Classic Haute Route with Yassine Diboun
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Aug 18, 2025 - Aug 27, 2025 | 10 days - 9 nights |
The Classic Haute Route covers over 180km, from Chamonix, France, to Zermatt, Switzerland. The world’s best-known multi-day backcountry ski route, the trekker’s version of the Haute Route also makes for a great, mountainous trail running adventure, avoiding glacier travel and passing instead through traditional Alpine villages, thick pine forests, and colorful flower meadows of Switzerland’s Valais Canton. Much of the route is indeed “Haute,” or high, with several mountain passes close to 3000m. Along the way, you’ll get fantastic views of the Mont Blanc massif and the Matterhorn, as well as experiencing traditional Alpine culture and trying typical mountain dishes.
You’ll be running with Portland, Oregon’s Yassine Diboun on this tour. Yassine is one of the greatest guys we know– his energy and enthusiasm is infectious! He’s an elite trail runner, but also one of our community’s most wonderful and supportive people. His own story is one of overcoming personal challenges to create a life that inspires others– both in person and through Wy’East Wolfpack, a fitness and trail running community he and business partner Willie McBride created in the Pacific Northwest.
On this level 4 tour we’ll trail run the Haute Route in 7 days, usually covering around 30km per day. The trails are varied, adventurous, and more technical than those on the Tour du Mont-Blanc. This is one of the most challenging trips offered by Run the Alps, and you should be comfortable on technical and remote terrain. Flowy single track balcony trails lead to steep, rocky climbs, bringing you close to the high mountains. Please read more about our tour levels, so you can be sure you’re picking a trip that’s right for you.
Header photos: Kim Strom, Milo Zannecchia, Steph Lefferts
Book this tour
Single Supplement: $980
Itinerary
Chamonix train station.(Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1
Arrive in Geneva airport and travel to Chamonix via shared shuttle. We’ll meet with our guide in the evening to talk through the week ahead, then enjoy a delicious five-course meal together.
Heading towards Col de Balme. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 2
This first part of the Haute Route is pleasant and runnable as you gently ascend the valley above Chamonix to reach Le Tour. A steeper climb brings you over Col du Balme, and across the border into Switzerland, from where we descend to the village of Trient.
Cruising along Champex Lac. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 3
Today you’ll follow the Bovine Route, with wonderful views of Switzerland’s Rhône valley – and some cows along the way! The second part of the day heads down to the Roman town of Sembrancher, before heading up the valley on a gondola to Verbier.
Trail running along a bisse in Verbier, Switzerland. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 4
Today we’ll climb into remote and rugged country and spend the day above treeline. With two passes just under 3000m in elevation, this day is challenging and quite beautiful.
Looking towards Mont Collon from Arolla. (Photo: Mark Brightwell)
Day 5
Today we’ll cross a small pass before the Dixence reservoir, where we’ll skirt the edge of the reservoir along a rough service track, before the ascent of Pas de Chèvres. Passing through wonderful, remote high country, this is one of our favorite days on the Haute Route.
Above Lac de Moiry. (Photo: Mark Brightwell)
Day 6
Today, we’ll start with a short Swiss Post bus ride, to avoid a valley walk. We’ll cross two high passes, the Col du Torrent and Col du Sorebois, visiting the azure Lac de Moiry in between.
Cheesy Rösti. (Photo: Kelly M)
Day 7
Today’s first climb to Col de la Forcletta, as we enter the German-speaking Wallis Canton. Next, we’ll cross the wild Turtmann valley, passing through the seasonal hamlet of Gruben, which is entirely isolated in winter. At the end of the day, a cable car takes us 860m down from Jungen to St Niklaus.
Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge. (Photo: Mark Brightwell)
Day 8
We’ll climb out of the valley, then cross the Charles Kuonen bridge, at 494 meters, the world’s third longest hanging pedestrian bridge. We’ll traverse on rolling single track into the Matter Valley on the famous Europaweg trail, and we’ll finally get our first views of the Matterhorn!
Matterhorn views from Zermatt. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 9
Today we get a much-deserved day off to enjoy Alps culture of the car-free village of Zermatt. Wander the village, enjoy Zermatt’s alpine museum and Swiss cafes, or ride trams, gondolas and cog trains high into the surrounding peaks. There will be the option of a shorter trail run, too! Our adventure concludes with a farewell dinner.
Breakfast before goodbyes. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 10
Today we’ll enjoy a final breakfast together, then take our leave of Zermatt. There are regular trains to Geneva or Zurich airport – or wherever your travels take you next!
Regional map
What's included
7 nights of accommodations at 3- and 4-star hotels, 1 night at a mountain inn, 1 night at a remote mountain hut, All breakfasts, light lunches, and dinners, Trail nutrition from premium partners, Licensed International Mountain Leader, Trail runs each day with special guest Yassine Diboun, Shared shuttle transfer from the Geneva Airport to Chamonix, All transfers to and from trailheads, In-tour transportation, Luggage transfers, Run the Alps Guide to Trail Running in the Alps.The closest airport is Geneva, Switzerland. Run the Alps will arrange for a shared shuttle from Geneva airport to Chamonix, France, a 90-minute journey. If you arrive a day or more before the tour starts, the shared shuttle is still included.
Plan your departure flight for late afternoon on the day your tour ends, at the earliest. The closest airports to Zermatt are Geneva and Zurich, both of which are a little over three hours away by train. If a morning flight is preferable, plan on a night at a hotel in your departure city. Please discuss options with us if you’re unsure about your departure plans.
Not Included: Flights, drinks with dinners, extra charges made at accommodations like room service or laundry, mountain transport if you cannot complete the run, train tickets from Zermatt to departure destination, gratuity for guides.
All Run the Alps guests receive a copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps to assist in preparing for their trip.
Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions and travel insurance.
Tour Balance: Your tour balance is due 90 days before your tour starts. We will send you an invoice about a month before that due date. However, you can pay your balance at any time. If you’d like the simplicity of paying in full sooner, or would like to pay in installments, please contact us.
Guides for this Tour
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Book this tour
Single Supplement: $980