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Making a two-week journey from Chamonix to Zermatt across the grain of the Pennine Alps, the Walker’s Haute Route counts among the finest treks in Europe. The 180km route crosses 11 passes and gains in excess of 12,000m in height, so it’s a reasonably tough undertaking.

Accommodation includes valley hotels, dortoirs and mountain huts – for full details see Chamonix to Zermatt, the Walker’s Haute Route published by Cicerone.

Day 1: Assuming arrival in Chamonix on Day 1, this short first stage (2–2½hrs) remains in the valley and usually ends at Argentière.

Day 2: Three options exist here: the normal route crosses Col de Balme (2204m) and descends to Trient, the first village in Switzerland (see ssss1) for a 5–5½hr day, but an alternative from Col de Balme takes the trekker round to the unmanned Refuge les Grands (4½hrs), or continues from there to Col de la Forclaz where there’s hotel and dormitory accommodation (6½–7hrs).

Day 3: Another stage with an alternative route, the choice is of either crossing the Fenêtre d’Arpette, or taking the less demanding trail past Alp Bovine. Much will depend on weather conditions; if good, the Fenêtre is the favoured option. Both routes lead to Champex.