Trail running from Chamonix to Zermatt

33km, D+ 2500m, D- 2300m, around 9-10 hiking hours.
8AM: meeting at the train station in Chamonix. During the first stage of the Haute Route we leave Chamonix valley by the Balme pass, from where we reach Switzerland. The imposing glacier faces us at the small valley of Trient. Then it is time to leave the forest and climb towards the Fenêtre d’Arpette. This path becomes more and more mineral and the arrival to the mountain pass offers beautiful landscapes. Finally, a technical descent brings us to the Arpette plateau, right above Champex for the end of this stage. Dinner and overnight in a cottage.

30km, D+/- 2100m, around 8-9 hiking hours.
We will start the second day by descending. After traversing Champex we will dive right into the chef-lieu Orsières. It is then time to climb and visit the small Valais villages Reppaz and Commeire. The ascent continues towards Mont-Brulé amongst meadows and pastures, and then we move to the ridge between the Val de Bagnes and Val d’Entremont. After one more effort we reach the Mille pass where there is an exceptional 360˚ panorama. The last effort of the day is the traverse heading to the Cabane Brunet before ending the day at Fionnay! Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

34km, D+ 2700m, D- 2300m, around 8-9 hiking hours.
The day begins with an ascent towards the Cabane de Louvie and its alpine lake. We reach from there the mineral world by the Louvie pass and the Prafleuri pass. We are on the tracks of the Patrouille des Glaciers, the famous Swiss ski alpinism race. Then we walk along the Grande Dixence dam, before reaching the Riedmatten pass. A final descent remains to find ourselves in the nice village of Arolla at the Val d’Hérens. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in dormitories.

32km, D+ 1700m, D- 2300m, around 8-9 hiking hours.
We start descending the Val d’Hérens towards Haudères where we can see the houses that are typical to this region. We continue by climbing regularly through the villages of Sage and Villaz before switching through the Torrent pass to the Val d’Anniviers. The landscape on the summits here is imposing. We reach the Moiry dam before ending the day at St Jean cottage further down the valley. Dinner and overnight in a cottage.

34km, D+ 2800m, D- 2900m, around 9-10 hiking hours.
This great stage of Chamonix-Zermatt will lead us to the German-speaking part of Valais. The first ascent of the day is the Meidpass, through which we leave the Val d’Anniviers. We are now in the wild Tourtemagne valley, then we start the second ascent of the day. Here is the last pass of our journey, the Augustbordpass, overlooking the Zermatt valley. We conclude with a beautiful descent to finally arrive at St Nicolas. Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

20km, D+ 750m, D- 200m, around 4-5 hiking hours.
For the grand finale, we will run in the Matterhorn valley. During the ascent, the famous mountain will gradually present itself to us and we will be able to admire its North face. It is a steady ascent and we will find this mythical station, hot spot of alpinism, 6 days after our departure. Return to Chamonix by bus late afternoon.