Mountain Adventure Holidays
This is one of the world’s great multi-day treks, linking the famous mountaineering capitals of Chamonix Valley, France and Zermatt, Switzerland. Hike over stunning high passes in the footsteps of smugglers, pilgrims, armies and traders. Enjoy the fresh alpine air and stunning views as you create your own alpine adventure in the land of the giants!
Although demanding at times the route provides a non-technical trek and is suitable for those who would like to experience the very best walking in the Alps. After over 150km (94 miles) and several mountain passes at almost 3000 metres (9840ft) of altitude our walk ends in the famous and historic town of Zermatt, Switzerland, beneath the iconic Matterhorn.
Your guide will meet you at our hotel in Chamonix Valley, France, at approximately 1800 hrs. Lying beneath the stunning north face of Mont Blanc, the views are beautiful from the start! Your guide will give a briefing about the days ahead, and will answer any questions about clothing and gear.
We begin our epic journey by easing into our trip with a short journey on the historic Mont Blanc Express train, which for over a century has carried mountaineers along the valley to the start of their routes. We alight at the hamlet of Montroc and begin our climb through the larch woodlands before gaining the flank of the Aiguillette des Posettes. The balcony trail that leads to our first Col offers spectacular views of the glacier at Le Tour, and your cameras will be busy. Many trips then head for the Col de Balme, but we choose to go our own special way round to Les Tseppes, which in our view offers the best views into Switzerland and the Trient glacier. We complete our day with a short climb to reach the Col de la Forclaz where we spend the night.
Ascent: 1200m (3936ft) Descent: 1100m (3608ft) Distance: 13.5km (8.5 miles) Duration: 6h00-7h00
Today we have the option of taking the challenging route through the Fenêtre d'Arpette, a jagged notch on the ridge above Champex, or the spectacular Bovine route. Either one is to be savoured, and each offers something unique. The trail to the Arpette will only be taken if the weather is good and the trail in a good state of repair. Otherwise, we will take the Bovine trail from the Col de la Forclaz which climbs through the larch forests with spectacular views down to the Rhone Valley. This route has the added benefit of a lunch stop at the Alpage de Bovine and a wonderful chance to enjoy the home cooking of Nathalie and her family. They spend the summer months on the mountain tending to the walkers and to their herd of 'fighting cows' - the Race d'Herens. It is by no means a 'second best' option! We spend the night by the lovely lakeside mountain village of Champex.
Ascent: 1410m (4624ft) Descent: 1200m (3936ft) Distance: 18km (11.3 miles) Duration: 6h00-8h00
NB: If the Bovine route is taken: Ascent: 500m (1640ft) Descent: 660m (2164ft)
We have an easy start this morning as we leave the picturesque lakeside village of Champex to meander down through summer meadows into the Val des Bagnes. We usually pass herds of cows, apple and cherry trees, and vegetable gardens; true countryside bliss. We then take the valley trail through the village of Sembrancher, and then to the village of Le Chable where we catch the Ruinettes cable car via the famous Swiss ski village of Verbier, to reach a spectacular view point at 2200m (7216ft). After soaking up the view, which on a warm day includes the delights of paragliders using this as their take-off point, we continue on our hike. The trail trends around the hillside following an old Swiss 'bisse' or irrigation channel. Never losing or gaining too much height, our route offers breath taking views across to the Mont Blanc Massif and to the Grand Combin, bringing us to the Cabane du Mont Fort at 2457m (8058ft), our first of two nights in the high mountains. The hut has a great terrace where you can enjoy the sun setting on the mountains, and believe us it can be spectacular!
Ascent: 600m (1968ft) Descent: 1200m (3936ft) Distance: 15km (9.4 miles) Duration: 5h00-6h00
NB: No access to luggage.
We have an early start today to give us plenty of time on what is one of the most spectacular days of the trek, traversing three high cols with dramatic views throughout. At the start, the path wanders in spectacular fashion beneath the cliffs, with views of the Grand Combin and Mont Fort. We then reach the first of our three passes, the Col Termin which sits at 2648m (8685ft). There are often male ibex to be found 'hanging out' on this high Col surveying their territory. A dramatic path then takes us across the mountainside to the rocky and barren Col de Louvie at 2921m (9580ft) which offers a great place for lunch where we can check out our route across the wild terrain ahead. A steep and rocky descent then follows down to the edge of the Grand Desert Glacier. The glacier has long since gone, but the terrain continues to feel wild and remote. Passing several small turquoise glacial lakes we then climb once more to reach the last of our three passes at the Col de Prafleuri at 2987m (9797ft). The final part to our day is to descend down to the Cabane de Prafleuri for our second night in the mountains. On the way down we walk near a rare patch of the the iconic Edelweiss flower.
Ascent: 1377m (4516ft) Descent: 1170m (3837ft) Distance: 16.7km (10.4 miles) Duration: 8h00-9h00
NB: No access to luggage.
A short climb greets us today as we quickly gain the Col de Roux, overlooking the blue green waters of the Lac de Dix. Early morning on this col with the views to the glacier and the chance to see ibex is a joy. The early morning light on the mountains brings the detail into sharp relief and some wonderful photos are earned from this climb. A gentle descent then takes us to the lake shore which we follow to its end, with views of Mont Blanc de Cheilon and the Pigne D'Arolla. Marmots are to be found lying in the sun along the whole length of the lake. At this time of year they are eating as much as they can to store fat before the winter hibernation begins. We make a steep ascent to the Col de Riedmatten or the Pas de Chevre and its brand new ladders, where there are more spectacular views of the Glacier de Dix. The Pas de Chevre ladders were replaced in 2015 and now offer a much more secure and easy ascent to the Col. It is then all descent to the gorgeous alpine village of Arolla where we check-in to our hotel and we can sit on the terrace and enjoy a welcome afternoon drink. Tonight you are re-united with your luggage.
Ascent: 1100m (3608ft) Descent: 1360m (4460ft) Distance: 22km (13.8 miles) Duration: 8h00-9h00
We are now approaching the half-way point of the trek and today is something of an easier day for which we are usually glad. We being from the centre of Arolla taking a trail through the houses and then into the larch woods. We spend the morning hiking across the mountainside to Lac Bleu, a favourite local beauty spot, which is coloured a vivid blue by the combined effects of algae and glacial clays. At Lac Bleu it is not unknown for some of our guests to go for a swim, much to the bemusement of the local cow herds who also have been known to take a dip in the lake in hot weather. From Lac Bleu it is a long easy descent through a beautiful gorge to the village of Les Haudères. A final short climb completes this stage to the small farming hamlet of La Sage. La Sage is really beautiful with ancient chalets and farms and traditional architecture. A quintessential Swiss alpine village. Our hotel is perched on the mountainside with wonderful views to the mountains beyond.
Ascent: 380m (1246ft) Descent: 752m (2466ft) Distance: 12km (7.5 miles) Duration: 5h30-6h30
After a great breakfast at our lovely hotel we being our day which will involve crossing two high cols. Wandering past ancient wooden chalets and farms we work our way towards our first pass at the Col de Torrent which sits at 2912m (9551ft). It is a long climb but the walking is easy and the zig-zags taken by the path mean we gain ground quickly. We pass through the summer meadows where again we usually have large herds of 'fighting cows'. After a break on the Col, we then descend to the turquoise waters of the Lac de Moiry. The water is an amazing colour which apparently is due to the amount of glacial 'rock flour' in the lake. There is a cafe at the dam, and we often stop here for our picnic lunch. Ahead we can see some of the giant peaks of the Pennine Alps, including the infamous Dent Blanche, or 'White Tooth'. Then it's onwards and upwards to the imposing Col de Sorebois, a climb which is shorter but steeper than the ascent to the Col de Torrent, but presents no real difficulty. From here, we have spectacular views of the famous peaks of the Weisshorn, Dent Blanche and Zinal Rothorn. There is the optional extra of taking a cablecar at the end of the day and saving 800m (2624ft) of descent. If you have tired legs it will seem a bargain!
Ascent: 1790m (5871ft) Descent: 1781m (5841ft) Distance: 20.5km (12.8 miles) Duration: 8h00-9h00
NB: If you take the cable car then the descent will be 901m (2955ft)
This is a really lovely walk today through larch forests and across the mountain side with Nutcracker birds calling in the trees, and the possibility of seeing chamois. The Nutcrackers collect as many as 30,000 pine nuts in a season! We do only have one Col to cross today, and the hiking is very pleasant and traverses the mountain side until we reach a path junction where we turn off to being the climb in earnest to the Col de la Forcletta which sits at 2874m (9426ft). We take in the views from the Col, and it is easy to see where we will be heading tomorrow. Our descent gives very fine views of the glaciers and peaks of the Turtmann valley, and as we walk through the meadows we have another chance to spot the elusive Edelweiss by the path. Today we leave the French speaking part of Switzerland and enter the German speaking region. Eventually, we descend through forests of Arolla Pines which are unique to this part of the world, instead of having two 'needles' in a cluster they have five 'needles' which apparently makes them rather different and very much loved by the Nutcracker birds. Our overnight is in the remote hamlet of Gruben in an historic hotel used for many generations by mountaineers.
Ascent: 1213m (3978ft) Descent: 1063m (3486ft) Distance: 17km (10.5 miles) Duration: 7h00-8h00
Another superb walk as we complete our high level trek today. We start out through open woodland, then high pastures and rocky upland wilderness. Early morning we pass several farmers huts and the 'guys' are often to be found enjoying a local apertif even at this time of day. We soon find the cattle which they are herding, and usually wander through several herds enjoying the lush grazing in this high valley. Our final pass is the Augstbordpass at 2894m (9492ft), beyond which we descend steeply into a bowl and take a rocky trail across the mountainside. This is alpine walking at its best with a trail which at times seems to cling to the mountain, but don't worry it's a good path! Eventually we descend to the pretty hamlet of Jungu and on again into the Mattertal and the town of St. Niklaus. We will not hold it against you if you opt to take the 'characterful' cable car down from Jungu and save your knees by eliminating the final 878 metres (2879ft) of descent. Our hotel has a terrace where we can gather before dinner and enjoy a drink to celebrate making it into the Mattertal (Matter Valley) home of the mighty Matterhorn! However, the big 'M' stays well hidden until the following day when we arrive in Zermatt.
Ascent: 1070m (3509ft) Descent: 1765m (5789ft) Distance: 16km (10 miles)
NB: If you opt to take the cable car the descent is 887m (2909ft)
Today is the day we reach the iconic alpine town of Zermatt and therefore views of the mighty Matterhorn. Of all the mountains in the world, the Matterhorn is for many THE iconic mountain. We begin with a short transfer up to the village of Randa where we take a trail heading steeply up the mountainside. We make our way up through the larch forests, passing ancient houses and farms to gain the high level balcony trail known as the 'Europaweg'. This trail takes us to the impressive 'Charles Kuonen Suspension-Bridge'. At almost 500m (1640ft) long this remarkable feat of engineering was opened to the public in 2017 and is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world! In the past this route was often closed to hikers due to rock fall, however, the bridge has allowed the route to be re-opened by ensuring hikers are kept well away from any rockfall risk. After the bridge our trail along the famous 'Europaweg' becomes steadily more spectacular with a footpath that clings to the mountainside. It is a good trail, but there is sometimes a feeling of exposure. It is well worth the effort as eventually the path leads us to stunning views of the Matterhorn. We eventually arrive high above the town and finish our day descending through the forests. If we have poor weather then our alternative route will be to walk to Zermatt along the valley floor which is on an easy and pleasant trail.
Ascent: 1400m (4592ft) Descent: 1000m (3280ft) Distance: 18km (11.3 miles) Duration: 8h00-9h00
NB: Valley route; Ascent 450m (1476ft) Descent 0m (0ft) Distance: 13km (8 miles) Duration: 4h00-5h00
This morning is your departure day, unless you have chosen to request extra nights to further enjoy Zermatt.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. In many cases we have known the management for years, and it’s like visiting friends. Our suggested accommodation, listed below, is subject to availability at the time of booking. We have given details of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable we will book alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender.
However, on many of our trips single rooms are available on request for a supplementary fee. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure a single room as these are always limited in number. Please contact us for details.
During this trip you will spend nine nights in comfortable hotels, with good facilities; showers, restaurant, bar etc. There are also two nights in mountain huts, where the accommodation is on a non-segregated, dormitory style basis. This type of shared accommodation is all part of an alpine mountain experience. Read our Blog on what it is like to stay in a mountain hut.
In the Cabane de Louvie it may be possible to secure a double room but this requires very early booking, and will incur a supplement. Due to the nature of the accommodation on this trip; small hotels, often in tiny villages and remote mountain huts, single rooms are not readily available, but do ask and we can advise on availability at the time of booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility.
The 4**** Alpina is a modern hotel situated right beside the old town of Chamonix and on the River Arve. It is only a few metres from the hotel to the pedestrian zone of the town's Main Street. The hotel has 129 rooms, and 9 suites, with a standard room coming with a bathroom and hair dryer, as well as free Wifi, Nespresso machine, tea/coffee making facilities, bathrobes and slippers.
The hotel's Spa is open to its residents as well as outside guests. Access must be booked in advance and a one hour time slot will be allotted to you. The spa is reserved for those who are over 16 years old.
The Auberge du Mont Blanc, at Trient, has become a welcome rest point for many people, whether they be undertaking the Tour du Mont Blanc circuit or the Haute Route. It provides comfortable dorm style accommodation and hearty traditional meals.
The 3* Hôtel du Glacier is a family run hotel that dates back over 100 years. It is in the centre of the quintessential Swiss village of Champex, and nearby a glacial lake with jade green water. For four generations, the Biselx Family has welcomed guests who have a love of Swiss hotel tradition. The hotel offers has comfortable and spacious rooms, a fabulous evening menu and a great buffet breakfast.
The Cabane de Mont Fort is a great venue for the night, offering stunning views across to the Grand Combin, and beyond. Some wonderful sunsets to be had! The Cabane, which sits at 2457m (8058ft) is run by Marc who's father and mother have been managed this hut since 1983. The food is tasty, and it has hot showers, and decent toilets. The accommodation is normally in small dormitories and where possible we get rooms just for our group.
Perched high in the mountains beside a glacial lake this is without doubt a wonderful place to spend the night. The climb to the hut is steep but then it opens into a high valley and we are greeted by the Cabane de Louvie. The hut, which is relatively new, is run by Claudia, her staff, and the true boss her cat 'Chips'. We will be offered a good meal, a hot shower, and a comfortable place to sleep.
As with all the huts on our trips this will be in dormitory accommodation. There are two private bedrooms available and if you book very early and are willing to pay a supplement it may be that we can secure one of these rooms for two people. In the dorms you will stay in one of the four themed dormitories with your sleeping place marked by the names of writers, musicians, painters, and philosophers.
Perched at 2662m (8731ft) on the stage between Verbier and Arolla, we normally arrive at the Cabane de Prafleuri having wandered past Edelweiss and ibex! The hut is run by Estelle and Antoine, and often they will also have staff from around the world all keen to spend a summer working in a high mountain hut. We aim to secure a small dormitory for our own group. Breakfasts are good, and exceptionally for a 'hut' they even serve crepes! The hut does have showers and toilets however with the increasing effects of global warming has meant that there isn't enough water for showers anymore at this hut. It is however possible for fresh air wash with glacial water if needed.
The Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus is an historic hotel situated on the mountainside above the quaint Swiss village of Arolla. It opened in 1896, and was the vision of Honorine and her husband Jean-Baptiste Gaspoz. Their vision for the hotels was for an establishment that held onto the family feel and offered a sanctuary for travellers. Today the hotel has 61 rooms in keeping with the architecture of the area.
When the hotel opened to its first guests in 1896, visitors included explorers, mountaineers, and those interested in the local flora and fauna, as well as skiers and sports enthusiasts. That tradition has continued since then. Indeed, the hotel is credited with introducing tourism to the Evolène Valley in the 1903's, and in the 1960's two more storeys were added and central heating was installed enticing tourists to the area to indulge in winter sports.
The family run Hotel de la Sage is one of the most beautiful places to stay on this trip. It is very traditional in terms of style, and is situated on the mountain with magnificent views across the valley. It is run by Joris and Laetitia who since taking over the hotel a few years ago have maintained its style and standards. The bedrooms are mostly en suite, and there is a lovely lounge and reading room.
We find the food at the Hotel de la Sage to be extremely good, and breakfast will feature home-made jams and breads. There is a gorgeous sun terrace where you can watch the sunset over the mountains.
The hotel was built in 1893 and is one of the oldest hotels in the small alpine town of Zinal. The hotel has a cosy bar area, and a sun terrace. Dinner will often feature local dishes, and breakfast is a substantial buffet. The rooms all have en suite facilities.
The Hotel Schwarzhorn is an interesting one! It is situated in a remote valley which literally empties of inhabitants in the winter months. For many generations the hotel has welcomed climbers and mountaineers heading to the snowy peaks at the end of the Turtmann Valley. The building itself appears somewhat austere, but inside there is a warm welcome.
The rooms mostly have a wash-basin, but showers and toilets are shared on the same floor. There are also dormitories on the upper floors. We always aim to book bedrooms but this relies on early booking, and is not always possible. If you wish to check if your booking will ensure bedrooms then do contact us.
The Heimat Lodge, sits in the centre of St Niklaus. This recently renovated hotel provides a clean and modern interior.
Zermatt is a bustling mountain town and our hotel is nicely situated in a quiet part of the town, while still allowing easy access to the centre and its shops and restaurants. The Hotel Jagerhof is a lovely hotel with comfortable en suite bedrooms, and a lounge/bar area for relaxing. If the Jagerhof is not available then we usually stay at the Hotel Alpenrose.
With regard to the Hotel Jagerhof, the dinner is usually very good at this hotel, with excellent local dishes, and breakfast is also to be savoured. On your departure the hotel can arrange to drive your luggage to the railway station to save you carrying it in what is a 'car free' town. There is also a large garden with seating to enjoy the sun.
The Hotel Alpenrose is also very comfortable, and again a few minutes walk to the centre giving easy access to the shops without the night time noise of the main street. The Alpenrose has great views to the mighty Matterhorn!
Arrival
Chamonix, France is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
If travelling by train we recommend booking through RailEurope or Trainline. For coach travel we recommend using Flixbus. For more information on travelling by public transport, please see our travel blog.
If travelling by plane, Geneva is the closest international airport, only 1h15 by road which makes shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange.
A range of travel options to reach the Chamonix valley can be found on the Chamonix Tourist Office website.
Reaching Chamonix from Geneva airport is straightforward with many transfer companies operating this route throughout the day. Either consider a scheduled bus which will drop you at Chamonix Sud Bus Station, such as easybus.com, or use a private transfer company such as Haute Transfer, or Mountain Drop-Offs which will drop you at your accommodation. If booking with Mountain Drop-Offs you receive a small discount on the route by using our company code of TAT01. This code only applies to transfers in ’normal’ working hours. It does not apply to early morning, or late evening transfers.
Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
Departure
With the trip finishing in Zermatt, you can easily take a train or coach back to any major European city to continue your holiday, or return home if living in Europe or the UK. You can use RailEurope or Trainline for information on train travel, and Flixbus for coach travel.
The most convenient way of returning from Zermatt to Geneva airport is by train. To make a booking with Swiss Federal Railways click here. There is a railway station in Geneva Airport and there are several connections throughout the day. Please note that 1/2 price fares are only available to those with the appropriate 1/2 price reduction card. If you have heavy luggage then we would advise you to arrange for your hotel in Zermatt to transfer your luggage to the railway station in Zermatt on your departure day. Please note this cost is not included in your trip fee.
For transfer Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. If you have any questions with regards to what to bring, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Documentation
Personal First Aid
Items for the nights in mountain huts/refuges
Additional Items
Your luggage will be moved each day by a taxi driver. The legal maximum weight limit is 15kg (33lbs) per person. If your luggage exceeds this limit it will not be collected. You can take only ONE luggage bag on the trip. Not all hotels have 'lifts' and you must be able to carry your luggage upstairs.
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and will carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. The single room supplement for this trip is £940.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation for the countries that they work in.
Note your guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
Your hiking guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support on all but two of the nights, which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for guidance on the size of rucksack required. On the nights you are in the mountain huts you will need to carry just a few extra items in your rucksack.
As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. This is a legal requirement and your bag will not be collected if it exceeds this weight limit. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is generally a good idea.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you will find that those listed below cover the route:
Carte Nationale de la Suisse 5003: Mont Blanc Grand Combin 1:50,000
Carte Nationale de la Suisse 5006: Matterhorn Mischabel 1:50,000
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wed 23 Jul - Sun 03 Aug Code: WHR1 |
Price: £3375 | Spaces available | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 08 Aug - Mon 17 Aug Code: WHR1 |
Price: £3510 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £3375 |
| Holiday Type | Walking |
| Duration | 12 Days |
| Group Size | 4-10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2987m (9797ft) |
| Countries Visited | France, Switzerland |
| Meet In | Chamonix Valley, France |
