. Breakfast and Dinner Included.
- Day six: Another two col day, and climbing straight out of the hotel, the landscape feels wilder the further you get from Chamonix and the Col de la Forcletta is no exception. After a quick stop at the col, we descend into Gruben and the first German-speaking valley along the Haute route. There is a chance to practice your language skills at the refuge with a coffee and strudel stop before the second climb takes us back up to nearly 3000m, to the Augstbordpass and the last col of the Haute Route. From here, the wild and rugged trail leads down to the cable car at Jungen, or if you prefer we can run the steep switchbacks down to the valley floor and not take advantage of the mechanised transport! Runner's choice. Estimated time on the trails 9-10hrs 36km, +2360m, -2880m, 8-10hrs. Breakfast and Dinner Included.
- Day seven: Last day! Departing St Nikalaus to head up towards the Europaweg trail and traverse all along via the the Charles Kuonen suspension bridge. If the weather is kind, glimpses of the Matterhorn should appear as we approach Zermatt. Time to stand and stare and to reminisce about the most spectacular scenery you have just run through on your journey. Arriving into Zermatt with the Matterhorn towering over you is an amazing feeling, especially after leaving Chamonix only 6 days prior! Estimated time on the trails 9-10hrs 25km, +1360m, -1680m. Breakfast and Dinner Included.
- Day eight: Depart Zermatt at your leisure.
What is included
- Welcome reception & introductory briefing
- 6 days guided trail running, from Chamonix to Zermatt, with a qualified International Mountain Leader
- Tips on running techniques and nutrition in the mountains
- One night accommodation in Chamonix, followed by six nights accommodation during the run, including the final night in Zermatt. Accommodation is on a twin share basis, apart from the Cabane Mont Fort, which is in a shared dormitory
- Breakfast & dinner on all running days, plus breakfast in Zermatt
- Your luggage transferred to Zermatt for the final night
- New friends & amazing memories
What is not included
- Flights & transfers to/from Chamonix and Zermatt
- Snacks and lunch during your running days
- Drinks with meals
- Single room supplements (please note mountain refuge single supplements are not available)
- Personal insurance (required)
Travel & LogisticsArrival: Saturday afternoon arrival in Chamonix. Meet & greet will be in the hotel lobby bar at 7pm
Departure: The following Saturday morning, from Zermatt The closest airport to Chamonix is Geneva, Switzerland. Flights are frequent and can be booked out of several UK airports with airlines that include, EasyJet, British Airways and Swiss Air. Transfers from Geneva to Chamonix take just over one hour. For your convenience, we’ve teamed up with Chamonix Valley Transfers to offer you a well-priced and seamless service from Geneva to Chamonix. For rates and availability, click here. You will also need to arrange your own transfer back from Zermatt to your desired airport. Trains are frequent and details can be sent to you. |
Kit Lists & PackingIf you’re scratching your head and wondering what kit you’ll need to bring, please download our Haute Route Kit List below.
Feel free to get in touch if you need any advice or have any questions. |
What our fellow runners say about us
"Laugh out loud trail running in some of the most spectacular mountains in the world,
with like-minded people. I came away with memories to last a lifetime!
Highly recommended!"
Ali Wyllie
with like-minded people. I came away with memories to last a lifetime!
Highly recommended!"
Ali Wyllie