2026 Walker’s Haute Route Trail Updates
Every year hikers from all over the world flock to the Alps to complete one of the most famous multi-day trails, Walker’s Haute Route. It is a challenging journey of physical, mental and spiritual triumph. Our mission is to help these adventurers confidently plan and safely navigate their journey from Chamonix to Zermatt.
Having access to the latest Walker’s Haute Route trail updates, such as early season snow conditions and route/transport changes, is necessary to be well prepared for the adventure. It helps hikers confirm their gear choice, make any relevant adjustments to their itinerary, and prevent unexpected interruptions to their journey. For 8 years, The Hiking Club has been bringing this information together and providing expert commentary for the Walker’s Haute Route.
Check our our 2026 updates for the Walker’s Haute Route:
2026 snow SUMMARY
As the hiking season approaches, it’s important to keep a close eye on latest snow updates!
SNOW REPORT FOR 1st MAY, 2026
favourable early season hiking conditions expected
Based on snow data in The Hiking Club planning app provided by Exolabs, approximately 40% of the Walker’s Haute Route main trail is currently snow free. According to our records, this is about 3 weeks ahead of last year. We last reported similar conditions in 2022, which resulted in limited snow patches left on the main Walker’s Haute Route trail by start July.
Our results are inline with Swiss weather services, that are reporting comparative snow depth currently being at ~60% long term averages.
Source: The Hiking Club planning app on 1st May 2026
Source: White Risk on May 1st, 2026
factors for favourable JULY Hiking Conditions
We’ve been monitoring conditions closely since 2017 and every year it’s a roller coaster. Some look incredibly promising until huge snow dumps at the end of May dramatically changes the picture. Others have resulted in above average snow fall disappearing by early June due to prolonged warm spells in May. While every year is different, these are some of the factors that can lead to favourable July hiking condition;
A smaller snow pack from the winter months that needs to melt away
Freezing level spending an increasing amount of time above the highest elevation points on the trail (~2,500m) during Spring
Limited new snow accumulation during Spring
Plenty of solar radiation hitting the snow from clear sunny days
snow on your route
See the estimated snow depth along the Walker’s Haute Route in our planning app
The estimated current snow depth and 48 hour snow forecast layers in our planning app are updated daily and inform hikers where snow is expected to be located along their route. This information is provided through our partnership with ExoLab.
CURRENT SNOW DEPTH
Check the snow conditions prior to your hike to understand if there is snow and its expected depth along your route. You can decide to alter your route to an alternative route with no/less snow or skip ahead with transport.
48 HOUR SNOW FORECAST
Understand where and how much snow is expected to fall along the trail for informed hiking decisions.
Not a customer? Get access via our Complete and Expert Access packages.
webcams along WHR
See real-time video footage along the Walker’s Haute Route.
The Walker’s Haute Route passes through various ski resorts, which have live webcams showing current conditions, including: Le Tour, Verbier, Grande Dixence, Arolla, Barrage Moiry, Grimentz/Zinal, Turtmann, St Luc, Grächen and Zermatt. Because this is live footage, the video will be black at night time and the current weather may impact the footage too. Most of the webams have a feature that allow you to choose a different time to see footage.
📷 CHARMILLION (1,800M / 5,905ft)
The camera is located at the mid-station in the Le Tour ski area. In the background, you can see the entire Chamonix valley, including Mont Blanc (in the far distance) and the Aiguilles Rouges where the TMB trail traverses to eventually reach Les Houches.
📷 VERBIER - FANTANET (2,479M / 8,133FT)
This camera provides views from within the Verbier ski area across to Cabane du Mont Fort, the main trail via Sentier des Chamois and the alternative trail to Col de la Chaux (2,940m / 9,645ft).
📷 GRANDE DIXENCE (2,364m / 7,756FT)
Not yet operational for summer 2026. This camera is positioned at the Grande Dixence barrage, located on a popular alternative route that connects the valley of Prafleuri with the valley of Hermence. at Grande Dixence. The dam wall of Lac des Dix towers over the hotel originally constructed to provide accommodation to the dam builders, now for hikers and adventurers.
📷 AROLLA (2,290M / 7,513FT)
This camera is positioned within the Arolla ski area and provides views up to Col de Riedmatten (the recommended pass from Val des Dix, not Pas de Chevres which has been closed since the 2023 hiking season) and all the way through the ski area down to Arolla.
📷 Barrage de Moiry (2,250M / 7,380FT)
This camera is positioned at Barrage di Moiry and provides a good perspective of the snow conditions on the alternative route via Col de Torrent (2,916m), the main balcony trail along the east side of Lac de Moiry and views of the switchbacks up to Sorebois (2,895m).
📷 ZINAL - SOREBOIS (2,440M / 8,005FT)
This camera is positioned in the Zinal ski area and provides great views up to Sorebois (highest point on the main trail), down through the ski area, all the way to Zinal. For those who wish to skip this section, the gondola between Sorebois and Zinal village operates during peak season. (You can find 2026 timetable within our planning app).
📷 ST LUC - TIGNOUSA (2,180M / 7,152FT)
This camera is positioned at the top of the St Luc <> Tignousa funicular and is pointed towards Hotel Weisshorn, located on the mountain in the background. This camera is important for hikers taking the alternative route to Cabane Bella Tola. Unfortunately, this is a static camera and therefore doesn’t show the conditions for the trail up to Cabane de Bella Tola, only enroute.
📷 TURTMANNTAL (2,180m / 7,152FT)
This camera is positioned at the head of one of the most remote Swiss valleys - Turtmann, along the alternative trail to Turtmannhütte. The hut can be seen across from the lake, in front of the Turtmann glacier. This little dam is filled with the runoff from the Brunegg and Turtmann glaciers that lies at the end of the valley.
📷 GRächen (1,710M / 5,610FT)
This camera is not positioned on the Walker’s Haute Route, but gives views across to Augstbordpass and the trail via Jüngen to St Niklaus. For those staying in Grächen, the village can be seen clearly from this camera.
📷 ZERMATT - SUNNEGGA (2,290M / 7,513FT)
This camera is positioned at the top of the Sunnegga funicular and provides spectacular views of the Matterhorn (when weather permits!). For those choosing to hike the alternative route into Zermatt via Sunnegga, this is a sample of the views you will experience for your final descent of your Chamonix > Zermatt adventure.
Break the trail
The Hiking Club team hits the trails to capture and share a snapshot of early season conditions with the self-guided hiking community.
For 8 years, The Hiking Club team has completed a “Break The Trail” journey to provide the first trail report for the legendary trails in the Alps that we support. We share these early-season trail updates for hikers to understand the latest snow conditions, adjust their routes (when necessary), and confirm gear choices.
Our Trail Expert who leads our Walker’s Haute Route hike is, Brendan Jones, Co-founder of The Hiking Club
When will we share updateS?
During June and early July, we will share trip reports via our social channels. Our focus is on the conditions on the mountain passes, peaks and difficult trail sections, as this is where the most uncertainty exists.
HOW WILL WE COVER ALL THE TRAILS?
Over the course of 6 weeks, our team will cover +1,000km / +600mi. We usually cover between 30-45km / 20-30mi per day and then jump online to post our trail report and deliver customer support! It’s a busy period for us!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL TO GET REAL-TIME TRAIL UPDATES
WATCH THE 2024 WALKER’S HAUTE ROUTE “BREAK THE TRAIL” VIDEOS:
Disclaimer: Brendan is an experienced early season hiker with extensive knowledge of the Walker’s Haute Route. We do not encourage anyone to hike the Walker’s Haute Route at this time of year. The season officially commences July and goes until late September.
📹 June 25, 2024 - Walker’s Haute Route update (Watch)
📹 June 26, 2024 - Walker’s Haute Route update (Watch)
📹 June 27, 2024 - Walker’s Haute Route update (Watch)
📹 June 27, 2024 - Walker’s Haute Route update (Watch)
📹 June 27, 2024 - Walker’s Haute Route (Watch)
📹 June 28, 2024 - Walker’s Haute Route update (Watch)
📹 June 28, 2024 - Walker’s Haute Route update (Watch)
WATCH THE 2023 WALKER’S HAUTE ROUTE “BREAK THE TRAIL” VIDEOS:
trail ambassadors
In 2025, over 80 trail ambassadors shared over 600 trip reports via our social channels that reached 200k hikers ❤️
Everything we do at The Hiking Club is to make the end-to-end experience of planning and navigating a multi-day hike easy, achievable, and inspiring. Our trail ambassador program has become a key part of providing confidence to others by showcasing all the different ways hikers experience legendary trails. Whether you hike fast or slow, sleep in a tent or lux, go with a crew or solo, picnic or dine in for long lunches - the community wants to hear how you do it! Every experience on the trail is different and the more versions of a journey we share, the better future hikers understand how to create themselves the best plan and what to expect along the way.
2026 trail ambassador program
What will you do?
As a trail ambassador, you will provide “live from the trail” content about trail conditions, route updates, and memorable experiences. This content will be shared with The Hiking Club Walker’s Haute Route community to keep fellow hikers up-to-date, via Instagram and Facebook
What will you get in return?
In addition to helping out your fellow hikers with information that will help prepare them for their hiking adventure, you’ll also receive an exclusive swag box from our brand sponsors to kit you out for success on your hike!
Who are we looking for?
Solo hikers. Groups of friends tackling an adventure together. Adventurous families with kids of all ages. Fastpackers. Wanderers with their dogs. You name it! We want a diverse group of hikers who represent all the different types of people completing the Walker’s Haute Route between June and September 2026.
What is the time commitment?
Kick off session: To ensure we set you up for success, there will be a 30 min briefing session in May.
During your hike: Share your trail updates and photos via Instagram or Whatsapp (max 15 mins per day)
preparation resources
Some help from The Hiking Club to prepare for your legendary trail with confidence!
1) prepare for the alps webinar series
Watch our webinars to get your body and gear list ready to tackle your multi-day hike this summer.
PREPARE YOUR BODY FOR THE ALPS WEBINAR
Join Stacey Hardin, Doctor of Physical Therapy, for a 90-minute webinar on how to train for your multi-day Alps hike: big elevation, mountain conditions, back-to-back days. Learn more.
PREVENT BLISTERS SPOILING YOUR NEXT HIKE
Join Rebecca Rushton, podiatrist and owner of Blister Prevention, for a free 45-minute webinar on how to prevent and treat foot blisters during your upcoming multi-day hike.
HOW TO SUSTAIN ENERGY ON A MULTI_DAY HIKE
Join Dr Andrius Ramonas, PhD in Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition, Co-Founder of Roam, for a free 45-minute webinar on how to sustain energy on a multi-day hike. Learn more.
2) BE PREPARED WITH THE CORRECT GEAR
It’s best to assume that early season hikers will require micro spikes and poles to reduce the risk of incidents on difficult snow covered sections, including sloped terrain and steam crossings. Download our recommended gear list here
A special note on ice-axes: We are sometimes asked whether early season hikers should take an ice-axe. Unless you have training and experience with them, our position is no. Completing a section that requires an ice-axe changes the experience from hiking to mountaineering. If you are not an experienced mountaineer, organise a training with a qualified mountain guide and/or practice your skills on mountains/terrain you are familiar with. Bringing an ice-axe without this experience may give you false confidence to attempt challenging sections that significantly increases the risk of incident. Our advice is to identify the high risk sections and then turn around to avoid them. If you watch our break the trail videos from previous years, we practice what we preach by avoiding high risk snow sections every year. Needless to say, coming home safe is much more important than walking every step on the trail.
3) PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, CHECK SNOW CONDITIONS ON YOUR ROUTE
General snow updates are good, but identifying snow conditions on your planned route is even better. Use current snow depth data in our planning app to check your planned route and determine whether to change your route to a lower/alternative route or to bring gear to match the expected conditions.
CONFIDENTLY PLAN AND NAVIGATE THE WALKER’s HAUTE ROUTE
Check out our planning app that include everything you need to plan, book, prepare, and navigate your adventure between Chamonix and Zermatt.
Everything you need to plan, book, prepare and navigate your adventure. This package includes;
Access a trail expert to prepare an itinerary that meets your needs. This package includes;
60 min consultation
Personalised itinerary designed by our trail expert