A guide to the classic Chamonix to Zermatt trek, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, in the northern slopes of the Pennines Alps, described in 14 stages. In two weeks of mountain travel you will see the greatest collection of 4000 metre peaks in the Alps and visit some of the most spectacular valleys. You will discover delightful villages and remote hamlets, wander flower meadows and forests, skirt exquisite tarns that turn mountains on their heads, and clamber beside glaciers. The way intrudes on lonely stone-filled corries, with marmots along the boulders and ibex on the heights, and provides a surprise around every corner. The route crosses 11 passes, gains more than 12,000 metres in height and is a strong contender for the title of Most Beautiful Walk in Europe. This new edition has been thoroughly updated, and now includes the exciting two-day Europaweg - a true high-level path that carries the Haute Route way above the Mattertal and into Zermatt - a worthy conclusion to a great trek. Reprinted with updates in April 2011.

About the Author

Kev Reynolds, author of this guide, is a freelance writer, photojournalist and lecturer. A prolific compiler of guidebooks, his first title for Cicerone Press (Walks & Climbs in the Pyrenees) appeared in 1978; he has since produced 27 titles for the same publisher, with others being researched at present. A member of the Outdoor Writers' Guild, the Alpine Club and Austrian Alpine Club, his passion for mountains and the countryside remains undiminished after a lifetime's activity, and he regularly travels throughout Britain to share that enthusiasm through his lectures.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Fourth Edition; Introduction; The Walker's Haute Route; Getting There and Back Again; Accommodation; When to Go; Notes for Walkers; Equipment; Languages; Paths and Waymarks; Safety in the Mountains; Flora and Fauna; Recommended Maps; Using the Guide; Information at a Glance; The Route; Stage 1: Chamonix - Argentiere; Stage 2: Argentiere - Col de Balme - Trient; Alt Stage 2: Argentiere - Col de Balme - Les Grands - Col de la Forclaz; Stage 3: Trient - Fenetre d'Arpette - Champex; Alt Stage 3: Trient - Col de la Forclaz - Alp Bovine - Champex; Stage 4: Champex - Sembrancher - Le Chable; Stage 5: Le Chable - Clambin - Cabane du Mont Fort; Stage 6: Cabane du Mont Fort - Col Termin - Col de Louvie - Col de Prafleuri - Cabane de Prafleuri; Alt Stage 6: Cabane du Mont Fort - Col de la Chaux - Col de Louvie - Col de Prafleuri - Cabane de Prafleuri; Stage 7: Cabane de Prafleuri - Col des Roux - Col de Riedmatten - Arolla; Alt Stage 7: Cabane de Prafleuri - Col des Roux - Cabane des Dix - Arolla; Stage 8: Arolla - Lac Bleu - Les Hauderes - La Sage; Stage 9: La Sage - Col du Tsate - Cabane de Moiry; Alt Stage 9: La Sage - Col de Torrent - Barrage de Moiry/Grimentz; Stage 10: Cabane de Moiry - Col de Sorebois - Zinal; Alt Stage 10: Barrage de Moiry - Col de Sorebois - Zinal; Stage 11: Zinal - Forcletta - Gruben; Alt Stage 11: Zinal - Hotel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola; Alt Stage 11a: Hotel Weisshorn/Cabane Bella Tola - Meidpass - Gruben; Stage 12: Gruben - Augstbordpass - St Niklaus; Stage 12a: St Niklaus - Gasenried; Alt Stage 13: St Niklaus - Tasch - Zermatt; Stage 13: Gasenried - Europa Hut; Stage 14: Europa Hut - Taschalp - Zermatt; Appendices; Appendix A: Walks from Zermatt; Appendix B: Climbing from Zermatt; Appendix C: Useful Addresses; Appendix D: Bibliography; Appendix E: Glossary 229; Route Summary 232