Trekking in the Alps

Route descriptions: It is a shame that people know so little about the Dents du Midi range, overshadowed as it is by neighbouring four-thousanders. This tour is ideal for those who appreciate the unknown and solitude, away from ski areas and busy tourist resorts. The few huts in the Illiez valley to the west and the Rhône valley to the east are still small and cosy. There is no place for stress and frenzy here. The highest peak falls short of 3300m and it is rare to see a glacier. This trekking experience is immersed in an environment which is still wild and will be one you will never forget. This is a 4-day tour. It is relatively short and it does not present great climbing challenges to trekkers. However, one should not to underestimate it, good fitness conditions and endurance are still essential. On the second day of the tour, try not to miss a visit to Haute Cime (3257m) with its outstanding views towards Mont Blanc, the Gran Combin and Lake Geneva.

Skills required:This tour is not very demanding with regards to climbing skills. It is necessary to use careful footwork, endurance and have a head for heights. If you decide to climb up Haute Cime on the second day, you need to take into account the fact that both on the second and third days you will be walking for 8 hours. Another important requirement is a good sense of orientation, as for part of the route there will be no path to follow.

Champéry – Grand Paradis – Bonavau – Pas d’Encel – Cabane de Susanfe

Travel time: 3,5-4 h.

The first day is not particularly long but you are going to see beautiful landscapes. From Champéry (1055m) follow the road to the camping site “Grand Paradis”. Enter the wood and you see the path getting steeper and steeper. Aftermany turns, you reach Alpe Bonavau, where you can rest and have lunch. On the next uphill slope you gain only 200m, but it is very steep and requires careful footwork and a head for heights. From the Pas d’Encel (1808m), it is 30 – 45 minutes to the Cabane de Susanfe (2102m).

Accommodation:
Cabane de Susanfe (2102m): Tel. +41-(0)24-4791646 www.vs-wallis.ch/wallis/huetten/susanfe.html, open from the beginning of June to the end of September, SAC-CAS.

Cabane de Susanfe – Col de Susanfe – (Haute Cime) – Lac de Salanfe – Col du Jorat – Mex

Travel time: 5-5,5 h (Without climb up Haute Cime) or 8 h (with climb up Haute Cime)

If you want to go up Haute Cime, it is advisable to make an early start. Leave Cabane de Susanfe (2102m) and after almost 1½ hrs you reach Col de Susanfe (2494m). From here to the peak takes 2 hours with 770m height gain. This slope is very steep and requires endurance. When you are ready to leave the peak, you need a good sense of orientation, because there is no path descending from Col de Susanfe. However you soon reach a waymarked path leading you to the stunning Lac de Salanfe (1932m). From here, Col de Jorat (2212m) is already visible at a distance and after gaining 300m you will soon be there. The descent from Col de Jorat is steep and you need to cross a stream. This requires care. Finally you reach the village of Mex (1118m).

Accommodation:
Auberge de l’Armailli (Mex, 1118m): Tel. +41-(0)27-7671979, e-mail: [email protected], www.armailli.ch, open all year, private.

Mex – Le Fahy – Le Jeurs – Chindonne – Valerette – Signal de Sol – Cabane d’Antème

Travel time: 8-8,5 h

Today’s route is extremely varied but also very long. It is therefore essential to make an early start. Cross the larch wood and meadows. Reach Le Fahy and take the shortcut on the flanking valley. The path across Le Jeurs (1555m) requires a good sense of orientation, as the path is not always clearly visible. From Le Jeurs you can see the signs again and you reach Chidonne (1604m) and Valerette (1702m) withoutmuch effort. Keep following the path through the pastures for a short distance till you reach a dirt road. Follow it as far as Signal de Sol (2053m). After two more kilometers cut towards Lacs d’ Antème, and you reach today’s destination, Cabane d’Antème (2037m).

Accommodation:
Cabane d’Antème (2037m): Tel. +41-(0)24-479 23 35 or +41-(0)79-4737140 www.vs-wallis.ch/wallis/huetten/anteme.html, open from the beginning of July to the end of September (occasionally also in October), private.

Cabane d’Antème – Champéry

Travel time: 3-3,5 h

Yesterday’s route was very long, but today you can enjoy the journey to the full. It is downhill all the way and you quickly loose height and reach the valley. Follow a tarred road, and then return to the path again. Finally, cross a spectacular gorge and descend to Champéry.

Useful information

Tourist information
Champéry Tourisme: Tel. +41-(0)24-4792020 e-mail: [email protected], www.champery.ch
Val-d’Illiez Tourisme: Tel. +41-(0)24-4772077 e-mail: [email protected], www.valdilliez.ch

Alpine Guides
Montagne Expérience (Champéry): Tel. +41-(0)79-377037 e-mail: [email protected], www.champery.ch
Alexandre Gex: Tel. +41-(0)77-4417520 e-mail: [email protected]
Nicolas Grenon: Tel. +41-(0)79-3029283 e-mail: [email protected]
François Jeandet: Tel. +41-(0)79-5643625 e-mail: [email protected], www.mountainfeeling.ch

Weather
Switzerland: +41-(0)900-162 333 www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch

Maps
National map of Switzerland, Sheet 272 (St. Maurice): 1:50.000
National map of Switzerland, Sheet 282 (Martigny): 1:50.000
National map of Switzerland, Sheet 1304 (Val-d’Illiez): 1:25.000
National map of Switzerland, Sheet 1324 (Barberine): 1:25.000

Alpine clubs
Swiss Alpine Club (SAC-CAS): Tel. +41-(0)31-3701818 e-mail: [email protected], www.sac-cas.ch

Websites
www.chablais.info
www.dentsdumidi.ch