The
glacier Haute Route route between the
two historic mountain centres of Chamonix
and Zermatt stretches for 114 miles
and there is between 13,000m to 14,000m
of ascent and descent taking you through
some of the most famous landscapes in
the Alps, including passing the North Face of the Matterhorn.
During
the summer months, this glacier trek
can be undertaken, led by qualified
IFMGA mountain guides, staying in several
high mountain huts, such as the stunningly
located Bertol hut. We also offer this
during the winter months, where it is
undertaken on skis! This summer version
is all on foot.
Throughout
the week you are surrounded by stunning
4000m peaks, and this glacier trek provides
a challenge that many people repeat
several times during their lives. It
will appeal to those wishing to escape
the hustle and business of the Alpine
valley towns and lift accessed climbing
routes.
This
course is ideal for those seeking a
challenging glacier trek, with the opportunity
to use some mountaineering techniques,
such as an ascent on crampons or an
abseil. All roped techniques will be
taught during the week, so don't worry
if you are a ropework virgin!
Dates:
these
are listed in the column on the right,
and they show the live availability
from our secure online booking system.
When you book online, you receive immediate
confirmation, your Alpine Information
Booklet, course specific kit list and
invoice.
Summary
of course
As
this glacier trek is continuous, it is quite
physically demanding and requires a good level
of fitness. Good stamina will make the route
easier and more enjoyable as it involves six
days of glacier trekking at altitude with
a pack, though note the pack should be 35
litres maximum.
The
accommodation in the mountain huts is half-board
throughout, with plentiful three course cooked
evening meals and breakfasts each morning.
This level of comfort is important, as you
will need a good cooked meal after the efforts
of each day, and by staying half-board you
avoid having to carry stoves or pans.
Support
and assistance from the Icicle Alpine hosts
is included throughout the week for logistics,
equipment fitting, and briefings. They will
store any luggage that you do not want to
take on the route, and meet you after the
tour to return it for your travel home.
The
trek involves 6 days of guiding on a 1:6 ratio,
and is a 8 day holiday in total. Some opt
to extend their trip by a day in order to
climb a 4000m peak such as Mont Blanc du Tacul
above Chamonix, or a more technical route
such as Cosmiques Arete. Either of these options
are day routes, with a 1:2 guiding ratio.
Brief
Course Itinerary
Starting
in Chamonix, France, you traverse by ski the spectacular
high mountain route to Zermatt, Switzerland. By
staying each night in comfortable mountain refuges,
set high in the mountains, this course will appeal
to those who want to spend a week in amazing mountain
scenery. Note that the Haute Route has many variations,
and that it is often essential to alter itineraries
often to cater for weather, fitness, hut spaces
and conditions.
Sunday
- Travel to Chamonix for course briefing
Travel to Chamonix
to arrive for the 17:00 check-in followed
by and course safety and itinerary briefings.
There is time for kit checks or rental of
equipment, and the guide who is leading you
normally comes to say hello and to talk you
through the route on the map. Briefings are
over by 19:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany
the group to pre-dinner drinks. Some clients
opt to travel out a day or two early to get
their hill legs back. Before you go to bed,
pack your bag for the week ahead. Night in
Chamonix.
Monday
- Briefing, then Le
Tour (Chamonix valley) to Albert Premier Hut
Meet with your guide, and after bag checks,
you travel up the valley to Le Tour 1453m,
and take the cable car to Col de Balme 2180m.
Here you start the hike up to reach the Albert
Premier hut 2705m, situated on the moraines
above the Le Tour glacier. After stopping
at the hut, to allow you time for lunch, you
descend onto the glacier for some crampon
training. The glacier training takes a few
hours, and then return to the Albert Premier,
where you stay the night, for an early start
the next day. Height: +525 m, -0m.
Tueday
-
Glacier trek from Albert 1er Hut to Champex
Early start to ascend the Le Tour glacier
and to traverse over the Col du Tour 3289m.
Here you cross the border into Switzerland.
As you cross the Trient Glacier, you are rewarded
with amazing views across to the Aiguille
du Tour and Aiguilles Dorées. On the
far side of the high glacier plateau, you
start descending the Orny Glacier past two
mountain huts. Leaving the glaciers behind,
you reach the path to the Breya chairlift,
where you descend to Champex. The night is
spent in a mountain gîte. Height: +584m,
-1101m.
Wednesday
-
Glacier trek from Champex to Cabane des Dix
Another early start to take a transfer to
the Chanrion hut 2462m. Here starts a tough
day crossing four high passes; Col du Tuofeiret
2642m, Col de la Lire Rose 3115m, Col du Mont
Rouge 3395m, and the Col de Cheilon 3243m.
The trails between the glaciers are remote
and rarely trekked, so you are likely to see
Edelweiss flowers and the Ibex mountain goats
today. After crossing the Giétroz and
Cheilon glaciers, you finally arrive at the
Cabane des Dix 2928m, where you stay for the
night. Height: +933m, -467m.
Thursday
-
Glacier trek from Cabane des Dix to Cabane
des Vignettes
Alpine start from the Cabane des Dix to ascend
the Tsena Réfien Glacier, which eventually
leads you to the highest peak you ascend on
the glacier trek; the Pigne d’Arolla
3796 m. The summit vista is unrivalled, and
you see down the length of the Dix lake. After
taking in the views, you descend onto the
Vuibe Glacier, and continue onwards to reach
the Cabane des Vignettes 3157m. The hut is
the highest you will have stayed in so far,
so the ascent today will have acclimatised
you well for this. Height: +868m, -639m.
Friday
-
Glacier trek from Cabane des Vignettes to
Cabane Bertol
Today involves two steady climbs, and one
descent. You start ascending to the high Evêque
pass 3392m, then descend down to the Arolla
Glacier, where you ascend first to the Plan
Bertol 2665m, then upwards until you finally
reach the Bertol hut 3311m. Upon
arriving beneath the hut, you are faced with
a series of ladders and cables to ascend to
reach the hut that is perched on the top of
the ridge, in an amazing location. Night is
spent in the Bertol Hut, and is your last
night in the mountains. Height: +881m,
-727 m.
Saturday
-
Glacier trek from the Cabane Bertol to Zermatt
Today is the longest day of the whole trek.
A final Alpine start is requires to set off
early to reach the summit of the Tête
Blanche 3707m, and the North Face of the Matterhorn
is right in front of you. Needless to say,
this stunning backdrop is featured in many
photos from groups on the Tête
Blanche. From here you make the long descent
of the
Stockji glacier to reach the Schonbiel hut.
The trek follows the moraine then scenic paths
to Zermatt 1620m. Transfer back to Chamonix for night. Height: +413m, -2087m.
Sunday
Breakfast
then the accommodation check out is by 10:00.
Most arrange their airport transfers to leave
around this time, to catch a flight from Geneva
about midday.
Depart for home.
Some people opt to book a tandem paraglider
flight in the morning c.1000€.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow
itineraries. Mountain adventures are weather
and conditions dependant, so occasionaly we
are forced to alter the plans. If this is
the case, suitable alternatives are offered.
Please use this outline itinerary as a guide
to the types of route / activity that you
will attempt.
Course
Prices
Standard
course
6 days IFMGA guiding, 1:6 max ratio
8 days holiday in total, Sunday - Sunday
£1795
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
How to book
Secure
payments, bonded tour operator
Details of how to book, click
here
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain
Guides for six days, 2) Chamonix course hosts
for logistics & briefings, 3) Pre course information
booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops,
5) Two nights self-catered accommodation in Chamonix
(inc. bedding & towels), 6) Five nights half-board accommodation
in mountain huts / lodges, 7)
Preferential rates on kit hire, 8) Free 36 page
technical Course Instruction Booklet, 9) Transport
in Chamonix valley on the guided days.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable cars for
you and guide (c.60€pp), 3) Equipment hire,
4) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, &
any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants,
5) Road transport outside Chamonix valley (Champex-Chanrion
c.30€pp based on six) and Zermatt / Tasch -
Chamonix (c.60€pp based on six), 6) Last night
celebratory meal & drinks, 7) Activities insurance,
& excess baggage charges.
Group
sizes: 3 - 6 people per
IFMGA mountain guide. For group sizes of over 6
people, there are multiple guides, and the teams
travel independently of each other.
Notes: This trip is also available on a private 1:2 ratio, for two people booking together, at £2295 per person.
Extension: Ascent of Breithorn 4164m. You can extend and upgrade your trip with this ascent. On the last day of guiding, you and your guide could stay the night in Zermatt, then the next day catch the cable car
to the Klein Matterhorn 3883m. Ahead of you
is the summit of the Breithorn 4164m. The
ascent to the summit provides you the opportunity
to reach your first 4000m peak, and
is graded PD. From the summit ridge, there
is a stunning view back to the Matterhorn.
Return by the same route, and descend to Zermatt
1620m in the cable car. Transfer back
to Chamonix.
Height: +281m, -281m. Contact us for prices.
Current
course availability
Course Dates Glacier Haute Route
[5+] 29 Jun - 6 Jul 2025
NOTE:
This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are four
who
are booking together, it can
be
operated on any date you wish
A
well matched group of people,
with an inspirational Guide.
We learnt loads and had a great
time on our way to Zermatt. Your
logistical support was great,
as was the attention to detail Suzanne
T , Haute Route Tour
Thanks
to everyone involved in making
this happen for us; the guides,
Chamonix team, and the UK office
for putting up with my endless
queries before the course. You
were all great, and I can't thank
you enough Josephine
T
, Haute Route Tour
Great
trip thanks... fantastic weather,
excellent Guide and good company... Russ
C
, Haute Route Tour
Testimonials
Press
& media
Films
& videos
Photo
gallery
Location
data for this trip
The
trips all start in Chamonix valley in the French
Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed
via a 90 minute transfer from Geneva airport.
Time
Difference
GMT +1hr
Local
Currency
€ & CHF
Travel
from UK
1hr flight
Trip
photo gallery
What
is glacier trekking?
Glacier
trekking is gaining popularity, amongst those who
enjoy trekking, and who wish to push more into the
high mountain environment, without feeling the need
or desire to climb exposed or techical peaks.
On most days of this trek, you are walking on glaciers,
and so wear a safety harness, to link everyone onto
a rope which is attached to the guide. The rope
is there to protect you from any falls on steeper
ground, and to cross snow bridges over crevasses
safely.
No previous climbing skills are required for this
style of trek, but it appeals to the type of trekker
who has maybe climbed Mount Toubkal in Winter, or
who has hiked up Kilimanjaro.
Glacier trekking is adventurous trekking, rather
than actual climbing, and it gives you great access
into the mountains, using the glaciers as the path
of least resistance between the mightly Alpine peaks.
View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here
Pro top tips - geeks corner!
Any
further questions?
A
key part of choosing a company is being able to
come and talk about your plans with an experienced
course advisor face to face. In an increasingly
virtual world, we know our clients value speaking
to real people, getting open and honest advice.
The vast majority of our clients are British, and
our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere
in the English Lake District.
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for
a coffee to discuss your course in person with a
trip
advisor. Many people opt for this
service, and it is an integral part of what we offer,
as we are keen to ensure that you are prepared as
possible, and that you select a course that is suitable
for you. It makes it easier and more enjoyable for
you and us, if you are on the right trip.
