Alps Haute Route Trek / Chamonix - Zermatt

Jul 01, 2024

Simon Lawton

On the 1st of July I will start a 14 day trek across the Alps from Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland and will be part of a small team of three. The route is approx. 140 miles and I will be camping and staying in mountain huts along the route.

This started as a challenge born from my passion for the mountains and with a big part of me doing this in memory of my Dad as we did a lot of hiking and camping together. The day I arrive in Zermatt and complete the journey will be the 1st anniversary of my Dad passing away - bizarrely I hadn't planned this. I’ve had a lot of friends ask if I’m doing this to fund raise for charity, which initially I wasn’t intending to, however the encouragement has inspired me to try and raise funds for some really good causes.

There are several charities that are close to our hearts as a family and the amazing local community where we live:

Don’t Lose Hope
Bourne Outdoor Swimming Pool
The Scouts Association
The Salvation Army

I would be very grateful for any donation that you can make to these incredible charities that work tirelessly to provide much needed services and support our communities in so many different ways.

My plan is to do some vlogs along the way when I can get a signal and have battery power. Here’s some insight in to the trek that I will be doing:

The Walker’s Haute Route is a world-renowned multi-day hiking journey starting in Chamonix, France near the Mont Blanc Massif and finishing in Zermatt, Switzerland where the Matterhorn towers above. It is regarded by many as the most magnificent hut-to-hut hiking trail that the Alps has to offer.

There is no one single trail that leads hikers between the two mountains, rather a trail network offering 10 popular alternate routes with a total distance ranging from 174km (108mi) to 227km (141mi). No matter which path is chosen, hikers are required to climb over 11 mountain passes and accomplish between 21,000m (69,000ft) and 28,000m (93,000ft) of total elevation change (ascent + descent) as they wind their way through some of the most breathtaking scenery the Alps has to offer.

Supporting

Don't Lose Hope

Community | 1178839

40%

Don’t Lose Hope is a charity that offers a professional counselling service for all members of the community from age 4 upwards. This is a free service for families/individuals receiving certain state benefits and affordable to all others. This service is delivered by a team of qualified and experienced counsellors, in private fully equipped counselling rooms.

Bourne Outdoor Swimming Pool

Health | 1151030

40%

Maintain and manage Bourne's outdoor swimming pool for the people of Bourne and surrounding areas.

The Salvation Army

Community | 214779

10%

The Salvation Army is a worldwide evangelical Christian church. Our mission is based on our faith in Jesus Christ who wants everyone to experience life in all its fullness.