Self-guided · France · Switzerland
Six days on the
Haute Route,
to the Matterhorn.
A shortened version of the great Chamonix–Zermatt Haute Route — five high Alpine passes, glaciers close on both sides, and a finish under the north face of the Matterhorn.
- Days
- 6
- Distance
- 89 km
- Ascent
- 5,730 m
- Grade
- Moderate to challenging
“An amazing and very memorable experience”Bhagyashree & Akhil · Tour du Mont Blanc
Read the reviewsTrip Essentials
The walk
The classic Haute Route,
the Swiss half,
in six days.
The full Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt is usually walked over ten days or more, and even then people say it isn't enough. This six-day version starts partway along it, at Sion in the Val d'Hérens, and takes on the finest and wildest stretch — the string of high Swiss passes that lead, one after another, into the country the French call the 'Pays des 4000' and towards the most photographed mountain in the world.
You start at the foot of the Grande Dixence dam, one of the largest gravity dams in Europe, then climb pass after pass — Riedmatten, Col Torrent, Col de la Forcletta, Augstbordpass — each one a full day's walk between quiet valley villages, glaciers rarely out of sight. The route finishes with a circuit above Zermatt itself, a long balcony trail with the Matterhorn's north face filling the view the whole way round.
It's a comfort trip: a twin or double hotel room every night, half-board throughout bar the last evening, and luggage transfer available if you'd rather walk with just a daypack. You need a good level of fitness and the confidence to read a 1:50,000 map and hold your own on exposed high passes, but there's no technical climbing involved.
The route, day by day.
A fixed self-guided package: every stage, every night's accommodation and every luggage transfer is arranged before you set off.
- 01
Sion → Grande Dixence dam
5.5 h · +680 m / −650 m · 16 kmBus transfer from Sion up to Thyon 2000, then a balcony trail overlooking the Val d'Hérémence to one of the largest dams in Europe, the Grande Dixence. Night in a hotel at the foot of the dam.
- 02
Riedmatten Pass → Les Haudères
7 h · +900 m / −1000 m · 18 kmFollow the top of the Grande Dixence dam, then climb alongside the Dix Glacier to the Riedmatten pass (2,855 m). Descend to the village of Arolla, then a bus transfer to Les Haudères. Night in a hotel.
- 03
Col Torrent → Zinal
6 h · +1200 m / −700 m · 12 kmClimb through pastures dotted with traditional mayens to the Col Torrent (2,915 m). Descend past the turquoise Moiry dam, then a bus transfer to Zinal. Night in a hotel.
- 04
Col de la Forcletta → Gruben
7.5 h · +1250 m / −1110 m · 17 kmA long climb to the Col de la Forcletta (2,870 m), then down into the tiny alpine hamlet of Gruben, tucked in its own side valley. Night in a hotel.
- 05
Augstbordpass → Zermatt
6 h · +1100 m / −950 m · 13 kmClimb to the Augstbordpass (2,900 m) — good odds of a chamois sighting along the way — then descend to Saint-Niklaus. Cable car and train onward to Zermatt. Night in a hotel.
- 06
Zermatt — balcony circuit under the Matterhorn
5 h · +/− 700 m · 13 kmA circular walk above Zermatt on a superb balcony trail facing the Matterhorn, before descending into the village and finishing at the train station. Trip ends in the afternoon.
Where you'll stay
A good bed at the end of every day.
Five nights in hotels in twin or double rooms, in the valley villages along the route. All comfort-grade, all pre-booked. A version without luggage transfer is available if you'd rather carry your own kit and keep costs down.
Getting there
Nearest arrival point: Sion, reachable by train from Geneva (about 2 hours) or Milan. The trip finishes in Zermatt, a rail hub with onward connections across Switzerland; note that Zermatt itself is car-free.
What's included?
A fixed self-guided package — accommodation, luggage transfer and route notes all taken care of before you arrive.
Five nights in comfort hotels on a half-board basis (bed and breakfast on the final night in Zermatt)
A printed roadbook with route description and maps, one per group
Digital route notes on your phone for every participant
All planning, booking and support before and during the walk
Luggage transfer between accommodations (optional add-on, minimum group size applies)
Not included
- Tourist taxes, which some accommodation may ask you to pay locally
- Picnic lunches
- Bus, train and cable car transfers on the trail (approx. £50–60 per person)
- Dinner in Zermatt on the final night
- Personal expenses, drinks, cancellation insurance
- Guiding — this is a self-guided tour, you are responsible for your own safety
Reviews from walkers
What it's like to travel with us.
Every review here comes from someone who actually travelled with us — we only ask once the trip's over, and we don't edit what they say.
From walkers on our other trails.
Different routes, same team doing the planning, the bookings and the hand-holding — so these say a lot about what to expect here too.
“An amazing and very memorable experience”
We had a really wonderful experience and are very happy that we went ahead with the trek. It was challenging at times, but overall it was an amazing and very memorable experience. The scenery, the trails and the whole journey were absolutely beautiful. Bhagyashree did have some issues with her knee during the trek, which made a few sections difficult. We didn't let that stop us — we completed most of the trek and, wherever necessary, adapted our plans and took a bus or train for certain stretches rather than putting too much strain on her knee. Managing the trek despite the knee issue made the achievement feel even more special.
Thank you once again for all your help and guidance in planning the trek. Will definitely recommend Big Trail Adventures to all.
“Solo or in a group, I would do this again tomorrow!”
One of the best experiences I have had. I did this solo and felt supported all the way with the BigTrailAdventures team, especially in inclement weather. The vistas were incredible and overnight accommodation was faultlessly organised. Pushing myself during the day ( I ran rather than walked the trail), and then being fed and watered in a hotel in the evening was a treat.
The planning was exceptional and all details were covered.
There is a special time every day when you are overcome with the beauty of the nature that you are seeing, the sweeping vistas and the gratitude for being able to experience this. It rejuvenates your soul.
“Awesome support from start to finish”
The hike, which challenged me in different ways each day, was great. There was so much to see in every direction. The Highlands are simply stunning, clouds and all. The stays were good for the most part, some better than others (one night my room was above the kitchen so it was quite noisy until late into the night and the haunted Inn was a bit much for me :)). The Rowardennan Hotel and Craig Nevis guesthouse were my favorites. All of them offered great breakfasts and most had dinner options with good selections as well.
The planning was amazing. No glitches, except for one minor one at the start where the luggage van changed their drop off location without my knowledge. Thankfully Craig was there in the morning and quickly figured out where they were and even dropped off my luggage for me. Everything else was planned and executed perfectly; my itinerary for each day included great detail of what to expect. The app was awesome and my friends and family loved tracking me every day with the GPS. I had read that the West Highland Way is very popular in spring (when I initially had planned to go) and late summer. It took a lot of back and forth communication about potential dates but Craig very patiently worked it all out. All communication was prompt and thorough. I very much appreciate all the support I received prior and during my adventure!! Thank you Craig!
There are so many moments I will carry with me for a long time, like my first glimpse of the Highlands, all the water everywhere, the coos, day 2 along Loch Lomond when I wished I was a mountain goat and was grateful that it did not rain, arriving at Kingshouse after 19 miles, midges (haha), and so much more.
This route. These nights.
One clear price.
You are booking the itinerary above: your walking days, your overnight stays and the support that carries you between them.
Organising this trail for friends? Build a group trip with individual payments
- Free cancellation to 60 days
- Confirmation within 24 hrs
- ABTOT financially protected
We'll start planning your trip right away. Not happy with anything? We'll adjust it or refund you — no questions asked.
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Big Trail Adventures (member 5690). Protection is provided for non-flight packages. Full details in our booking conditions.
Things walkers ask us.
Is it really self-guided? What if something goes wrong?
Yes — you walk without a guide, using a roadbook and 1:50,000 maps. You'll have a contact for the whole trip and support in case of weather changes, injury or a booking issue. Big Trail Adventures is your first point of contact from the moment you enquire.
How fit do I need to be?
Level 3 out of 4. Expect five to seven hours of walking a day with 600 to 1,250 metres of ascent, crossing high passes above 2,800 metres on trails that can hold snow into early July. If you're used to long mountain days already, you'll manage well; regular cardio training beforehand — three to four hours a week — makes a real difference.
Can I book for one person?
Yes, with a single supplement. Tell us on the enquiry form and we'll quote accordingly.
When can I start?
The season runs from late June to mid-September, with daily departures. Give us a few preferred dates on the enquiry form and we'll confirm availability.
Do you handle payments and refunds?
Yes. You book with Big Trail Adventures, pay us, and we handle the rest. Cancellation terms are set out in our booking conditions.
Is the Chamonix–Zermatt tour self-guided?
Yes. This is a self-guided trip: you walk the 89 km route independently, with no guide and no group. Accommodation for all 5 nights is booked for you, route notes and maps are provided, and there is local support in the region if anything goes wrong.
Do I need a guide or can I walk it alone?
No guide is needed. The route is walked on marked paths with the notes and mapping supplied in your pack. You choose your own start date within the season (Late June to mid-September) and walk each day at your own pace.
Who arranges the accommodation?
We do. Five nights in hotels in twin or double rooms, in the valley villages along the route. All comfort-grade, all pre-booked. A version without luggage transfer is available if you'd rather carry your own kit and keep costs down.