Stroll
Walker's Haute Route: Arolla to Zermatt – 8 Days
SwitzerlandSwiss Alps

Walker's Haute Route: Arolla to Zermatt – 8 Days

8 Days
Challenging

Walker's Haute Route: Arolla to Zermatt – 8 Days

from £2,180 / person

Overview

The Walker's Haute Route follows the iconic eastern section of one of the Alps' most celebrated long-distance routes, from Arolla to Zermatt. Unlike the original mountaineering Haute Route, this variation keeps to alpine trails below 3,000 metres, making it a challenging but non-technical trek accessible to experienced walkers with a good level of fitness.

Over six days, the route crosses several high passes with sweeping views of the surrounding massifs before descending into the valleys and villages that define this corner of the Swiss Alps. The walk concludes in Zermatt, one of the most dramatic settings of any mountain town in Europe, at the foot of the Matterhorn.

Highlights

  • Alpine trails taking you through increasingly remote and stunning mountain landscapes.
  • Expect the best of Swiss mountain hiking as you walk through alpine pastures resonating with the sound of cowbells.
  • The final days lead you to Zermatt, where the iconic Matterhorn marks the end of your adventure.
  • Crossing the Augustbordpass, an altitude of around 2,894 meters, is a challenging but rewarding part of the trek, giving hikers a sense of achievement.

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

2.5-Star Hotel (1 night), 3-Star Hotel (5 nights), Mountain Lodge (1 night)

Meals

7 breakfasts, and 5 dinners

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

5

Stroll Walking Grade

Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

6

Days on the trail

11-17 km

Daily distance range

830-1182 m

Daily ascent range

7/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Sleep well on this route across seven nights in private double occupancy rooms, from mountain lodges to three-star hotels along the way. All rooms have private bathrooms except in Gruben where a simple mountain lodge serves as the overnight stop without en-suite facilities. Where itinerary changes occasionally require alternative accommodation, properties of equivalent standard and quality will always be arranged. If your accommodation differs from what is shown in the programme, please make sure you know where you are in relation to each day's route.


What You'll Eat

Breakfast and dinner are well covered on this tour, with seven breakfasts and five dinners included. Dinner is served at your accommodation on most evenings, and the final two nights in Tasch and Zermatt are left open for you to eat out and explore both towns at your own pace. For lunch, most properties along the route can put together a picnic to take on the trail. Gruben is the exception, though all villages along the way have grocery stores if you prefer to plan your own.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in the mountains.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Arolla and finishes in Zermatt, in the Swiss Alps. The most convenient airport is Geneva (GVA), with good international connections, from where a direct train to Sion takes around 2 hours, with a PostBus connection onward to Arolla via Les Haudères. Zurich (ZRH) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) are well-connected alternatives, both with train connections to Sion and the same PostBus onward to Arolla. Sion Airport (SIR) is the closest but has very limited connections. Book Swiss rail and bus tickets in advance through SBB.

The walk ends in Zermatt, which is car-free but well connected by rail. The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn connects Zermatt to Visp and Brig, from where trains run to Geneva, Zurich, and Milan for onward flights and international rail connections.

This walk is available from 6 July to 15 September, with no fixed start days. The season is set to ensure the high passes are reliably clear of snow. In the event of heavy late snowfall, some trails may remain closed into mid-July; if so, we will do our best to reschedule your tour. July brings alpine wildflowers and long evenings, August offers the warmest and most settled conditions, and early September is quieter with more stable weather and the larches beginning to turn gold. Pack warm layers and waterproofs whatever the month.

Trails are well-defined and waymarked, covering varied terrain including high alpine pastures, rocky mountain paths, and stretches through mountain towns and villages. Expect prolonged ascents and descents, sections of rough surface, and steps. Sturdy walking boots with excellent ankle support and grip are essential.

An active lifestyle and solid walking experience will make this tour considerably more enjoyable. An exercise regime of three to four times per week, with a strong emphasis on hill work, is recommended in preparation.

Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

Travel insurance is required for all Stroll walking holidays, covering cancellation costs, loss of luggage and injury. For international trips, your policy must also include medical evacuation coverage. A cancellation fee applies if you cancel after your holiday has been confirmed.

Luggage Management during trip: During this trip, the packing system needs to be in 2 bags.

Extra luggage – Checked Bag(s) and Carry-on Bag(s): This bag will contain all the items you want to bring along on the trip. It will be transferred by vehicle/taxi, and you will have access to it at the end of each day of activity, but not throughout the day. Extra luggage is not allowed or easily stored on this trip beyond the 1 bag per person requirement. Maximum 20kg/44lbs per bag per person.

Day Backpack (not provided): All guests will need a backpack, which they will be responsible for carrying during hikes. Items in this bag should include anything you may need throughout the day during the trip (i.e. rain gear, warm layers, sunscreen/lip balm, snacks/food, camera/phone, etc.)

Each morning, it will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 8.00 am. This generally will be at reception or where you pick up your luggage the night before. Please consult your hosts if you need any details. Bags must be no more than 20kg (this is French legislation)

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this itinerary. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Out of season

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

June through September (summer to early autumn) is the main walking season in Switzerland. July and August offer the warmest conditions and the best chance of clear views, while June brings wildflowers across the alpine meadows and September sees the first golden colours of autumn with noticeably fewer crowds. High passes and some routes above 2,500 metres may still carry snow in early June.

Geneva is the main gateway for the Tour du Mont Blanc and Haute Route itineraries. Zurich is a good option for walks further east. Switzerland's rail network is exceptional — from either airport, trains connect quickly and reliably to virtually any starting point on your itinerary.

Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations each day, so you walk with just a daypack. Bags must weigh no more than 20kg. On most itineraries your luggage arrives at the next accommodation by early evening. Keep your passport and valuables with you rather than in your main bag.

Across the walks, you'll stay in a mix of three-star hotels, family-run guesthouses and simple mountain hotels, all with private ensuite rooms. The standard is consistently comfortable — Swiss hospitality rarely disappoints. Most itineraries include breakfast daily and several dinners.

Coverage is generally good by alpine standards — Switzerland's infrastructure is world-class — but signal can drop in more remote valleys and high passes. A downloaded offline map is a sensible backup, and the smartphone app included with your travel packet works without data.

A daypack in the 25–30L range is ideal. Pack two to three litres of water, snacks, a waterproof jacket with hood, warm mid-layers, sun protection (the alpine sun is strong at altitude), a headtorch, your walk notes and map, and any personal medication. Walking poles are worth considering — the high-pass itineraries involve significant ascent and descent.

Layers are essential. Conditions in the Swiss Alps can shift from warm sunshine to cold wind and rain within an hour, especially at altitude. A quality waterproof jacket is non-negotiable. Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support are strongly recommended for the higher-graded routes. For the Tour du Mont Blanc and Haute Route, warm gloves and a hat are worth packing even in July.

The Switzerland walks are rated challenging to strenuous. The Tour du Mont Blanc and Haute Route both involve daily ascents and descents of 800 to 1,200 metres or more, and several days exceed 20km. A solid base of fitness and regular hill walking in the months before you leave will make a real difference to how much you enjoy it. The Via Francigena itinerary is rated moderate and suits a wider range of walkers.

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). It is one of the more expensive countries in Europe — budget accordingly for lunches, drinks and any activities not included in your package. Credit cards are widely accepted, but having some cash on hand is useful in smaller mountain villages. Tipping is not expected in Switzerland but rounding up the bill is common practice.

Yes, and it's a condition of booking. Your policy must cover injury, trip cancellation, luggage loss and medical evacuation. Mountain rescue in Switzerland is excellent but chargeable — a helicopter evacuation from a high pass can cost several thousand francs. Never pack your passport in your main luggage.

Want to Know More?

The Swiss Alps experience

Wonder
Walk the eastern section of the Walkers Haute Route from Arolla to Zermatt, finishing in the shadow of the Matterhorn
Cross the Col de Riedmatten, the highest section of the route with commanding views over the Pennine Alps
The Matterhorn's distinctive pyramid appears on the final descent into Zermatt, one of the great walk finishes
Wellness
Switzerland's 50,000 kilometres of meticulously maintained trails make this one of the world's great walking destinations
Mountain huts and valley inns provide warm food and comfortable beds at the end of every challenging day
The Haute Route's stages are achievable for experienced walkers seeking a serious but non-technical challenge
Nature
More than fifty peaks above 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Dom, line the horizon
Glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and towering waterfalls mark each day of this classic alpine traverse
Chamois, marmots, and ibex are commonly encountered on the high sections of the Haute Route