Hikes
Huts of Orny and Trient
Champex-Lac
3/12°
This mountain hike along glaciers leads to two mountain huts in the Champex-Lac region with spectacular views of the Mont-Blanc massif.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
13.45 kmDuration
5:40 h
Description
Experienced mountain hikers will love this challenging hike through wild and fascinating nature. Begin the ascent with the chairlift to La Breya, during which you can admire the wide panorama extending from Lake Geneva to the Grand-Combin. Then take the hiking trail, whose first part is narrow and airy, especially appreciated by those not afraid of heights. Continue along the moraine of the Orny glacier to the hut of the same name with the widely visible Swiss flag and the bronze ibex. The path continues through scree slopes and along the glacier before leading you in a zigzag through a relatively steep ascent to the Trient hut. The effort is rewarded with breathtaking views of the Trient plateau and the Mont-Blanc massif. The return is on the same path, with the possibility of walking through the Val d’Arpette or returning to La Breya. Those who wish can end the hike on foot instead of using the chairlift.
Turn-by-turn directions
In Champex, take the chairlift from La Breya and follow the signs towards the Orny hut. The beginning of the hiking trail is relatively narrow and runs along a steep slope, but it becomes wider as you ascend to the ridge before crossing a wide slope above the Orny valley. Then continue along the moraines of the Orny glacier to the hut of the same name, where you can take a well-deserved first break. The path then continues through scree slopes and over the glacier. After the lake, descend to the firn of the Orny glacier and follow the signposts and the numerous tracks in the snow left by rope teams in the area. Do not leave the path under any circumstances, and if in doubt due to weather or glacier conditions, do not hesitate to turn back. Following the arrows painted on rocks and stones, you leave the firn and ascend to the foot of the Pointe d’Orny. After one final effort through a very steep slope, you reach the Trient hut, where the panorama from the terrace quickly makes you forget all your efforts. The entire route and reaching this second hut requires about four to five hours of walking time. For the return journey, take the same route or hike through the Val d’Arpette. Depending on the schedule, the operation of the La Breya chairlift may already be stopped, so the last part must be walked on foot.
Start
La Breya (2193m)
Destination
La Breya (2193m)
Author's recommendation
On the way back, dare to take the zip line at the La Breya mountain station. At 540 and 520 meters long, it is the longest zip line in western Switzerland.
Technical information
Altitude
3169m
2190m
Ascent
+1140m
Descent
-1140m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Getting there
Information
Public transport
By train to Orsières, then by bus to Champex, chairlift. The Breya chairlift is open daily from mid-June to mid-September.
Approach
Highway A9 towards Martigny, then E27 towards Gd-St-Bernard to Les Valettes, then direction "Champex".
Parking
Large parking lot at Breya chairlift
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion