Day 1 - Arrive in Chamonix

Our trip begins in the famous mountaineering town of Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. We meet the group at 6pm for a trip briefing  followed by our evening meal.

 

Accommodation: 3* hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

 

Day 2 - Trek from Montroc to Trient

The morning starts with a trip on the famous Mont Blanc Express train to the pretty hamlet of Montroc, at the head of the Chamonix valley. We begin with a climb up through the Larch forests to the stunning Aiguillette des Posettes. The Col des Posettes is our first mountain pass, which has incredible views of the Le Tour glacier and back towards Mont Blanc. While most groups then head for the Col de Balme, we will take a quieter, and more scenic route via Les Tseppes, to the village of Trient. Here we take a short transfer to the town of Le Chable, just below Verbier, for a comfortable hotel.

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 6-7 hrs

Distance: 13.5 km

Altitude gain / loss: +1200m / -1100m

 

Day 3 - From Le Chable to the Cabane de Louvie

Today we'll take the cable car up to Les Ruinettes and embark upon a high level traverse to reach the Col Termin. The next two days will be the most rugged of the trip. The spectacularly located Cabane de Louvie is perched some 750 metres above us, and the challenging trail that leads to it offers an increasingly breathtaking panorama across many of the 4000m peaks in the Alps. Thankfully we can get our breath back with a welcome drink at the top!

 

Accommodation : Mountain refuge, dinner included

No luggage access

Walking: Approx 7-9 hrs

Distance: 18 km

Altitude gain / loss: +1250m / -550m

 

Day 4 - Trek from the Cabane de Louvie to the Cabane de Prafleuri

This is possibly the most dramatic day of the trek, as we traverse two cols from one high mountain hut to the next. First we follow the shoreline of the Lac de Louvie, and might even be lucky enough to catch the reflection of the surrounding mountains on the surface of the lake. The trail then leads us steeply up to join a high path that traverses beneath the cliffs. There are a couple of places along this trail where we need to take extra care, and there is often a chain to hold on to. We now head for the Col de Louvie at 2921m, before descending on to the edge of the Grand Désert glacier. The Col de Prafleuri is our next goal, taking us to a height of 2987m. After a short descent we arrive at the Cabane de Prafleuri (2624m), where we spend another peaceful evening in the mountains. At this altitude we have the best chance of seeing families of grazing ibex.

 

Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included

No luggage access

Walking: Approx 7-9 hours

Distance: 18 km

Altitude gain / loss: +820m / -550m

 

Day 5 - From the Cabane de Prafleuri to La Sage

First we have a short climb to reach the Col de Roux. With views of glaciers and the milky waters of Lac de Dix, this is a beautiful start to the day. We follow the lake to its end, descending gently while enjoying views of the Pigne d'Arolla and Mont Blanc de Cheilon, and perhaps passing a few noisy marmottes on the way. Next we cross the moraine of the Dix glacier, followed by a steep ascent to either the Col de Riedmatten, or the 'Pas de Chèvres' and its new ladders, which were replaced in 2015 making for a much easier crossing than in previous years. The rest of the day is all downhill to the village of Arolla, nestled in its very own forest of Arolla pines. We usually take a well-earned break here before taking a transfer to the delightful hotel in the small farming hamlet of La Sage. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 8-9 hrs

Distance: 22 km

Altitude gain / loss: +1100m / -1360m

 

Day 6 - Trek from La Sage to ZInal

Today also involves crossing two high cols so we start early and ascend to the Col de Torrent at 2912m. We then descend to the turquoise waters of Lac de Moiry and its impressive dam. We can now see some of the giant peaks of the Pennine Alps, including the magnificent and aptly-named Dent Blanche ('white tooth'). The Col de Sorebois is steeper, but also shorter, than the Col de Torrent, so still manageable. From this high vantage point we are rewarded with fabulous vistas across to the Weisshorn, the Dent Blanche and the Zinal Rothorn. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 8-9 hrs

Distance: 24.5 km

Altitude gain / loss: +2000m / -1850m

 

Day 7 - Trek from Zinal to Gruben

With just one col on the itinerary today, we can relax on our gentle ascent this morning, and look out for nutcrackers, which are sometimes found in the surrounding woods. We cross an alpine meadow, then traverse the mountainside on a fantastic balcony trail until we reach the junction of the path for two cols: the Col de la Forcletta (2874m) and the Meidpass (2790m). We usually take the Forcletta pass as it offers great views of the glaciers and peaks of the Turtmann valley, however the decision lies with the guide and depends on the conditions on the day. On the descent we may be able to spot the increasingly rare edelweiss. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 7-8 hrs

Distance: 19 km

Altitude gain / loss: +1315m / -1165m

 

Day 8 - Gruben to Zermatt

The last day of trekking does not disappoint, as we set out through open woodland and soon head into high pastures. Our final col is the Augstbordpass at 2894m. Beyond the pass we descend into a bowl and follow a rocky trail that clings to the mountainside. We stop at the Twära viewpoint for a magnificent view into the Mattertal (although the Matterhorn remains elusive until we reach Zermatt). We then begin our descent to the pretty hamlet of Jungu, followed by a final steep section to the town of St. Niklaus. There is an option to take the 'characterful' cable car down from Jungu to St. Niklaus (not included), which eliminates the final 1000m of descent. From St. Niklaus we take a short train or taxi ride to the iconic town of Zermatt, home to one of the most famous mountains in the world - the Matterhorn. 

 

Accommodation: 3* hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Walking: approx 7 hrs

Distance: 16 km

Altitude gain / loss: +1070m / -1765m

​

 

Day 9 - Depart Zermatt

Our trip finishes after breakfast.