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Looking at doing both routes over a couple of weeks in September.
Anybody done it and can advise on accommodation in chamonix that will allow us to leave our kit whilst in the hills?
Also any advice on accomodation whilst on the routes?
Thanks
Are you talking about walking or biking?
Biking
We stayed at Auberge Le Cret in Les Houches on the first and last night of our TMB. They stored our bike bags for us - it wasn't the first time they'd done this for people. There was a small charge but it was a few years ago and I can't find any other details.
Plenty of info out there on the TMB. The Walkers Haute Route is a different kettle of fish though, more carrying over higher passes with harder descents. You can of course do the whole thing with your bike but there are some sections that probably aren't worth it in terms of carry to good riding ratio. Were you planning to do the whole thing as described in the walking guides?
Not sure I'd want to try to bike the walkers Haute route.
It has some excellent riding Carl but there's lots of big carries and a few bits that I don't think worth the effort.
Mostly the walkers route, but a few blogs online suggest it’s worth doing on the bike. Could modify it a bit.
We missed the section from Verbier to Arolla and also the Europaweg due to a mixture of time constraints and the advice of some Swiss riders we met. I've since heard there's some decent sections between Verbier and Arolla but also a lot of carrying. I've never seen anything to suggest the Europaweg is worthwhile with the bike.
I think it's a significant step up in difficulty from the TMB.
Oh and whatever you decide, don't be tempted to go over the Fenetre d'Arpette.
Snow is a real risk by late September. Especially on the WHR the passes being up to 500m higher than on the TMB.
Very interested to hear how you get on. Had my mind on both of these routes for a few years now. Not managed to get there yet...but managed to find gpx files for both. Can share if you dont have them
Gairy from the Bear Bones forum lives there. Drop him a line or post on there and he may be able to point you in the right direction.
You should able to do the TMB no problem on a Bike.
Haute route will involve lots of carrying your bike over boulder fields.
From Verbier to Arolla will be particularly difficult. Its basically a giant boulder field for 50% of it.
Arolla to Zermat will be a lot easier in comparison.
I have some photos on my blog if you want to have a look at the terrain.
my blog