Walker’s Haute Route East: Self-Guided Hike From Arolla to Zermatt

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • 8-day self-guided Walker’s Haute Route East adventure
    • Accommodation for 7 nights in private rooms (double occupancy)
    • 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners
    • Luggage transfers
    • Digital travel package
    • Smartphone travel app with GPX files
    • 24/7 support
    • Tourist taxes

  Add-ons (available to add at checkout): 

  • • Single occupancy room
    • Printed travel package
    • Extra night(s) in Zermatt

  Not included:

  • • Travel to/from Arolla/Zermatt 
    • Lunches
    • Dinners in Täsch and Zermatt
    • Drinks
    • Personal expenses
    • Transfers (cable car, taxi, trains, bus, etc.)
    • Entrance fees to tourist attractions
    • Anything not mentioned in the “included” section above
    • Travel and medical insurance  — optional

  Should you need to make any changes to your booking after confirmation, please be aware that a €50 administrative fee applies to each modification.

• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to go on this self-guided Walker’s Haute Route, great fitness is required as you’ll be hiking for 6 days in a row over rocky, mountainous terrain, 3-7 hours per day. The most you’ll hike within a day is 16.9 km (10.5 mi), while ascents range from 300 to 1,200 m (985 to 3,937 ft). The highest elevation reached is 2,918 m (9,574 ft).

  Check out the itinerary to learn about day-by-day distances and elevation changes.

• What do I need to bring?

  The following items are required for this Walker’s Haute Route East adventure unless otherwise noted. When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed. Luggage transfers have a limit of 33lbs/15kg—please stick to this as extra items are not easily stored by the team.

  Avoid cotton or cycling-specific clothing. Synthetic fabrics dry quickly and perform well in active conditions. Merino wool is also an excellent option — it dries fast, is comfortable to wear, and naturally resists odors even after extended use.

  Note that the beginning of the season (early July) has a strong risk of snow and snowy conditions on the trail.

  Clothing:

  • • Hiking boots/shoes — waterproof, sturdy molded sole, deep tread and ideally well broken in
    • Hiking socks — one pair for every day or two days of the trip (hiking/sport specific padded socks, no cotton please)
    • Sun hat — wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo
    • Warm hat & gloves — lightweight beanie and light-to-mid weight fleece or wool gloves
    • Hiking shirts — non-cotton, breathable short sleeve and/or long sleeve shirts
    • Warm top — mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
    • Insulating jacket — down-fill or synthetic-fill insulated “puffy” jacket or warm, heavy weight fleece jacket
    • Hiking pants & shorts — nylon pants and shorts, zip-offs or leggings
    • Base layer/long underwear — 1 pair of wicking tops and bottoms that are lightweight to midweight, synthetic wicking materials such as polyester, polypropylene, merino wool, etc.
    • Rain Gear — waterproof jacket and pants or high-quality poncho, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon (for the pants look for side zippers that will easily allow pulling them over footwear)
    • Casual clothing & footwear – comfortable clothes and shoes to wear in the evening after activities.

  Gear:

  • • Backpack — a 30–45 liter sized comfortable pack with a waterproof cover for use day-to-day while hiking
    • Personal luggage — small duffel bag, rolling suitcase or backpack
    • Hydration system — 2+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle
    • Trekking poles — telescopic/adjustable poles to help reduce the impact on joints and support hikers in steep and/or rocky terrain (strongly recommended)
    • Headlamp — preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries
    • Picnic/lunch kit — knife, plate or bowl, box with closeable lid, utensils, etc.
    • Phone, charger, power bank
    • Waterproof travel case or pouch — used to keep important documents (i.e. passport, health/travel insurance, etc.) & phone safe from weather/water
    • Sunglasses, sunscreen, & lip balm
    • First aid kit
    • Personal toilet paper kit — toilet paper, wet wipes, sanitizer & sealable plastic bag(s) for carrying out used paper/wipes
    • Toiletries
    • Contact lenses & glasses
    • Prescription medication — with emergency back-up supply
    • Cash in local currency

  First aid kit suggestions:

  Carrying a basic personal first aid kit is strongly advised, as unforeseen situations may arise during travel. Access to medications and first aid supplies can be limited in certain destinations, making it essential to bring necessary prescription and over-the-counter items. Travel plans, vaccinations, and medication use should be reviewed with a healthcare provider in advance to ensure a safe and smooth journey.

  Here’s a basic list of what’s generally a good personal travel first aid kit:

  • • Medications — brands of choice; all medications should be prescribed or approved by a doctor prior to use
    • Prescription drugs — any required prescriptions with backup doses (kept in carry-on luggage)
    • Epinephrine — multiple doses recommended if severe allergies are present, with doctor prescription
    • Pain relief — ibuprofen, aspirin, non-aspirin (e.g., Tylenol)
    • Antihistamine — diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl)
    • Non-drowsy allergy relief — loratadine (e.g., Claritin)
    • Antacid/heartburn relief — bismuth (e.g., Pepto-Bismol), antacid tablets
    • Anti-diarrheal — loperamide hydrochloride (e.g., Imodium)
    • Cold/flu medicine
    • Electrolyte replacement/drink mix
    • Creams — antibiotic ointment, anti-itch (hydrocortisone), arnica
    • Eye problems: dry/itchy — eye drops
    • Feminine hygiene — tampons, pads
    • Wound care — assorted bandages, antiseptic swabs
    • Blister kit
    • Sun protection — sunscreen, SPF lip balm
    • Various items — athletic tape/“KT tape,” nail clippers, tweezers, small bottle of hand sanitizer, sewing kit (for clothing/button repairs), disposable surgical gloves (1–2 pairs)

  Optional items:

  • • Face masks — 2–3 recommended
    • Travel power adapter — electric voltage in Switzerland is 230 V / 50 Hz; plugs are type C & J
    • Support braces — joint braces if currently needed or from past injuries (e.g., knee, ankle, elbow)
    • Sleep mask & ear plugs
    • Bug repellent
    • Quick drying towel or bandana(s)
    • Swimsuit

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• What is a self-guided tour?

  Self-guided tours are perfect for those who enjoy exploring on their own terms—at their own pace, and with the company they choose. By going on this self-guided Walker’s Haute Route East, we take care of…

  • • accommodation
    • breakfasts and most dinners
    • luggage transfers
    • tourist taxes
    • digital travel package
    • smartphone travel app
    • 24/7 support.
      

  Rather than joining a guided group, you’ll navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the tour operator. For a hassle-free journey with everything arranged for you in advance, there’s no better option!

  Digital travel package includes documents available in English, French, and German, sent by email, and provides access to a smartphone travel application for navigating hikes and accessing local maps (available in English only). It also contains the list of booked accommodations, and all the detailed information needed for a successful trip. If desired, a printed version of the travel package can be provided for an additional fee; it will be ready and available at the first accommodation of the itinerary, including maps, a topo guide, and a travel folder—you can add this at checkout.

  As a self-guided tour is built around your preferred travel dates, your guide will take care of arranging accommodations and details after you book. Note that exact accommodations and dates might shift slightly, so don’t make any travel arrangements until the details of your adventure are confirmed.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • Due to safety reasons, it takes a minimum of 2 people for this self-guided Walker’s Haute Route to operate. Solo hikers are not allowed to join.
    • The maximum group size is set at 16 participants.
    • The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!
    • The standard price is based on twin-share rooms. Single occupancy can be arranged at an additional fee—you can add it to your booking at checkout.

  Walker’s Haute Route East can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the self-guided Walker’s Haute Route East on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Walker’s Haute Route East is Arolla, Switzerland. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport (GVA) or Zurich Airport (ZRH). From there, it’s best to take a shuttle service or rent a car to reach Arolla. Alternatively, public transport is an option, but it will take longer.

  You can check into your hotel from circa 3pm onwards.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  After checkout, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.