Routeburn Track New Zealand

Routeburn Track: Day Hike Options, Trail Stats & Photos

Tim New Zealand 2 Comments

The Routeburn Track is considered one of the best hikes in New Zealand, and for a good reason, as there are many picturesque elements to this hike. The Routeburn Track will take you through lush mossy forests, across rivers, streams, and swing bridges, past pristine alpine lakes, past more waterfalls than you can count, and to jaw dropping vistas of …

Walkers Haute Route Planner

How To Plan Your Walker’s Haute Route Experience

Tim France, Switzerland 4 Comments

The Walker’s Haute Route is a 14-stage trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. It is a tough yet rewarding experience through the French and Swiss Alps that crosses 10 mountain passes and offers incredible scenery along the way. It is a beast of a trek! It took us 13 days, averaging 16 km (10 miles) with 1,140 meters (3,740 …

Haute Route Photos

Walker’s Haute Route in Photos

Julie France, Switzerland 4 Comments

Hiking the Walker’s Haute Route is more than putting one foot in front of the other on a hiking trail for panoramic views of the Alps. This journey takes you to remote mountain huts, to tiny hamlets on the mountainsides, and small villages in the valleys. We tried new foods (lots of cheese, meat, potatoes, and bread), did our best …

Walkers Haute Route

Walker’s Haute Route: 21 Important Things to Know & FAQ

Julie France, Switzerland 7 Comments

The Walker’s Haute Route is one of the most rewarding and memorable multi-day walks in Europe. On this journey, hikers will cross 10 of the highest mountain passes in the Alps, while walking from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. It’s an extraordinary journey but not without its challenges. With 14 stages, multiple variations to the route, and a narrow window …

Walkers Haute Route Trail Sign

Walker’s Haute Route Stages: An Overview of All 14 Stages

Julie France, Switzerland 23 Comments

The Walker’s Haute Route is a multi-day trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. On this walk, hikers will cross 10 mountain passes, walk through small towns and through rugged, remote landscapes, and get to experience a less touristy side of the Swiss Alps. There are several routes that take hikers from Chamonix to Zermatt. The “classic route” typically takes …

Walkers Haute Route Stage 14

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 14: Europahütte to Zermatt

Tyler Switzerland 2 Comments

From bridges, caves, hamlets, and impressive views of the finish line, the final stage of the Walker’s Haute Route has it all. Every step brings you closer to the end goal of Zermatt, a beautiful town that’s renowned for its skiing and hiking. Enjoy the views along the way, as they only get better the further you go. The Haute …

Haute Route Stage 13 Europahutte

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 13: St. Niklaus to the Europahütte

Julie Switzerland 6 Comments

As you enter one of the final stages of the Walker’s Haute Route, you will most likely be sore, a bit fatigued, and growing tired of massive mountain ascents and descents. Plus, the anticipation of seeing Zermatt and the Matterhorn grows. The good news is that Stage 13 of the Haute Route features the final climb of the trek. There …

Walkers Haute Route Photo

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 12: Gruben to Augstbordpass to St. Niklaus

Tyler Switzerland 2 Comments

Today’s stage marks the beginning of the end of the Walker’s Haute Route. With only three stages to go, things once again ramp up in both alpine views and physical challenge in terms of the trail. Opening up to Mattertal valley and passing through a large hamlet, Stage 12 has little shortage in excellent views. However, with its long ascent …

Walkers Haute Route and a Cow

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 11: Zinal to Forcletta to Gruben

Kara Switzerland Leave a Comment

Stage 11 of the Walker’s Haute Route is another challenging mountain climb and descent. Yet, it is a great and rewarding hike with beautiful views over the Turtmanntal valley, the glacier-capped mountains of Weisshorn and Bishorn to the south, and the Rhone Valley and Bernese Alps to the north. This is one of the most beautiful days on the Haute …

Haute Route Stage 10 to Zinal

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 10: Lac de Moiry to Col de Sorebois to Zinal

Tyler Switzerland 1 Comment

Having completed a segment of Stage 10 on yesterday’s hike, we found ourselves with another short day today. However, that did not make it easy. Today’s hike finds you crossing over another mountain pass as you hike from Lac de Moiry to Zinal. As is the same for other days of the Walker’s Haute Route, today once again offers incredible …

Haute Route Stage 9 Photo

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 9: Les Haudères to Lac de Moiry

Kara Switzerland Leave a Comment

Stage 9 of the Walker’s Haute Route starts in Les Haudères or La Sage and from these two villages, it is a challenging hike up to Col du Tsaté. From Col du Tsaté, it is an easier and scenic downhill walk to Lac de Moiry. There are beautiful views as you look out over high snowy peaks and the valley …

Haute Route Stage 8 Photo

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 8: Arolla to Les Haudères

Tyler Switzerland Leave a Comment

Stage 8 is both the easiest and shortest of the 14 stages that make up the Walker’s Haute Route and it is a great chance to catch your breath and rest your legs before heading into the final stretches of the Haute Route. Beginning in Arolla, you will hike up and over hillsides, passing through several quaint hamlets and around …

Haute Route Stage 7 Photo

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 7: Cabane de Prafleuri to Arolla

Kara Switzerland Leave a Comment

Stage 7 is one of our favorite stages of the Walker’s Haute Route. This is a beautiful walk from start to finish. Today’s trail covers a wide variety of landscapes, from glacier-covered mountains, a lovely milky-blue lake, forested hills, and wide open grasslands. In terms of difficulty, today’s stage is relatively easy. You will have one long climb, but for …

Haute Route Stage 6 Photo

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 6: Cabane du Mont Fort to Cabane de Prafleuri

Julie Switzerland Leave a Comment

On very tired legs we started Stage 6 of the Walker’s Haute Route. Today’s hike is a quintessential day on the Haute Route. In about 7 hours, you will cross several cols, hike past glacial lakes, and enjoy views of spectacular alpine scenery. In fact, Stage 6 is the most scenic day yet. This is another challenging day but we …

Cabane du Mont Fort Photo

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 5: Le Châble to Cabane du Mont Fort

Tyler Switzerland Leave a Comment

Hopefully you are feeling well rested, as Stage 5 of the Walker’s Haute Route includes one of the largest climbs of the entire route. Beginning in the valley in Le Châble, you will work your way up into the high alpine mountain ranges where you will spend the night. Be prepared for wild changes in scenery, as the views only …

Haute Route Stage 4

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 4: Champex-Lac to Le Châble

Tyler Switzerland Leave a Comment

After two long, strenuous climbs and steep descents offered by the last two stages of the Walker’s Haute Route, Stage 4 provides a much needed day of recovery. Although you will still end up hiking roughly 14 km (8 miles), Stage 4 is much less challenging and one of the easiest days of the entire Haute Route. Taking a break …

Haute Route Trient Glacier

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 3: Trient to Fenêtre d’Arpette to Champex-Lac

Kara Switzerland Leave a Comment

Stage 3 of the Walker’s Haute Route is the most challenging stage yet, but also one of the most rewarding. A massive, steep climb takes you up to the top of a mountain pass, Fenêtre d’Arpette, and along the way, you will have fantastic views of the Trient Glacier. It is a hard hike, and one of the toughest climbs …

Haute Route Stage 2 Photo

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 2: Argentière to Col de Balme to Trient

Julie France, Switzerland Leave a Comment

After an easy, somewhat unexciting walk from Chamonix to Argentière, the hike gets to be a lot more interesting on this stage. It also gets a lot more challenging. Stage 2 of the Walker’s Haute Route is the first time you really get to test out your legs and enjoy the alpine views for which this trek is famous for. …

Chamonix France Summer

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 1: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to Argentière

Julie France, Switzerland 2 Comments

Stage 1 of the Walker’s Haute Route is the shortest, easiest day of the entire trek. It’s a mostly flat walk between Chamonix and Argentière and for most of this stage, you are either walking through town or through an evergreen forest. If you spent any time in Chamonix or Argentière prior to starting this trek, as we did, you’ll …

Everest Base Camp Questions

How to Trek to Everest Base Camp: Your Questions, Answered

Julie Nepal 10 Comments

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is an unforgettable journey. Hike through the mighty Himalayas, visit the monasteries, spin the prayer wheels, and make memories that will last a lifetime. We get a lot of questions about what it takes to plan and then trek to Everest Base Camp. So, I decided to put together a post with our answers to …