I just got back from walking the Haute Route from Le Chable to Zermatt.
Anyone planning on doing the Europaweg should bear in mind that part of the trail shortly after the Europa Hut is closed due to Stonefall and damage to a suspension bridge. The diversion descends almost all the way down to the valley near Randa. From there you have 2 choices, follow the signs going uphill (in direction of Kin Hütte) or follow the the lower level path (towards Täsch) that rejoins the Europaweg on the approach to Täschalp.
The fisrt alternative will add 2 hours 15 minutes to the walk, the other one will add 1 hour 15 minutes.
Just back from doing the Walker's Haute Route........great trip!!! Did it in 12 walking days with an additional day to walk up to the Hornli Hut. It's not easy to contemplate doing the mileage and ascent in 7 days, as you mentioned. An Olympic athlete or sherpa with no pack might achieve it!!!
Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Take plenty of money as the strength of the CHF against the pound makes everything very expensive. Supermarket prices are approximately three times more expensive than in the UK. For example, 200g coffee £12, loaf £3, potato crisps (big bag) £5.70, cheese, the sky's the limit...........
Two of us went for a meal in Zermatt at the end of the walk, which consisted of a total of two small beers each and a plate of rosti with a big sausage and a Valais platter of dry cured meats with a tiny salad..........£50
Most people were spending between £60 to £65 each day for their accommodation (hut/dorm) and a meal. If you wanted to use the cable car to go to Schwarzezee, on the way to the Hornli hut, it was £25 single.
Water at the Cabane de Prafleuri £6 for 1.5 litres
Yes, it is expensive in Switzerland right now. Prices for half-board in the huts is around 60-65 CHF, converts to more than £50 - and that's before you've had a drink. A beer in the hut would cost about 6 CHF.
Zermatt is pricey, even compared to the rest of the country. But if you stay at the Hotel Bahnhof (which has dorm rooms), it has a self-catering kitchen and you can save money by buying food (and drink) from the nearby Co-op.
I agree with you, some friends stayed in the Hotel Bahnhof and seemed to like it. Best value in the CO-OP was a litre bottle of Merlot at about 3 CHF.
Camp site was very friendly too, at 11 CHF, with hot shower for free. As for the rest of Zermatt, much of the stuff was aimed at the tourist looking for souvenirs.
The museum is well worth a visit and you are able to touch Whymper's ice axe (albeit when no-one was looking!)
There are some nice walks you can do from Zermatt, if you have time. I walked to Fluhalp Hut, and also up the Trift gorge and the Höhbalmen, unfortunately I didn't get great views of the Matterhorn on either day.
yo dude, i am in italy right now and have all my gear. i am 25 from toronto in excellent shape and was also thinking haute route. are you doing this still? weather freaks me out, let me know what your thinking rwilliams250@gmail.com
Im not going to do this route, instead im going to stay 7 days in Zermatt and go for day walks. Your more than welcome to join me for a couple if you'd like.
