I've just booked air reservations for a month in Switzerland (late August to late September). I am planning to walk the Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route. I am used to wilderness travel in the United States where most of my nights were spent camping. I am interested in camping on this trip but my understanding is that many nights will have to be spent in the mountain huts. I have the Kev Reynolds Guide book so I have a good idea of the places I will be staying but I'm not sure about whether it is necessary to reserve several days ahead of time. I'm fine with staying in dorm style accommodations although truthfully, I sleep better in my tent than in a hostel. My tent, sleeping bag, and pad weigh only three pounds total so taking them along is not a huge imposition. If anyone can provide guidance on whether I will need to reserve accommodations I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
Posted by
Austin, TX
92 posts
Camping isn't really done in the Alps like in the US; for one thing, there is not much level land that's not already claimed for farming. Huts can be situated on otherwise unusable rocky areas. European holidays make August crowded, but September will probably be no problem as schools resume.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
I would agree with Robert here...I spent three weeks all over that area a couple of summers ago and saw 0 tent campers. In Europe most tent campers stay in campgrounds that are in more developed towns - back-country camping really isn't a thing and I honestly don't know where you would pitch your tent. The haute route is extremely rocky...if that is what you're used to then maybe you can make it work with a good thermarest pad but I really don't know if random camping is even allowed.
The only mountainous area of the alps I have seen tent camping in the back country is in the Dolomites and even there it's rare.
I have done hut-to-hut hiking in the alps and even in September I would make reservations...at the very least you should have the hut you are staying at call ahead to the next one to insure a spot. Some of them provide bedding and others don't so you should still pack your sleeping bag.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for the replies. I purchased the Cicerone Guides for the Tour of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix to Zermatt walk and it appears that there are some towns that have camping opportunities but they do not appear to be free, nor are they in wilderness settings. As a result, there isn't really much of a cost savings over the hostels en route so it might make more sense to not plan on carrying a tent or sleeping pad at all. I do plan to carry a sleeping bag liner and probably will carry my sleeping bag as well in case of a cold dorm ... my bag weighs just over a pound. In the US I am used to what they call "wild camping" in Europe and that's my preference but pushing my luck with the authorities in foreign countries is not my idea of a good thing while on vacation!
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
We wild camp in the Sierras and have never attempted it in Europe.
I still encourage you to do hut-to-hut hiking though! It's a unique experience and some of the huts are beautifully old, perched up in amazing locations, and full of character! The food is fantastic and you will meet many like-minded people from all over the world who have a love of the rugged outdoors. A very different experience from hostels. Preferable in my opinion!
Posted by
Massachusetts
715 posts
Ravi,
Good luck to you. This one of my dreams and I hope to get there at some point. I am in my sixties, battling cancer at the moment, but I will do it at some point. Have a blast.
JKC