Walking in the French & Swiss Alps
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 8 days | PEWA |
| Min Altitude | Max Altitude |
| 1050 | 3342 |
Countries Visited |
|
| France, Switzerland | |
Start City |
End City |
| Chamonix, Rhône-Alpes, France | Zermatt |
Your departure point in France’s mountaineering centre of the Chamonix Valley sets the tone for this walking journey through the Alps. The might of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn loom large as you walk up to 13 kilometres per day, but there still have plenty of time to take in the charming village life along the way.
Why we love it:
- We stay in both Chamonix and Zermatt, the premier two must see destinations in the Alps.
- Trek scenic trails under and around Mont Blanc, Europe’s tallest mountain
- By cable car ascend to the Aiguille du Midi, simply the best Alpine view there is.
- Walk below the Matterhorn, in my view the most iconic and striking mountain in the world’s
- Comfortable hotels, culture, good food and expert leaders.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Chamonix
Meals included: 1 dinner
Accommodation: Gustavia or similar, Chamonix
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Chamonix, a charming old mountain town that lies right at the foot of Mont Blanc (4807 m) - the highest mountain in western Europe. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel (details are in your travel documents), which is centrally located right in the heart of town. Chamonix has been a climbing and skiing centre for over 100 years and is considered the mountaineering capital of Europe. It has a wonderful atmosphere and a well-preserved Old Town, with cobbled streets full of lively sidewalk cafes. In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6 pm, but you will be advised as to the exact place and time in a notice placed near the reception at our hotel), where we are given a briefing of what lies ahead on our tour.
Day 2: Chamonix Valley
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Accommodation: Gustavia or similar, Chamonix
Today we take a short transfer to the head of the valley at 1350 metres. Our aim is to reach Col du Balme (2200 m) via Aiguillettes des Possettes (2180 m). Looking at the altitudes it seems like a long climb, but the path is a steady and well-graded trail that rises out of the valley under the shade of alpine forests. As we climb further up and above the tree line, our view down the valley towards Mont Blanc opens out into a truly spectacular vista. From Aiguillettes des Possettes, a small peak that we reach en route, we enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Alps. Steady contouring paths take us to Col du Balme itself - the perfect place to enjoy a packed lunch. Our decent to Vallorcine (1260 m) is on a wide and easy trail. From there we are transferred a short distance back to Chamonix. (Walking distance: 13 km)
Day 3: Brevent – La Flegérè - Chamonix
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Accommodation: Gustavia or similar, Chamonix
Today’s plan is to see the best that the valley has to offer. As part of our tour we have included a two-day full pass of the area that allows us unlimited access to the ski lift network. We utilise this pass to give us access to two shorter walks. In the morning we take two lifts to the summit of Brevent (2525 m). From here we look directly across the valley to the immense and towering mountain side of Mont Blanc; there is no better view in the valley. We descend approximately 350 metres on to a broad shoulder that gives us fantastic photo opportunities. Looping round we then return to Brevent and descend by cable car to Plan Praz (2000 m), where we follow an undulating contouring path to La Flegérè (1840 m) and our final cable car off the mountainside. This path, the Grand Balcon Sud, is one of Chamonix’s most popular walks and rightly so. (Walking distance: 13 km)
Day 4: Montenvers - Chamonix
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Accommodation: Gustavia or similar, Chamonix
Today is a day of catching interesting lifts. We hop aboard the historic Montenvers cog railway and ascend to Montenvers (1630 m), a mid-level viewing station over the Mer de Glace Glacier. From here we can actually go inside the glacier and view up-close this mammoth river of ice. Our walk today is an easy six kilometres to the mid station of the Aiguille du Midi (2290 m). From here we are whisked up to 3342 metres to view the glaciers and higher slopes of Mont Blanc - a truly spectacular sight. We then descend back to the valley by cable car. (Walking distance: 6 km)
Day 5: Sion - Zermatt
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Jaegerhof or similar, Zermatt
Today is a relaxing day and a chance to rest our legs. Our private coach picks us up in the morning and takes us on a very scenic trip through the valleys into Switzerland. We stop en route in Sion, a charming Swiss town with alleyways that wind through a medieval quarter and an 11th century and 13th century château. After a short visit to Sion, we continue on to Zermatt (1630 m) and the second iconic mountain of the Alps - the Matterhorn.
Day 6: Zermatt Valley
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Accommodation: Jaegerhof or similar, Zermatt
Today we walk up and out of Zermatt and make our way through the old hamlets that were once upon a time the summer farms of the region. Our path gently climbs through the meadows and then under the north face of the Matterhorn. As the forests become thinner our trail turns on its heal and we cross the glacier river at 2220 metres before heading back towards Zermatt on the northern side of the valley, passing through a final hamlet called Zmutt, which is renowned for making great cheese. (Walking distance 13 km)
Day 7: Zermatt ( Free Day)
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: Jaegerhof or similar, Zermatt
Today is a free day in the Zermatt Valley to make your own discoveries. There are a number of attractions of offer in the valley and your tour leader will be at hand to offer advice on the various options available to you. Alternatively, a half-day walk with views of the Matterhorn can be arranged
Day 8: Zermatt
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Our trip ends this morning after breakfast in Zermatt. Zermatt is well connected by train to onward destinations in Switzerland, including direct connections to Geneva Airport and Zurich Airport.
Your Trip
What's Included
- The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local tour leader
- 7 nights accommodation in comfortable hotels
- Spectacular and exhilarating day walks in the Chamonix and Zermatt Valley
- Cable car ascend to the Aiguille du Midi
- Visit to the medieval Swiss town of Sion
- Some of the best mountain landscapes and views you'll ever experience
Non-included Meals
Most meals are included on your trip (except for North America trips - please refer to your day-to-day itinerary). However, sometimes we think you'll benefit from getting out and discovering the local cuisine. So when a meal is not included, it's a great opportunity to try something new. For group trips, ask your leader for tips on where to get the best meal, or you might decide to dine out as a group and experience the fun together.
What to know
FitnessThis trip is graded a moderate walk but due to the mountainous and hilly terrain encountered you may find some sections slightly more challenging. Comfortable good quality walking boots are essential for this trip. There are some descents and ascents up and down large hills so having comfortable feet is vital. Walking poles also very useful, particularly for all the ups and downs and for those with knee or lower back issues. To get your walking fitness level up we recommend you undertake some preparation before the trip and get out and do some long walks including some hill walks. Most of the walks are achievable by people with a good level of fitness but the fitter you are the more you will get out of your holiday and you’ll be able to spend more time taking in the view rather than catching your breath. Although its important to have good walking fitness, the walks are taken at a reasonably relaxed pace, there is no need to rush so we suggest you pick a pace that you can keep going at for 45 minute without needing to have a break.
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
France
Visas are currently not required for Australian, New Zealand, US, Canadian or UK/EU passport holders wishing to visit France.
Switzerland
Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, USA and British citizens, do not require a visa to visit Switzerland.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information or Travel Dossier (provided upon booking a trip) provides tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a link to your Travel Dossier which will contain detailed Pre Departure information.
Further Reading
FranceA Year In Provence Peter Mayle
Toujours Provence Peter Mayle
The Olive Farm Carol Drinkwater
Lazy Days Out In the Loire Philippe Barbour
Burgundy: Touring wine country-Hubrecht Duijker
Dordogne Adventures-Eric Line
Five Quarters of the Orange-Joanne Harris
Walks & climbs in the Pyrenees-Kev Reynolds
And God Created the French-Louis-Bernard Robitaille
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
21 September 2012