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Day 1 The official Day 1 route is a hike along the Chamonix valley to the end before climbing out (below a cable car) to the Col de Balme followed by a descent into Trient where there’s a place to camp. My idea was to use the Balcony du Sud path instead which contours along the Chamonix valley on the opposite side to Mont Blanc, about mid-way up the mountain side. It’s a superb path w …

Getting There Easyjet flies direct to Geneva from Manchester so this was the preferred option, don’t be tempted to go via Schipol, it’s a nightmare. Geneva is the gateway airport for Chamonix so there are loads of options for transfers. I got caught out though, I booked a bus for an hour after the flight was due to land so this is what happened: Flight delayed out of Manchester, but …

Total weight (excluding Food, Water and Consumables): 5.884Kg (12lbs 15.9oz) Total weight with 3 days food, gas and 1L water: 9.386Kg (20lbs 11.7oz) I was intending to complete Chamonix to Zermatt high route using a mix of wild camps and camp sites. As I’m getting on a bit, I needed a backpack that was as light as possible without sacrificing comfort, as I would be using my tent for ten nig …

Chamonix to Zermatt is known as the Walker’s Haute Route and is an amazing journey of around 180km across some of the most beautiful passes in Switzerland. I completed the route in 2006 but wanted to experience it again in 2025, nineteen years since my first crossing and at the advanced age of 64. The traditional way to make the crossing is to use mountain huts and valley hotels, but for me …

Cost The cost of the trip depends very much on whether you camp every night or use accommodation, and how much you use campsites and restaurants for meals. The cost of cable cars is also significant, though of course you don’t have to use any of these, though I think the one from Le Chable to Les Ruinettes is well worth it. As it saves a full day, you can offset the cost of the cable car ag …