From Chamonix to Zermatt: What's it like to ride the Haute Route?

Hey you! You’ve landed here because you have been thinking about or have signed up for the e-Alps Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route. You have been daydreaming (with eager anticipation) about riding your e-MTB through epic trails undulating the majestic Alps (up rugged mountain passes and down to vast valleys), with the iconic Mont Blanc and Matterhorn in the backdrop.

As you sit there staring at photos of the Haute Route on your laptop, you can almost feel the crisp alpine air and sweet fragrance of floral alpine meadows filling your lungs as you gaze at the imposing glaciers and towering peaks above you. But nagging questions abruptly interrupt your thoughts: “Do I have the required technical and physical levels? “How do I prepare for my MTB trip? What gear should I bring?”. 

Worry not! This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Traversing one of the most renowned and iconic mountaineering routes in the Alps by e-bike is no small feat. So, it is natural for you to have many questions. We will do our best to answer them and will take you on a journey of what this immersive experience will be.

This article is based on an adventure talk by our own Adrià Mercade (co-founder of e-Alps and certified MTB guide) for 57 Hours, a platform connecting adventure seekers worldwide with expert guides. We will cover everything you need to know about this adventure: what it is, how to prepare for it, what gear and equipment to bring, and what to expect (terrain, physical effort, food, accommodation, and culture). So, let’s dive in. 

But first, a word or two about e-bikes

Why e-bikes? You may ask. Can I ride the Haute Route with a regular mountain bike? You could, but it’s unlikely you will be able to complete it in seven days (45-50 km and over 1,000 meters of elevation per day on average ) – the duration of this trip – unless you’re some high-level endurance athlete and that’s not the point of this immersive experience.

We spent many days scouting trails and testing variants of this itinerary (on regular bikes and e-bikes) to conclude that e-bikes are the best way to experience this multi-day adventure. As much as it is all about the challenge and the trails, it is also about contemplation, bonding, and taking it all in. 

We can all agree that if there’s a good descent, we’ll put up with the climb. But let’s face it: the climbs are the least pleasant part of a ride. With an e-bike, you can at least make those strenuous climbs a bit more fun, having a go at technical uphills where you would have to push otherwise.

And let’s not forget that this is an incredibly scenic experience. So, the more ground you can cover in less time, the more time you’ll have to admire the stunning Alps (and take photos for the Gram). There’s no denying that with an e-bike, you get to do that (plus some chatting on most of the climbs). 

From a logistics perspective, e-bikes allow us to adapt the group's pace (with the different assistance modes), a crucial aspect when guiding in the backcountry, and ensure no one stays behind. So, if you’re feeling tired, you can boost that turbo mode. Conversely, you can hit that Eco mode if you’re up for a challenge and still have some juice on those legs. So, there you have it. These are the main reasons e-bikes are our preferred means for traversing the Haute Route.

More than an e-MTB tour

The Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route has been one of the world's most popular trekking and ski-touring routes for over a century. However, it has only recently become a mountain biking itinerary. Aware of its potential, we were the first company to offer a guided e-MTB Haute Route tour. 

Inspired by our founders’ bike-packing trips, rich with linguistic, cultural, and human experiences, our Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route blends Alpine gastronomy, tradition, history, and typical accommodation. So, this MTB trip is not just about riding the Haute Route in the Alps. It is an immersion into the Alps and their culture.

So, what should you expect when riding in the Alps?

Alpine terrain 

Traversing the Haute Route, even with an e-bike, is physically and technically demanding. Spanning 250 km with 10,000 meters of altitude gain and 11,000 meters of vertical drop, this seven-day itinerary is a test of endurance and skill. 

Alpine trails are technically demanding, so you should be prepared to ride your e-MTB on steep, rugged terrain. Eighty percent of the riding will happen on natural singletrack with switchbacks aplenty, occasionally exposed passages, and rocky sections (uphill and downhill). Being able to tackle this terrain confidently and knowing when to get off the bike is critical for your safety and enjoyment of the trip. After all, the objective is to have fun (not to suffer), even when the trails get a little rougher. 

If you need to get off your bike and walk a difficult passage, our guides will wait for you and even give you some tips so that you may try it next time if you’re up for it. Remember, this is a group adventure. It is not about who’s the fastest but about sharing the experience and encouraging each other.

The effort

You should ensure your physical and technical levels match this adventure's requirements. Be honest with yourself. We also offer a lighter version of the Haute Route (The Verbier-Zermatt Haute Route) and other experiences tailored to different levels. 

Big mountains mean long climbs and even longer descents. You should expect long and tiring days on the bike – between four and six hours of riding per day for six consecutive days. Knowing how to pace yourself is key. The more riding experience you have – years and terrain – the more confident you’ll feel and the more you’ll enjoy this experience.

Fueling up for adventure 

But don’t worry. The Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route is not all effort. It’s also about wellness and having fun. You’ll have plenty of time to recover and recharge at the many sunny terraces and scenic spas along the way, including an outdoor hot tub and sauna at the rustic Moosalp Mountain Hut. This cabin offers views of stunning peaks like the Bietschhorn, Weisshorn, and Mischabel Range. Read about this charming wooden mountain hut here. 

We'll need to eat well to fuel those long days on the bike. Eating (especially eating with a view) is as important as riding on an e-Alps experience. So, fresh food sourced locally will be key to get you going. A hearty breakfast will be waiting for you every morning at the hotel. This will be the most important meal of the day. So, fuel up properly. Our logistics team will concoct flavorful picnics for lunch at scenic spots daily. You’ll enjoy delicious local cuisine made from scratch at the accommodation for dinner. 

We collaborate with local farmers and hunters to source the picnics’ ingredients. We source the cheese from the Orsières creamery, which offers locally produced cheese. The meat is dried and curated by the father of one of our co-founders, also in Fully (read about it here). The tasty juices are produced by Opaline Factory, a local company (B-Corporation), using organic, local ingredients and solar energy. Every bit of food on your picnics is prepared with love and sourced as ethically as possible. 

We will adapt the meals accordingly if you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements.

Training for your MTB holidays

Preparing yourself physically, technically, and mentally before your MTB holidays will be the difference between having a blast and suffering throughout. If you're considering this bike trip, you should be physically active and ride an e-bike regularly. Preparation should start as early as possible. At the very least, you should have two to three years of experience mountain biking on different terrains. Check out our required physical and technical levels guide: https://e-alps.com/en/required-levels/.

We recommend cardiovascular training at least two or three times per week. It does not matter what type of activity you do, but you should be prepared for full days on the saddle. The more training you do on the bike, the better. 

Honing those skills beforehand will also be crucial, especially if you don’t feel confident with a particular trail feature (like switchbacks or steep descents). We recommend taking a skills lesson to boost your confidence, if possible. 

It is worth noting that e-MTB riding experience is essential for this trip. Riding an electric mountain bike is very different from riding an analog bike. You need to feel comfortable with the bike's weight (approximately 24 kg), especially on rocky or steep descents, and know how to manage the assistance modes, gears, and cadence. Each person will have two fully charged batteries, which our logistics team will transport.

Altitude acclimatization will also be an essential factor to consider. If you live at a lower altitude, we recommend arriving a few days before the trip starts to give yourself time to adapt to the higher altitude.

Mountain bike-specific gear and kit

The bike and gear you bring to this trip will make all the difference. We will send each participant a list of the riding kit and gear required for this trip.

Let’s start with the most important element of the trip: the bike. You can bring your own, but if you’re traveling from abroad, it can be tricky to fly with an e-bike. Alternatively, you can rent one from us. In that case, our logistics team will bring all the spare parts. If you travel with yours, you’ll need the spare parts specific to your bike. We will have two additional bikes on our trailer in case of mechanical issues.

We partner with Flyer Bikes, a Swiss brand, allowing us to have new models yearly. Currently, we have the Uproc X Evo, an all-mountain bike. With a mullet set-up (29-inch wheel in the front and a 27.5-inch wheel in the rear), a Bosch motor, a 750-watt battery, and Shimano XT brakes, this is an all-rounder Swiss machine perfect for attacking Alpine trails. 

Because of the distance we will cover daily, each participant will need a spare battery. This will enable you to ride more comfortably and boost that turbo mode as required. Our logistics team will transport the batteries and your luggage daily. During the lunch break, they will bring the batteries, and the guides will change them. At the end of each day, the guides will charge them. We won’t charge the batteries during the day. In the backcountry, this is not possible.

If you need a spare battery, you can rent it from us, but we only offer 750-Watt Bosch batteries, horizontal and vertical. If you have a Bosch motor, they will be compatible. For other brands, we suggest you contact a bike shop to rent one out. 

Protection, protection, protection. Mountain biking has inherent risks, so you should equip yourself appropriately. A mountain bike-specific helmet and knee and elbow pads will be necessary. If you have a backpack with a back protector, you should bring it. 

You’ll also need bike-specific clothing, including comfortable shorts, jerseys, gloves, shoes, and sunglasses. A waterproof jacket and down jacket, which you can easily pack in your backpack, are a must in the Alps – the weather can be highly variable (even in summer). 

Finally, a note on pedals: Flat vs. clipless pedals: the old-age conundrum. The choice is yours, but we recommend that clients ride with flat pedals unless they’re highly experienced and know the terrain.

A note on the weather 

The weather in the Alps is highly unpredictable. We will devise an alternative plan if riding conditions are unsafe because of a storm. But we won’t stop riding because of a drizzle or if the trails are humid. We’ll just dress up for the conditions and press on. After all, we’re not made of sugar. 

An immersive experience

Embarking on this experience is not just about riding new trails; it's about uncovering a new layer of yourself. From the moment you arrive in Chamonix, you're not just a tourist but part of a fellowship bound by the thrill of exploration and challenge. It's a journey that promises more than just picturesque trails and adrenaline-fueled descents – an invitation to step out of your comfort zone and into a world where every tight turn, steep climb, and breathless moment expands your horizons and challenges your limits.

This adventure melds the essence of camaraderie, challenge, and the thrill of exploring the vastness and pristine beauty of the Alps. It's about the stories you'll tell and the memories you'll cherish - from the exhilaration of riding at the foot of the Matterhorn to the simple joy of a shared picnic on an Alpine meadow. 

So, why should you consider this adventure? Because within you lies an explorer, a dreamer, and an adventurer craving to explore. The mountains are calling, and it's time to answer. Join us on this unforgettable adventure, and let's create stories that will remain etched in our history books forever. The time is now; the adventure awaits. Will you take the first step?