Valais Day 3: Cabane de Prafleuri - Gîte de La Sage (Prafleuri Hut - La Sage Lodge)
Departure from Hérémence (Valais)
An unusual stage today: it starts with a downhill hike before a long climb uphill, a second descent and a ski lift ride followed by a walk over flatland and a bus ride to the lodge.
Valais Day 2: Cabane de Louvie - Cabane de Prafleuri (Louvie Hut - Prafleuri Hut)
Departure from Bagnes (Valais)
Second stage of this hike crossing two passes, Louvie Pass and Prafleuri Pass, both snow-covered.
Valais Day 4: Refuge de la Sage - Cabane Bella Tola (La Sage Lodge - Bella Tola Hut)
Departure from Evolène (Valais)
A long climb to Torrent Pass before reaching Moiry Lake, then Saint-Luc by bus, Tignousa by cable car and finally Bella Tola by foot.
Think about correcting the distance indicated by points (5) et (6) : you need to deduct 10 km.
Valais Day 1: Fionay - Cabane de Louvie (Louvie Hut)
Departure from Bagnes (Valais)
First stage of this trek linking Fionay village to Saas Fee. A pleasant stage reaching Louvie Hut (la Cabane de Louvie) built on the edge of Louvie Lake.
Trek from Fionay to Saas-Fee
Departure from Bagnes (Valais)
In the Swiss valley, this particularly pleasant hike allows you to explore the many 4000 m peaks that surround the route.
N.B. this route is outlined on Openmap which doesn't have the details of our fine IGN maps. Before being able to get your hands on a Swiss map, which are more precise, the route and GPS layouts will be handy for this pleasant trek.
Tour du cervin day 10: Arolla - Refuge de Prarayer (Prarayer Shelter)
Departure from Evolène (Valais)
A high mountain stage which requires hiking boots with crampons to cross the Arolla glacier. You should get an early start for this long stage of the hike.
Tour du Cervin day 9: Villa Evolène (then Arolla)
Departure from Ayer (Valais)
A long stage through two passes however, shortened by the cable car link in Zinal and the coach transfer between Villa Evolène and Arolla.
Warning: Taking into account the cable car transport, the positive altitude isn't 2156 m as indicated but only 1380 m.
Plan Monnay
Departure from Liddes (Valais)
A lovely circular walk for a half day out which is good if the weather is forecast to deteriorate in the afternoon. It can also be extended if you want a longer walk. Amazing views from the top of Plan Monnay.
The Matterhorn Tour Day 2: Prarayer Refuge - Perrucco Vuillermoz Refuge
Departure from Bionaz (Aosta Valley)
Stage starting in pasture which quickly heads into the high mountains passing through the Valcornera pass.
The Matterhorn Tour Day 1: The Léchère - Prarayer Refuge
Departure from Bionaz (Aosta Valley)
Warm-up walk to reach the Prarayer refuge along the right bank of the lake.
The Matterhorn Tour
Departure from Bionaz (Aosta Valley)
Undertaken over 10 days, this circuit around the Matterhorn is outstanding. Each day it takes you over the 4000 m peaks of this alpine range. As it is located in 2 countries, Italy and Switzerland, it also brings you into contact with three European languages: Italian, German and also French in Valais in Switzerland.
Valais Day 5: Bella Tola hut - Gruben
Departure from Saint Luc (Valais)
First phase in the Saint-Luc skiing area before heading along the Tour de Cervin trail and completing the stage at Gruben.
Le Belvedere
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
This is a variation on the Sentier Le Belvedere walk which is described in the Pays du St-Bernard tourist booklet.
Sentier du Bisse
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
A short and easy walk from Champex Lac, taking the well signposted and good paths beside the Bisse. These are the water channels made to control and route the flow of water for irrigation purposes. The path returns to Champex via part of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) path.
Champex to Cabane d'Orny via the Col de la Breya.
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
A circular walk from Champex Lac; ascending via the Bisses to the Arpette valley and then taking the path uphill through forest to the Col de la Breya. Then descending and joining the path to the Cabane d'Orny (refreshments available). The descent is via the path back to the La Breya chair lift taking in an optional ascent of La Breya.
Champex to Cabane d'Orny and return via La Breya summit and ski lift.
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
A circular walk from Champex Lac; ascending the tranquil and beautiful Combe d'Orny and joining the path to the Cabane d'Orny where there are refreshments available. The descent is via the path back to the La Breya ski lift taking in an optional ascent of La Breya. (It is also possible to descend by foot via the Val d' Arpette or from the ski lift, similarly the walk can be shortened and height gain reduced by taking the ski lift up.)
6th stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
6th stage of the Mont Blanc tour: from the Relais d'Arpette to the Forclaz Pass via la Fenêtre d'Arpette.
Champex-Lac to Trient -Tour Mont Blanc
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
This 8th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) offers two options, the tough one via Fenetre D'Arpette and the somewhat easier option over Porte à l'Ô. Here's the second version, past Plan de L' au, over Alpage de Bovine and Porte à l'Ô, past the Col de la Forclaz to drop down to Trient. Let's do it!
The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
Raccard du Blé
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
A circular walk in the lower part of the Swiss Val Ferret. One of the walks publicized by the tourist office and well signposted. There are information boards (in French) about the construction of traditional barns made from local stone and timber. Easy walking, navigation and some interesting information. The first section is on a quiet road.
Pointe d'Orny : out and return from the La Breya ski lift.
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
An ascent of an easy alpine peak starting from the La Breya ski lift and via the Orny and Trient mountain huts. Superb views over the Trient Plateau.
Circular Tour of Sex Rouge including the Summit
Departure from Arbaz (Valais)
This walk starts in Anzere and uses the cable car to the Pas de Maimbre.
The walk takes you around the Sex Rouge and includes the short but steep ascent to the summit for the great views across the Pennine Alps. It descends to pass the Cabane de Audannes and then through the Combe des Andins to Serin. After this is uses one of the established Bisse walks to return to Anzere.
⚠️(Note in 2024 the path between point 2616m and the col at La Selle was affected by a landslide and is unsafe. This route uses a deviation set up by local mountain guides; it is marked with posts but is not yet as obvious as it will be, once it is used by many people)
Combe de Serin, Serin and return to Anzere via the Bisses
Departure from Arbaz (Valais)
Starting from the Anzere cable car station this walk follows a piste before heading uphill into an alpine pasture where the path all but disappears, this section is short as you soon pick up a better track to the Combe de Serin and a descend to the alpine pastures at Serin. You then take the waymarked paths back through the forest and beside the Bisse to Anzere. A varied and interesting walk with great views.
The Matterhorn Tour D3: Perrucco Vuillermoz Refuge - Gandeg Cabin
Departure from Valtournenche (Aosta Valley)
Discover the giant that resides here, the splendid Matterhorn itself, before getting a closer look in the evening at the Gandeg cabin.
Chemin de Bouquetins / des Bergers
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
This walk is a mixture of the Chemin de Bouquetins which coincides with the Sentier des Bergers in places. It takes advantage of the ski-lift in Fouly to save on the ascent but you can always walk uphill if you choose. These walks are both publicized by the tourist office and are well signposted.
La Fouly to Champex-Lac - Tour Mont Blanc
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
This 7th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) begins in La Fouly and gently descends alongside the Dranse de Ferret to Praz-de-Fort and Les Arlaches. It then leaves the valley to climb up to Lac de Champex. Let's do it! The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.
Follow the TMB signposts.
Petit and Grand Cols Ferret
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
A lovely circular walk taking in both of the Col Ferrets. Done the way described means that you will ascend the steeper sections and enjoy the easy descent following the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) path.
Lacs de Fenêtre
Departure from Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses (Aosta Valley)
A superb circular walk crossing three cols and the border into Italy and back. There are amazing and changing views throughout. Recently upgraded with signage as a locally important route and marked as 210 on the Swiss side of the border, 103 or 13a on the Italian side.
Described here in a clockwise direction as the Col du Bastillon is better in ascent than descent.