The Haute Route

Trail Running Adventure

Summer 2024

Traveling from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland, trail running the legendary Haute Route combines some of the most epic mountain running that you can experience in the Alps. Starting with views of Mount Blanc and ending with views of the Matterhorn in Zermatt, this trail covers ~105 miles with just under 35,000 feet of elevation gain in 6 days (5 days on the trail and one rest day). You'll relax in towns nightly and stay in comfortable hotels as you get ready for long and challenging days on the trail. Your professional and experienced mountain trail running guide will show you the highlights of this region and adjust to the level of the group on this guided trail running vacation. If you're looking for a step up from the Tour du Mont Blanc in terms of intensity, this trip is for you. This is one of our most adventurous trips for experienced runners and is truly an adventure of a lifetime!

Trip Difficulty: Full Send (click to learn more about trip difficulty levels). This is for experienced runners or trail runners and includes an estimated time of 7-10 hours per day on trails for 5 days with one rest day in the middle.

This trip requires a minimum of 4 to run. Please do not purchase flights until confirming with retreat organizer. This trip can also be requested on a custom basis with a group of 4 or more.

Overview

• Trail running some of the best trails and mountains in the Alps running from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland

•Baggage transport included

• Experience views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn and lesser-known peaks and passes in between

• Long guided days on the trail with an experienced mountain running guide to discover the best variants of the Haute Route for runners

• Enjoy comfortable stays in hotels in between long days in the mountains

• Experience the town of Chamonix for your first evening as well as a rest day in Switzerland in a charming mountain town

***Pass by hidden mountain huts, snow-capped peaks, and glaciers on your run through the Alps along the Haute Route***

Sample Trip Itinerary Summer 2024

Day 1

Welcome to Chamonix!

Our trip will start the evening of Day 1 with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! We recommend that you arrive in Chamonix early to adjust to the time change and explore the fabulous markets, trails, and atmosphere of Chamonix.

Double accommodation in 4-star hotel with breakfast included

DAY 2

From France to Switzerland

After a delicious breakfast we'll get an early start to our first day on the trails heading up into the mountains of Chamonix towards the Col de Balme. As we crest over into Switzerland, we'll leave views of the Mont Blanc massif behind before heading towards the famous Fenetre d’Arpette, a technical variant of the Tour du Mont Blanc. We'll descend the Arpette Valley until reaching the charming lakeside down of Champex-Lac, where we'll spend the evening at another comfortable hotel.

Double accommodation in private rooms in 3-star hotel with breakfast included

Baggage transfer included

Roughly 20 miles, +7,000 feet ascent/ -6,000 feet descent**

**Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change, but this is a good guideline**

***Views of the Matterhorn appear on your final day arriving in Zermatt, Switzerland***

DAY 3

High Peaks and Passes

After fueling up at our hotel, we'll take a short private transfer to the start of our next full day on the trails. Our next Swiss destination will be Arolla via Col de Reidmatten or the Pas de Chevres (ladders). On the way we'll pass by glaciers, snowfields, and mountains sprawling in every direction. Our destination will be the charming town of Arolla, Switzerland, where we'll relax from a long day in the mountains in a comfortable hotel room.

Double accommodation in private rooms with breakfast included

Baggage transport included

Roughly 24.5 miles/+7,500 feet ascent/-6,500 feet descent

DAY 4

To Zinal

After breakfast we'll enjoy a gentle valley warmup before heading to our two big climbs of the day, the Col de Torrent and Col de Sorebois before a final descent into Zinal. If you're a fan of mountain and trail running, you'll be pleased to know that we overlap with the location of the famous Sierra-Zinal race (it's been called the "New York Marathon of trail races"). We'll celebrate completion of 3 big days on the trail knowing we can enjoy a rest day tomorrow.

Double accommodation in 3-star hotel in town with breakfast included

Baggage transfer included

Roughly 19.8 miles/+7,000 ascent/-7,000 feet descent

DAY 5

Rest Day in Switzerland

Enjoy a long sleep, a leisurely breakfast, and having time to relax and explore this charming Swiss mountain town.

Double accommodation in 3-star hotel in town with breakfast included

DAY 6

Into the Mountains

After breakfast, we'll get an early start with another big day on the trails following our rest day. Today we'll tackle first the Col de la Forcletta before descending into the German-speaking valley of Gruben. After a German pastry and beverage we'll head up to the final col of the Haute Route, cresting Agustbordpass at 9,495 feet in the scenic Valais at before our final descent into St. Niklaus.

Double accommodation in private rooms in 3-star hotel in town with half board (breakfast and dinner) included

Baggage transfer included

Roughly 24 miles/+8,600 feet ascent/-8,500 feet descent

DAY 7

To the Matterhorn

For our final morning, we'll enjoy an early breakfast and coffee before heading out for our final day on the trails! We'll leave town and head on the famous Europaweg trail into Zermatt. With opportunities for views of the Matterhorn on route, it's the perfect end to the trip and we'll reach Zermatt by late afternoon.

~15 miles/+4,400 feet ascent/-5,500 feet descent

You are free to stay in Zermatt, Switzerland or continue on to other travels! You can arrive back to Chamonix at your leisure by booking a private transfer/shuttle or taking connecting trains (~4h).

***From the trails of Chamonix to the high passes of Switzerland, experience the best of the Alps on the Haute Route***

What’s included

Accommodation for 7 days, 6 nights (double accommodation in private hotel rooms)

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants with experienced mountain guide Lodging in hotels nightly with breakfasts included daily

Baggage transport from accommodations (all you carry is a hydration pack!)

Transfers between trailheads

Trip packet with detailed itinerary including packing lists, weather resources, and how to reach the start by public and private transportation

Access to a personal trip WhatsApp group and community

Not included

International airfare

Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day

Travel Insurance

Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)

Tourist tax to be paid in cash at accommodations (usually ~1 euro per person)

Before You Go

Passport: Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.

Travel Insurance: Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip.

How to Arrive to Chamonix: Chamonix, France is accessed by the international airport Geneva, Switzerland. You can arrive by bus, train, or door to door shared shuttle service. This trip ends in Zermatt, Switzerland. We expect participants to spend some time in Zermatt, Switzerland at the end of the trip, but it is also easy to travel back to Chamonix, France. You can reach Chamonix by car in 2.5-3h or by train in ~4 hours.

Who should attend?

You do not need to be an expert trail runner! However, please note, this is a level FULL SEND trip. This Haute Route Runcation involves more technical trails (including rocks, roots, and tricky footing) in mountainous climates. Runners must be able to complete the trip itinerary covering just over 100 miles and 34,000 feet of elevation gain in 5 days (6 days out with 5 days on the trail and 1 rest day) in mountainous environments, on technical trails, and at times in unfavorable weather conditions in the mountains. It is expected that all participants will hike the long and strenuous uphill climbs at altitude, and also run whenever the guide determines is feasible (including downhill and flat sections). We cannot accommodate walkers or hikers on this running trip. If you’re psyched about tackling the Haute Route in 5 days of running and can meet this trip requirements, you should attend!

Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!

WEATHER

Although the weather in late summer is often ideal, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change on an hourly basis! Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.