Swiss Alps
The Haute Route at the Pigne d'Arolla 4 days
Technical lev. : 4 / 5
FAIRLY EASY MOUNTAINEERING:
You should be comfortable walking in the mountains and on varied terrain. Easy climbing. If you have already done a glacier trek, it is better, but not compulsory, if you have a good physical and mental condition. Learning the techniques of progression at altitude for fairly easy routes and easy rescue techniques.
Physical lev. : 4 / 5
SPORTY & TRAINED PEOPLE:
Effort corresponding to approximately 1200 - 1700m of ascent per day.
You like and practice endurance sports at a good level.
Head off for 4 days of accessible alpine climbing in Arolla, in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Between glaciers and panoramic ridges, enjoy an unforgettable adventure with the guidance of experienced guides. Ideal for a safe introduction, with accommodation in authentic mountain huts. Book your Alpine adventure now!
Dates & Prices
Discount if booked 4 months before departure
Trip
Discover the Haute Route 4 days in Arolla, an accessible alpine mountaineering adventure that immerses you in the heart of the majestic peaks of the Swiss Alps. This unique circuit, designed for high mountain enthusiasts in search of thrills without excessive difficulty, takes you through spectacular landscapes, between sparkling glaciers and panoramic ridges. With the guidance of experienced guides, you will safely progress along varied itineraries, with accommodation in authentic mountain huts for a total immersion at altitude. An unforgettable experience, combining the challenge of surpassing oneself and a sense of wonder, ideal for mountain enthusiasts who want to try their hand at mountaineering in a magnificent setting. Book now and experience the alpine adventure with complete peace of mind!
Program
Elevation gain: + 1050 m
Duration: approx. 5 to 6 hours
Meet the guide directly in Arolla at 7:30 am. The guide will brief you for the trip and check your equipment.
Today we have a spectacular alpine hike between Arolla and the Cabane des Vignettes, an iconic route in the Swiss Alps. This ascent, accessible to hikers accustomed to the high mountains, takes you through magnificent landscapes, between moraines, glaciers and rocky ridges. The well-marked but demanding trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, while the pure air and wild atmosphere reinforce the feeling of total escape.
At the top, perched at an altitude of 3,160 metres, the Cabane des Vignettes welcomes you in an authentic and warm setting. A veritable balcony over the mountains, it offers a breathtaking view of the glaciers and surrounding peaks. After your exertions, enjoy a moment of relaxation and a comforting meal.
Elevation gain: + 700 m / - 1400 m
Duration: approx. 6 to 7 hours
Starting from the Cabane des Vignettes, the route immediately plunges you into the grandiose world of the high mountains. The route alternates between snowy passages and more technical sections, requiring a good command of hiking at high altitude. Each step brings you a little closer to the wild and unspoilt immensity of the Swiss Valais Alps.
As you progress, the landscape changes with the altitude, revealing breathtaking views of the glaciers and valleys below. Depending on the conditions, the guide may decide to take you to Pigne Arolla (3787 m), which will be a highlight of the day.
We will continue the day to arrive at our next refuge where we will have the opportunity to savour mountain gastronomy in a unique high mountain setting.
Elevation gain: + 1300 / - 900 m
Duration: approximately 6 to 7 hours
The day starts gently before we set off on the Otemma Glacier, a huge expanse of ice that stretches for several kilometres. Progressing on this glacier requires a good command of roped walking and particular attention to crevasses. The approach to the Col Collon becomes steeper and more technical, sometimes requiring the use of crampons and ice axes depending on the conditions.
Once you have crossed the Col Collon, the descent to our refuge is via the Arolla Glacier, on the Italian side. This part of the route offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding peaks, including the Dent d'Hérens and the Grandes Murailles.
Elevation gain: + 400 / - 1150 m
Duration: approx. 5 to 6 hrs
On this last day, we will return to Arolla to finish our loop. The ascent to the Col Collon, which we are already familiar with, is often done in snow or ice, requiring crampons and roping up. The route winds its way between crevasses and seracs before reaching the pass, a key passageway once used by caravans and explorers connecting the Swiss and Italian valleys.
The descent from the Col Collon to Arolla is via the Otemma Glacier, a vast glacier with a gentle slope that allows for relatively smooth progress, but which requires vigilance due to its crevasses and its isolation. As you gradually lose altitude, you leave the glacial world to reach more rocky moraines, then well-marked alpine paths.
Materiel
If you have any doubts or simply need more information about the equipment you should take with you on your climb, you can take a look at our blog page ‘What equipment do I need for mountaineering?’
IMPORTANT: if a person is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow them to take part in the climb. We ask you to carefully read the equipment list provided in the PDF programme of the climb and to call us if in doubt.
Level
SPORTY & TRAINED PEOPLE:
Effort corresponding to approximately 1200 - 1700m of ascent per day.
You like and practice endurance sports at a good level.
FAIRLY EASY MOUNTAINEERING:
You should be comfortable walking in the mountains and on varied terrain. Easy climbing. If you have already done a glacier trek, it is better, but not compulsory, if you have a good physical and mental condition. Learning the techniques of progression at altitude for fairly easy routes and easy rescue techniques.
Useful info
Meeting point on the first day at 7.30 a.m. in Arolla, the last inhabited hamlet at the foot of Monte Rosa, at the departure point of the Gabiet cable car.
End of the Mountaineering CourseThe group will disband on the fourth day in the afternoon between 3 and 4 pm in Arolla (Valais, Switzerland).
Cancellation and repatriation insurance is compulsory, as is insurance covering mountain search and rescue (minimum guarantee of 10,000 Euros).
Here is the insurance that Esprit Montagne offers: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com.
GuidanceFrench-speaking IFMGA mountain guide from our team.
Half board at the refuge included
You are responsible for your own lunches.
Remember to bring food that you like to eat before you set off (cereal bars, dried fruit, chocolate, etc.).
The following boots are recommended for mountaineering: Scarpa Triolet GTX
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc (CHF).
We strongly advise you to bring cash!
When you register online, you can choose whether or not you want to car-share to get to the starting point of your course. After you have made your booking, when you log back into your personal Esprit Montagne account, a section dedicated to car-sharing will be available. You will find the contact details of the participants in your course who are interested in car-sharing, enabling you to get in touch with them directly.
. Guidance from our IFMGA Mountain Guide and his expenses for accommodation and meals.
. Half-board at the refuge (dinner and breakfast).
. The Staffal cable car to Punta Indren.
. Equipment for the group (ropes, lanyards, carabiners)
. Insurance covering cancellation/interruption of stay/loss of luggage and emergency assistance.
.Picnics and snacks for each day
. Drinks and personal expenses.
. Tips.
. Anything not mentioned in the section ‘The price inc
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The Haute Route is a legendary hiking trail that crosses the heart of the Alps from Chamonix (France) to Zermatt (Switzerland). It can be completed in summer by mountaineering or in winter by ski touring, following a route that takes several days and passes over high mountain passes and glaciers. Created in the 19th century by British mountaineers, this crossing is now a reference for high mountain enthusiasts. It follows a spectacular route passing by emblematic peaks such as the Grand Combin, the Pigne d'Arolla and the Mont Blanc de Cheilon, offering impressive panoramas of the most beautiful Alpine peaks, including the Matterhorn and the Dent Blanche.
In the summer version, the Haute Route alternates between glacier hiking and mountaineering passages, requiring the use of crampons and ice axes to progress safely over technical terrain. In winter, it becomes a flagship ski touring route, where skiers link ascents and descents through the wild and snow-covered valleys of the Swiss and French Alps. Whatever the season, this crossing requires excellent physical condition, skills in orientation and glacier progression, as well as a good ability to adapt to weather conditions. Reserved for experienced mountaineers or hikers with guidance, the Haute Route is an unforgettable alpine adventure, combining effort, surpassing oneself and marvelling at the grandeur of the alpine landscapes.
The Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route in summer is a demanding Alpine crossing that combines glacier hiking and mountaineering, requiring good physical condition and technical skills in the high mountains. Unlike the winter ski touring version, the route is longer and requires slower progress on crevassed glaciers, where roping up and the use of crampons and ice axes are often essential. Some stages include technical passages, such as rocky ridges or steep passes, sometimes requiring belaying manoeuvres. In addition, the weather at high altitude can be changeable, with the risk of storms, fog and rockfalls in certain exposed areas.
Physically, this crossing is a major challenge, with several days of intense walking and stages often exceeding 1,000 metres of elevation gain. The altitude, ranging from 2,500 to 3,700 metres, can increase fatigue and require good acclimatisation. Orientation is another factor of difficulty, as the route crosses glacial areas where the paths are not always well defined. The summer Haute Route is therefore reserved for experienced mountaineers or hikers with guidance, capable of moving through mixed terrain and managing the risks associated with high mountains. Although physically and technically demanding, this crossing offers an exceptional experience, in the heart of the grandiose landscapes of the Alps, between iconic peaks and vast glaciers.
