Holiday Notes 2018

Walker’s East (Guided)

Please email us at [email protected] to chat about this holiday. You’ll find all the latest information at www.alpineexploratory.com/holidays/walkers-haute-route-east-guided.html.

during the summer, but in colder weather their not included in the holiday price - we leave it to altitude means rain can fall as snow. you to make the arrangements that suit you best. Geneva and Zurich are the most Your first stage to La Sage is more gentle, convenient airports with several transfer walking through the verdant, pastoral Swiss options available. Full information on flight and Val d’Herens. transfer options will be sent to you on booking.

Our approach Itinerary

Your route Arrival day: Arrive in Arolla This guided trek gives a complete journey on Evening arrival in Arolla. The group dines foot from Arolla to . We take one day together in this tiny mountain resort. Hotel in over the last section into Zermatt, not taking the Arolla

A traverse path near Jungen whole Europaweg though depending on path conditions we might sample some of it. No Stage 1: Arolla to La Sage transport is needed. (On some days there is a (10.5km with 260m ascent) About these Holiday Notes choice of routes and the possibility of a cable This is an easy valley walk. Begin with a stroll car, so by sticking to the group you might skip down to the attractive village of Les Haudères These Holiday Notes help you decide whether some sections.) Standardly our trip has 6 in Val d’Herens; finish with a short walk up to this holiday is right for you. Before your trip we stages. Where the trail splits we try to follow the the hamlet of La Sage. Hotel in La Sage send you final detailed information. higher and more scenic alternatives, subject to trail conditions. These change year-to-year on Stage 2: La Sage to Cabane de Moiry Details the Haute Route, more than any other of our (8.5km with 1680m ascent) routes. This is a stage of 3 sections. First climb to Col Start Arolla du Tsaté, then drop to the foot of Glacier de Finish Zermatt Our guided trips stay at the Cabane de Moiry Moiry and lastly climb again beside the glacier Regions Swiss but if path gradings are changed by the Swiss to Cabane de Moiry, perhaps the best-sited of Countries authorities – as they can be from time to time – all our Haute Route huts. Hut Length 7 walking days and 8 nights then a hotel in Grimentz will be the revised Total distance 95km or 60 miles plan. Paths in Switzerland are subject to such Stage 3: Cabane de Moiry to Zinal Typical day 14km (9 miles), 1010m ascent changes in nominal grade; we don't expect (12.5km with 530m ascent, 1680m descent) Highest altitude 2,916m any, but if they occur then we will re-route the A traverse and a relatively short climb lead to Grade Black4 trek to cause as little disruption as possible Col de Sorebois. Then a descent, steep at the Group size 4 to 8 people plus leader such that your IML can lead your group within end, brings you to Zinal. Zinal is an interesting Swiss law. little place to spend a night and has good Introduction options for eating out. Hotel in Zinal Guided walks The Walker’s Haute Route is one of the finest, Each day your leader guides the group along Stage 4: Zinal to Gruben if not the finest, trek of its type in Europe. Pick the stage. On some days there is a choice of (15km with 1250m ascent) up the trail in Arolla and trek to Zermatt in a route; which route we take depends on what A traversing path gains height steadily from week of superb Alpine walking. people prefer and on the local conditions. Zinal with long views back to the head of the valley. Higher up, reach the Forcletta pass and This is the Walker’s Haute Route as opposed Getting there and back enter the German-speaking part of the Valais. to the Classic Haute Route, which takes to the Your holiday starts in Arolla and ends in Gruben is a small village in the quiet high mountains and glaciers and is often made Zermatt. Travel to Arolla and from Zermatt is Turtmanntal valley. Auberge in Gruben on skis. Our route is a trek, with no technical ground.

Zermatt as a trek destination is just right: lively, pleasant and thoroughly in tune with its surrounding mountains. If you have the time, ask us to book you an extra day or two at the end of your trip, to enjoy being in Zermatt. Local walks are excellent. Arolla by contrast is very small, but with a high-mountain atmosphere and its own charm.

The trek is a challenging one. The route crosses a succession of passes at nearly 3,000m, guaranteeing stiff climbs most mornings. The high passes are steep and rocky in places. Typically they are free of snow

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Walker’s Haute Route East (Guided)

Stage 5: Gruben to St Niklaus Exploratory's routecards and a map, both of This all means that it is sensible to come (13km with 1080m ascent) which your leader can give to you. equipped and expecting all the types of The Augstbordpass at 2,893m is the last pass weather that might be experienced in a typical before the valley of Zermatt is reached. The Your own routes summer in the UK: from heavy rain storms with ascent should feel very manageable, being While your guided walks and the optional a chill in the air, to hot sunshine. well-angled and full of interest. Drop to Jungen routecards make up the walking for the trip, you above the Mattertal valley and with views into are of course free to walk wherever you Equipment its upper reaches but not yet to Zermatt or the choose, taking side trips or going by a different themselves. A last descent in route of your own choice. Please note that if You will need the usual equipment for woods brings us to St Niklaus, where we catch you follow your own route you will have left the mountain walking in the . Especially the local bus up the hill to Grächen, a delightful holiday for the duration. important are good walking boots, waterproofs village on a sunny shelf. Hotel in Grächen and sun protection. For the huts you will need Food a sheet liner. Stage 6: Grächen to Zermatt (21km with 550m ascent) Meals included are all breakfasts and 3 We will send you an equipment list on booking. With time available to complete the link from St evening meals (at La Sage, at Gruben and at Please also see the Equipment page of our Niklaus to Grächen if wanted, we set off for the the hut). website for more information. last stage by taking a picturesque wooded mid- height route to Mattsand, and thereafter For lunches there is lots of opportunity to stock Local expenses following the valley to Randa and Zermatt. We up on ingredients along the route. You will might be able to offer parts of the Europaweg, sometimes find huts and cafés during the the high-level trail into Zermatt, depending on Local expenses include food and drink other walking, useful for lunch stops. Your than those meals that are included, plus any path conditions. Arriving in Zermatt is a special routecards give information about food shops experience with the Matterhorn high above. local transport, attractions and extras. and refreshment stops along the route. Hotel in Zermatt Hazards For eating out on those nights where dinner is Departure day: Depart from Zermatt not includes, there are good options in the Morning departure from Zermatt village. Health Switzerland does not require tourists to take Our usual schedule of accommodation might any vaccinations. However, it is recommended Insurance not be available, especially if there is not much to keep tetanus vaccines up to date. time between booking and your trip starting. We will book accommodation as closely as Clients must have insurance to cover Safety possible to this itinerary and present you a themselves for helicopter search & rescue, This is adventure travel! This holiday takes you schedule for you to check before we proceed. medical expenses and repatriation. We to some wild and remote areas, in particular recommend, but it is not compulsory, that you some areas of upland mountains. The weather also have cover for personal liability, Accommodation can also be a hazard in itself. During any cancellation and your baggage and money. walking, whether following a guided walk or a You might find that your annual multi-trip travel Our standard schedule of accommodation routecard or making your own route, you are insurance covers these items already. We will responsible for your own actions and safety consists of 1 night in a 4-star hotel, 2 nights in send you details of suitable insurance policies 3-star hotels, 3 nights in auberges or simple and you should join the trip with suitable skills, on booking. experience and equipment. hotels, and 1 night in mountain huts.

Passports and visas The huts are comfortable and welcoming. Hut Further information accommodation is in dormitories, either on Alpine-style communal sleeping platforms or in Passport holders of the US, Canada, Australia, Please email us with any questions at bunk beds. In the hotels and auberges we book New Zealand and Singapore do not need a [email protected]. ensuite accommodation except where it is not visa to enter Switzerland. available, for example in older buildings or Disclaimer Weather more remote locations. Your info pack contains full details of your accommodation including This information is given in good faith and is contact details and directions. The weather in the Swiss Valais from July to believed to be correct at the time of issue. mid-September is generally highly suitable for Alpine Exploratory cannot be liable for any loss The walking Alpine walking. or injury incurred.

Terrain While snowfall is possible on higher ground all Haute Route terrain comprises wide tracks year round, it is unlikely in July and August. through forests, the odd country lane, zig- During cold spells in summer, rain can fall as zagging hillside paths and steep, rocky snow on the Haute Route’s higher passes. mountain paths. In some places the paths are Additionally, patches of snow left over from particularly steep and loose, for example on the Winter and Spring might linger into July, but final approaches to cols. should not pose problems.

The Haute Route has no via ferrata or climbing July and August are commonly the hottest sections and is a trek throughout, albeit a tough months but with greater amounts of rain and one. On the optional Europaweg into Zermatt, greater risk of afternoon thunder storms; the some loose and rocky corries need extra care. first half of September can be stable, with the chance of some beautifully clear days. Self-guided days On this guided holiday there is the option each Thunderstorms are a particular danger in day for participants to walk by themselves summer, occurring most often in the instead of joining the group's walk, either on afternoons. their own route or following one of Alpine

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