Walker's Haute Route trail status
What's open, what it costs and what's changed, checked daily against official sources. Every fact links to its source and keeps its history.
Official source wins. We check these facts every day, but permits, fees and closures can change at short notice. If an official source disagrees with us, follow the official source and tell us.
Season
Early-season snow
In June and early July, snow can linger on the high passes and an ice axe and crampons may be needed; check conditions in advance.
“Early-season walkers (June to early July) should check conditions and may need an ice axe and crampons” Source for early-season snow
Main season
Mid-July to mid-September. Mid-August to mid-September is described as the sweet spot, combining settled weather with good bed availability. Most huts close by the end of September.
“Mid-August to mid-September: generally regarded as the sweet spot” Source for main season
Huts & refuges
Where to book refuges
There is no single booking system for the Walker's Haute Route. The Swiss Alpine Club recommends booking every hut night by phone, e-mail or its route portal (portail des courses / Tourenportal); each hut sets its own dates and terms. Private huts such as Cabane de Prafleuri use their own online form or e-mail.
“vivement de réserver ta nuit par téléphone, par e-mail ou, encore plus simple, via le portail des courses du CAS” Source for where to book refuges
Cancellation
Free cancellation within the deadline applies in all SAC huts and most other huts, but a hut may charge a no-show fee if you do not cancel in time; the SAC says to see each hut's terms. Cabane des Dix, for example, bills the full half-board for a no-show and CHF 40 for a cancellation under 48 hours.
“Les équipes des cabanes sont toutefois autorisées à faire payer une taxe de non-présentation” Source for cancellation
Europahutte · Capacity
Europahütte (2,220 m, above Randa; overnight stop before the Charles Kuonen suspension bridge): 42 beds. Opening dates and booking were not stated on the Grächen tourism page; book with the hut.
“42 beds, a large dining room and a sundeck boasting stunning scenic views” Source for europahutte · capacity
Louvie · Season
Cabane de Louvie (about 2,250 m, side trip from Le Châble / Mont Fort): summer 2026 opening was 23 May to 8 October (Verbier Tourisme, page updated 13 August 2026). Verbier Tourisme lists it as a stop for the Chamonix to Zermatt route. No closure notice was found.
“From 23 May 2026 until 8 October 2026 - Open everyday” Source for louvie · season
Moiry · Season
Cabane de Moiry CAS (2,825 m, CAS Montreux, Col de Torrent variant): staffed July and August, partly open June and September, closed October to May according to the SAC portal; 96 beds, winter room for 20 (open year-round in part). Phone +41 27 475 45 34.
“jun : Partiellement ouvert jui : Ouvert aoû : Ouvert sep : Partiellement ouvert oct : Fermé” Source for moiry · season
Mont fort · Season
Cabane du Mont Fort (2,457 m, above Verbier): summer 2026 opening was 27 June to 21 September (Verbier Tourisme). The SAC portal lists it as open July and August, partly open June and September, closed October and November, with 58 beds. The hut's own site says winter 2026-27 opens on 12 December 2026. The 2027 summer dates and booking opening were not published on 18 October 2026.
“From 27 June 2026 until 21 September 2026 - Open everyday” Source for mont fort · season
Prafleuri · Booking
Cabane de Prafleuri (2,657 m, between Mont Fort and Arolla): online booking is mandatory for nights and half board while the hut is staffed. Staffed March to April and mid-June to October (the SAC portal lists the hut as open July to September, partly open in June, closed in October); 59 beds in collective dormitories; bring a silk sleeping-bag liner. Phone +41 27 281 17 80.
“La réservation en ligne est obligatoire pour les nuitées et les demi-pensions pendant les periodes d’ouverture.” Source for prafleuri · booking
Prafleuri · Rooms
Cabane de Prafleuri has no private rooms: 59 places in collective dormitories (6 dormitories for 4 to 17 people per Hérémence Tourisme). Any itinerary on the standard line has a dormitory night here unless it uses a different line or valley transfers.
“Capacité d’accueil : 59 places en dortoirs collectifs.” Source for prafleuri · rooms
Fees
Hut half board
SAC guidance: a dormitory night costs CHF 25 to 50 for an adult and half board (dinner, bed, breakfast) CHF 70 to 100 in the Club's huts; SAC members get a discount on the night on showing the card. Private huts and valley hotels set their own prices.
“La demi-pension (souper, nuitée, déjeuner) coûte entre 70 et 100 francs.” Source for hut half board
Closures & advisories
Europaweg municipal notice
The municipality of Randa published the partial-opening notice for the Europaweg on 26 June 2026: the path is only partly passable and the Springelboden to Eggenstadel section is closed.
“Der Europaweg zwischen Grächen und Zermatt ist teilweise begehbar.” Source for europaweg municipal notice
Europaweg springelboden
Europaweg (Grächen to Zermatt, the last two stages): the section Springelboden to Eggenstadel between Randa and Täsch is closed (notice dated 26 June 2026). The detour goes from Springelboden via Attermenzen to Täsch, then the marked trail to Täschalp; a taxi can be booked from Attermenzen to Täschalp. Zermatt Tourism also shows a separate rockfall diversion at the Täsch ravine.
“Closed trail section: Randa–Täsch: Springelboden–Eggenstadel” Source for europaweg springelboden
Europaweg tasch ravine
Zermatt Tourism's Europaweg page carries a standing notice that, because of rockfall, there is a diversion at the Täsch ravine: from Bärgji in Randa you walk down to Täsch and back up to Täschalp. The Grächen to Europahütte stage was reopened in July 2021 after the original path was closed for rockfall.
“Due to rockfall, there is currently a diversion at the Täsch ravine.” Source for europaweg tasch ravine
Pas de chevres
The Pas de Chèvres (2,855 m, between the Val des Dix and Arolla) has two near-vertical metal ladders on its Dix side. The Cabane des Dix, run by a Swiss Alpine Club section, shows a banner on its home page saying the pass is closed until further notice, and Wikivoyage reports the ladders permanently closed because of rockfall; the Col de Riedmatten (2,921 m) is the walkers' way between the Dix valley and Arolla. No dated official notice from the commune or the SAC was found, and the banner itself is undated, so confirm locally.
“Pas de Chèvre fermé jusqu'à nouvel avis” Source for pas de chevres
Pas de chevres · Ladders
The SAC route portal describes the Pas de Chèvres west side as two near-vertical metal ladders in a row, and lists no closure or warning on that page (the portal text is undated).
“deux échelles métalliques qui se suivent, presque verticales” Source for pas de chevres · ladders