OpenTube

Silent Hiking Across the Swiss Alps - Chamonix to Zermatt

Harmen Hoek

398,402 views

Music composed by Thomas James White - “Music for the Mountains 2” now available on all streaming platforms.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/11HFAY...
Apple Music: AppleMusic: thomas-james-white

🖼️ Prints from this film: https://harmenhoek.com/collections/pr...
🎙️ Commentary version: Patreon: haute-route-with-169611797
💬 Ad free watching: Patreon: early-access-12-169393709
🌐 Everything else on my website: https://harmenhoek.com

► My work is made possible by
Rab (https://rab.equipment/),
Enlightened Equipment (https://enlightenedequipment.com),
SOTO (https://sotooutdoors.com),
Bonfus (https://bonfus.com?af=1),
Garage Grown Gear (https://www.garagegrowngear.com)

► GEAR
Tent: https://bonfus.com/product/duos-2p-2/...
Backpack: https://bonfus.com/product/framus-58l...
Down jacket: https://harmenhoek.com/products/rab-m...
Quilt: https://store.harmenhoek.com/products...
Stove: https://store.harmenhoek.com/products...
Wind jacket: https://store.harmenhoek.com/products...
Camera: https://amzn.to/4o53tfq
Microphone: https://amzn.to/43su3H1
ALL GEAR: https://harmenhoek.com/gear

Music in order of appearance:
0:01 - Dawning (Music for the Mountains 2)
1:18 - Footsteps (Music for the Mountains 2)
2:17 - Into Thin Air (Music for the Mountains 1)
4:48 - Alps (Reprise) (Music for the Mountains 1)
6:25 - Among Trees (Music for the Mountains 2)
8:39 - Still (Music for the Mountains 2)
9:48 - Early Rise (Music for the Mountains 2)
11:35 - Cloudlift (not available on streaming platforms)
12:35 - Mistline (Music for the Mountains 2)
15:42 - Flowers Of The Valley (Music for the Mountains 2)
19:20 - Landforms (Music for the Mountains 2)
20:32 - Whiteout (Music for the Mountains 2)
26:03 - Under Cold Stars (Music for the Mountains 2)
28:27 - Early Rise (Music for the Mountains 2)
29:58 - The Heart Call (Music for the Mountains 2)
30:49 - Trailing (Music for the Mountains 2)
33:05 - Between Horizons (Music for the Mountains 2)
33:56 - Momentary Pause (Re-Work) (not available on streaming platforms)
36:28 - Mistline (Music for the Mountains 2)
38:18 - Snowfield (Music for the Mountains 1)
40:11 - Dawning (Music for the Mountains 2)
42:12 - Afterlight (Music for the Mountains 2)
45:16 - Between Horizons (Music for the Mountains 2)
47:51 - Drift (not available on streaming platforms)
49:04 - Flowers Of The Valley (Music for the Mountains 2)
51:31 - Heal (Music for the Mountains 1)
53:35 - Peaks (Music for the Mountains 2)
55:03 - Glass Water (Music for the Mountains 2)
56:49 - Finding Home (Music for the Mountains 2)

► ABOUT THIS ADVENTURE
In June 2026, I set out from Chamonix to hike the Haute Route across the Alps to Zermatt. I completed the journey in 12 days, with around 10 full days of hiking, often covering close to 20 miles (32 km) and 7,000 ft (2,100 m) of climbing a day. I deliberately chose early June, when the mountain huts were still closed and the high passes were largely untouched and covered in snow. Starting beneath Mont Blanc in Chamonix, I crossed the Aiguilles Rouges, Col de Balme and Fenêtre d’Arpette, before taking a more remote variation past the Corbassière Glacier and over Col des Avouillons. From Lac de Louvie, I continued through the snow-covered Grand Désert and crossed Col de Louvie and Col de Prafleuri before reaching Les Haudères for a resupply and to recharge my batteries. The second half took me over Col du Tsaté to the Moiry Glacier and Cabane de Moiry, then across Col de Sorebois to Zinal, Forcletta to Gruben and Augstbordpass toward St. Niklaus. After one final high crossing, I descended into Zermatt on day 12, finishing the Haute Route beneath the Matterhorn.

► TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
1:01 - Day 1 - Aiguilles Rouges
4:32 - Day 2 - Col de Balme & Fenêtre d’Arpette
9:38 - Day 3 - Mont Brûlé
15:42 - Day 4 - Col de Louvie
21:12 - Day 5 - Grand Désert & Col de Prafleuri
28:12 - Day 6 - Arolla & Les Haudères
30:54 - Day 7 - Col du Tsaté & Moiry Glacier
36:22 - Day 8 - Col de Sorebois
39:50 - Day 9 - Forcletta
45:03 - Day 10 - Augstbordpass
48:59 - Day 11 - Pfulwe Pass
55:02 - Day 12 - Matterhorn & Zermatt
56:59 - Outro

#solohiking #switzerland #matterhorn #hauteroute

20 Comments

@TomLJWhite 9 days ago

Such a pleasure working with you again on this project, Harmen! I hope everyone enjoys the music <3

@SimonStormFrigon 5 days ago

Filming while tackling such a demanding expedition is an incredible challenge.

You explain in his adventure notes that you completed this journey in 12 days (with about 10 full hiking days), often covering 32 km (20 miles) and 2,100 m (7,000 ft) of elevation gain per day.

Managing professional-level cinematography while navigating remote, snow-covered mountain passes and extreme terrain significantly adds to the physical and logistical workload of an already intense solo adventure.

Incredible

@J-tt7ou 8 days ago (edited)

Traveling with you virtually has taken many of us across the world. The beautiful landscapes, the sound of coffee brewing , gazing out into the landscapes that go on, many challenging paths wildlife and flowers. Its as if we are there in the moment. The music is always perfect that accompanies your short films. Thank you Harmen for another outstanding short film. Look forward to the next and keep moving forward.

@JohnDontFollowMe 8 days ago

32km every day is absolutely mind-bending far. I did 23 km from Rotstockhütte to KAndersteg and this was the hardest walking I hav ever done. You do it like it is just a plan and a holiday. Also while carrying multiple kilograms of camera gear. Absolute respect for your condition and your knees!

@WarrenWilderness 1 day ago

Harmen tells the best stories... without saying a word.

@wanderspatz 9 days ago (edited)

An absolute masterpiece: both the film and this beautiful mountain landscape👋Great work👌Thanks for sharing!

@SandraNeffMusic 8 days ago

As a Swiss I appreciate all your videos a lot, but of course this makes my heart singing a lot. Thank you for sharing the beautiful scenery of our alpes!

@Brilliant_Mfanas 9 days ago

Here's the man living my dream. Great project man and the team.

@hoellenhund1000 8 days ago

Beautiful! This comes close to your JMT masterpiece. I hardly can grasp all the effort you put in: The very early season start, the extra miles for filming, the long days on alternative routes for even more remote and quiet scenery. It's all worth it if you ask me as a viewer!
Best regards from Switzerland...

@alibelkorchi9222 9 days ago

This has to be the most beautiful video i have ever seen because with this level of filmmaking , it shows how well thought and how well done it is , really inspiring man

@wynomastockenstroom4052 9 days ago

Once again Harmen, you have shown us your absolutely beautiful and energetic adventure in the most dramatic way.. Truly an intrepid.
Absolutely awesome. And awe inspiring.

@kunallodaya 7 days ago

Masterclass in framing! The best mountain cinematography ever! Just WOW!!:face-blue-wide-eyes::finger-red-number-one::medal-yellow-first-red::yougotthis::hand-orange-covering-eyes:

@goddesscapricorn 9 days ago

I love and appreciate your silent videos. They are so meditative for me. I watch them as I’m getting ready for bed. But I always wonder how you choose your hikes. The logistics behind them. Do you train for the hikes? The entire process behind the scenes. Would you ever consider doing a behind-the-scenes video for us? It would be so much fun and interesting to learn. Thank you Hamen 🙏

@theresebennett5372 9 days ago (edited)

Harmen, you have one of the best trekking channels on YouTube. I love it is wordless the entire time.

You take me places, I will never be in my life. Your stamina to hike has you do is quite impressive! It truly feels like you are one hundred percent connected to nature. That is the life for me, being aware of my surroundings in silence as much as possible.
I truly look forward to your next video, the moment I am done watching your most recent video.

Be safe as always, and always stay true to yourself every step you take in life.

@roybooth7904 9 days ago

Make sure you spend it on coffee! I could not enjoy a feature film in a cinema more than this. The sheer variety of shots - that transition from details in the village to exiting trees towards the mountains at 31:11, that's the miraculous pacing your editing imparts. The creatures, the snow, the waters, the mountains, the skies - all wonderful.

@Luna2329 4 days ago

This made me cry. Absolutely breathtaking.

@colinwalker-watson7219 8 days ago

Excellent work. It's surprising how many ibex you encountered - almost every day it seemed there was another group. Once these were hunted to extinction, but now they are thriving.

@김놀_V 3 days ago

장엄하고 순수한 자연 아름답고 경이롭다
긴 거리를 걷고 영상을 촬영하고 말이 없는 당신에게 경의를 표합니다

@Mr.M.x.D 8 days ago

From the very first second of the video, I’m blown away all over again every time.

Your content is honestly the best thing that has ever been produced for YouTube.
Thank you so much for these incredible recordings.

I really hope you’ll keep taking us along on your hikes for many, many years to come!

@BornToMotion 9 days ago

This felt like more than a hiking film - it was a quiet journey through the Alps. The landscapes, natural sounds, and beautiful cinematography captured the scale and peacefulness of the mountains perfectly. Truly inspiring. 🏔