Haute Route: Chamonix Grand Start

Welcome to the French Alps! Upon arrival at Geneva Airport, you will be welcomed with a Meet & Greet with a MyMountains Guide before making your own way to the charming mountain town of Chamonix, nestled beneath Western Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc. After checking into your hotel, take the rest of the day to relax, explore the lively alpine streets, or enjoy one of the many cafés and restaurants before your hiking adventure begins.

Accommodation: Pointe Isabelle (or comparable lodging). 

Begin your adventure with a short scenic train ride through the Chamonix Valley to Montroc, where your first hike starts.
Today’s trail crosses from France into Switzerland, winding through peaceful alpine forests, flower-filled meadows, and panoramic mountain landscapes before descending into the picturesque village of Trient, famous for its distinctive pink church. Continue by public transport through the spectacular Trient Valley to the historic town of Martigny, surrounded by vineyards and dramatic peaks.

Today’s Hike

• Distance: 13.3 km (8.3 miles)
• Elevation Gain: 910 m (2,985 ft)
• Elevation Loss: 990 m (3,250 ft)
• Time: 6–6.5 hours
• Hiking Difficulty: Challenging

Meals included: Breakfast. 

Accommodation: Hotel Borsari (or comparable lodging).

Today’s hike is one of the true highlights of the legendary Walker’s Haute Route. To accommodate different hiking preferences and weather conditions, you can choose between two spectacular routes.

The classic Via Bovine follows historic shepherd trails through alpine meadows and mountain pastures, offering a slightly easier and more forgiving hike. For experienced hikers seeking a greater challenge, the Fenêtre d’Arpette route crosses a dramatic high mountain pass with breathtaking alpine scenery and a more rugged, demanding trail.

If you choose the Fenêtre d’Arpette route, you also have the option of taking the La Breya chairlift near the end of the hike, reducing the final descent while enjoying magnificent views over Champex-Lac.

Whichever route you choose, you’ll finish in the idyllic lakeside village of Champex-Lac, often referred to as the “Little Canada of Switzerland.”

Today’s Hike

Option 1 – Fenêtre d’Arpette (Most Challenging)

• Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles)
• Elevation Gain: 1,730 m (5,675 ft)
• Elevation Loss: 850 m (2,790 ft)
• Time: 7–8 hours

Optional La Breya chairlift available near the end of the hike.

Option 2 – Via Bovine (Recommended Easier Option)

• Distance: 15.5 km (9.6 miles)
• Elevation Gain: 1000 m (3,280 ft)
• Elevation Loss: 830 m (2,725 ft)
• Time: 6–7 hours

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate (Via Bovine) to Challenging (Fenêtre d’Arpette)

Meals included: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel du Glacier (or comparable lodging)

Enjoy a leisurely descent from the peaceful lakeside village of Champex-Lac through forests, meadows, and traditional Swiss villages to Sembrancher. This shorter hike offers the perfect opportunity to recover while soaking in the beautiful scenery of the Valais region.

From Sembrancher, board the train to Martigny, where you’ll connect to another train bound for Sion. From there, continue by local bus into the picturesque Val d’Hérens.

Your destination is the charming mountain village of Les Haudères, where you’ll check into your comfortable spa hotel for a relaxing two-night stay.

Today’s Hike

• Distance: 8.7 km (5.4 miles)
• Elevation Gain: 90 m (295 ft)
• Elevation Loss: 835 m (2,740 ft)
• Time: 3 hours
• Hiking Difficulty: Easy

Meals included: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel Les Mélèzes (or comparable lodging).

Today, take a well-deserved break and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Les Haudères.
Relax in your hotel’s spa, stroll through the traditional alpine village, or simply admire the spectacular mountain scenery before the next stage of your adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel Les Mélèzes (or comparable lodging).

Today’s spectacular hike is another highlight of the tour. Starting in the traditional village of La Sage, climb over the scenic Col de Torrent, one of the finest mountain passes in the Valais Alps.
From the pass, descend to the breathtaking turquoise waters of Lac de Moiry, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful alpine lakes, before continuing to the postcard-perfect village of Grimentz.

Today’s Hike

• Distance: 11.4 km (7.1 miles)
• Elevation Gain: 1,180 m (3,870 ft)
• Elevation Loss: 670 m (2,200 ft)
• Time: 5–6 hours
• Hiking Difficulty: Challenging

Meals included: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel Grimentz (or comparable lodging).

Today, return to the magnificent Lac de Moiry for a scenic loop hike around its striking turquoise waters.
Surrounded by towering peaks and the impressive Moiry Glacier, today’s hike offers unforgettable alpine panoramas and a chance to experience one of Switzerland’s most spectacular mountain landscapes from every angle.

Today’s Hike

• Distance: 10.9 km (6.8 miles)
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 580 m (1,900 ft)
• Time: 4–4.5 hours
• Hiking Difficulty: Easy – Moderate

Meals included: Breakfast. 

Accommodation: Hotel Grimentz (or comparable lodging).

After breakfast, travel by Switzerland’s world-famous rail network back to Geneva Airport, enjoying one final journey through Switzerland’s spectacular Alpine landscapes.

While this marks the conclusion of Part I – Haute Route: Chamonix Grand Start, your adventure doesn’t have to end here. If you wish to continue, join Part II – Haute Route: Zermatt Finale, where you’ll hike across the spectacular Augstbord Pass, cross the famous Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge in Randa, and finish beneath the iconic Matterhorn in Zermatt.

For the ultimate Alpine adventure, combine both itineraries into our signature 14-day Haute Route: Ultimate Alpine Crossing—a hotel-based interpretation of one of the world’s greatest long-distance hiking journeys.

Meals included: Breakfast.