CHAMONIX TO ZERMATT – WALKERS’ HAUTE ROUTE

150 km from Chamonix to Zermatt

10,000m ascent

4 people

3 days

… Over 100 energy bars and gels, 50 litres of electrolyte drinks, 3 bottles of suncream, 2 wrong turns, 1 twisted ankle, 1 bottle of champagne and 8 very tired legs …

Chamonix to Zermatt on foot is known as the walkers’ Haute Route: an iconic high mountain journey linking Mont Blanc in France with the Matterhorn in Switzerland. In the winter, it’s probably the most famous ski tour in the world. In the summer, it would normally it’d be a 2 week walking holiday.

So as part of our summer of trail running, we decided to do it in 3 days.

Covering 35-55km per day, the days were long, hot, high and tiring, but stunningly beautiful. We ran as much of the route as we could – mainly the flats and downhills, and walked the uphilll and highest sections.

We were incredibly lucky to have fabulous weather for the entire journey (wouldn’t want to get stuck on a couple of the high passes in a white out), and managed to complete an amazing journey almost to the minute of our time plan! (spreadsheet geekiness rules).

Day 1:

La Tour to Prafleuri Hut, via Champex and Verbier

Day 2:

Prafleuri hut to Zinal, via Arolla and Barrage du Moiry

Day 3:

Zinal to Zermatt, via Gruben and St Niklaus

Big thanks to:

Josie – endurance queen and soon to be UTMB –er

Tom – ‘man up’ and run 60km on a sprained ankle

Neil – mountain goat supreme

Anne – fresh legs and new chat

Monica – great to see you again!

… and especially

Jules – supermum to be – who, while most normal women at 8 months pregnant are putting their feet up and chilling out, spent 2 days driving around the Alps, ferrying extra food, moral support, champagne, and then driving a car full of knackered, stinky runners home.

 For more info on Adventure Base Trail running holidays, have a look here:  http://www.adventurebase.com/sun/adventures/trail-running

Or give us a call on UK: 0845 527 5812.