Tour du Grand Chavalard
Ovronnaz
-3/2°
Circular hike around the imposing summit of the Grand Chavalard (2,899 m). Highlights include the scenic ride with the chairlift, crossing the Fenestral Pass, the mountain lakes of Fully, and the spectacular panorama.
Difficulty
IntermediateLength
14.76 kmDuration
5:30 h
Description
The Grand Chavalard (2,899 m) is the imposing summit towering over Fully. This hiking is a circular route that goes once around the summit and is situated at an altitude between 1,850 and 2,450 meters.
Take the Jorasse chairlift, from whose mountain station the hike begins, passing through a series of beautiful alpine landscapes. Spectacular views are offered, especially from the Fenestral Pass (2,453 m): here you can see over the lakes of Fully with the Mont Blanc massif in the background.
After crossing the pass, the path initially leads down past the large lake "Lac Supérieur de Fully". The lake is a reservoir and stores the water for the hydroelectric power plant near Fully. The power plant started operation in 1915 – a pioneer achievement! For almost 20 years, this plant was considered the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world.
Following the trail further, you get a good impression of the reservoir. Afterwards, the path continues along the steep southern slopes of the Grand Chavalard. Here, hikers enjoy an extraordinary view of the Rhone valley and Fully.
These slopes are the stage for one of the most dramatic sporting events in Valais: the "Kilomètre Vertical de Fully". This race is about overcoming 1,000 meters of altitude. The race course is on an unused funicular railway and leads from the power plant up to an altitude of 1,500 m a.s.l. Athletes pass through vineyard areas, meadows, and forests, as well as a 50-meter-long tunnel. With gradients of 60% and more, it is not surprising that this race is considered one of the steepest and fastest worldwide.
The hike, however, is a bit more leisurely. After crossing the southern slopes of the Grand Chavalard, continue toward the north, and after a short climb, you reach the mountain station of the chairlift, where the circular hike ends.
Highlights of the hike:
- The diverse and varied alpine landscape with beautiful panoramas of Mont Blanc and the Rhone valley.
- The choice to take one or several breaks: there are 3 mountain huts on the way.
- Thermal baths in Ovronnaz to relax tired legs.
Turn-by-turn directions
The starting point is the mountain station of the chairlift (1,490 m a.s.l.) at the Jorasse restaurant, which invites you to stay with a panoramic terrace and a playground. After a short climb, you reach "Petit Pré", where the actual circular hike begins. Follow the path and climb up to the Euloi pasture, which turns into a beautiful lake during the spring snowmelt. Another, rather steep ascent leads up to the Col de Fenestral pass, where you will find a welcoming mountain hut, the Cabane du Fenestral.
After the pass, the path leads down along the lake Lac supérieur de Fully to the mountain hut Cabane de Sorniot (2,064 m a.s.l.). Then the path rises again and leads along the southern slopes of the Grand Chavalard. Once you reach the point "L’Erié", the path turns back north; on this route, you will pass the third mountain hut "Gîte de Lui d’Août" at 1,957 m a.s.l. Shortly thereafter, the circular hike is completed; from Petit Pré you take the same path back up to the Jorasse chairlift.
Start
Mountain station of the Jorasse chairlift (1939m)
Destination
Mountain station of the Jorasse chairlift (1939m)
Author's recommendation
Technical information
Altitude
2453m
1834m
Ascent
+1030m
Descent
-1030m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Approach
Parking
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
