Trail running

Val Ferret from La Fouly

Trailrunning in Val Ferret

La Fouly

-1/5°

Located in the heart of Val Ferret, this route offers breathtaking views over the Italian-Swiss valley and the pointed mountains that loom above it.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

21.41 km

Duration

4:38 h
Trailrunning in Val Ferret
Zwei Trailrunnerinnen auf einem Pfad im Val Ferret.
Beim Trailrunning können Sie herrliche Landschaften entdecken.

Description

At the village exit of La Fouly, a path leads up to the Petit Col Ferret. At the Léchère hostel, the path makes a sharp curve and the grass-covered meadows quickly give way to the rocky world of the Taves du Dolent. Under the imposing Mont Dolent, you reach the first pass, offering spectacular views of Val Ferret and the Grandes Jorasses. Cross the Italian side, where you run through wide grassy areas before crossing back onto Swiss territory over the Grand Col Ferret. The descent follows the famous route of the Tour du Mont Blanc to Alp la Peule. From the hut, you make a short, relatively steep climb before running back down towards the valley, where the path crosses numerous bridges to explore both sides of the Dranse.

Turn-by-turn directions

From La Fouly, the path goes up towards the Léchère hostel. From the hostel, the path steadily curves sharply up to the Petit Col Ferret pass, which is a crossing into Italy, while the Grand Col Ferret pass allows return into Switzerland. Back in Switzerland, the path descends to the Alp la Peule. There follows a short but steep climb, then the path goes downhill again to the Torrent des Peaux and turns just before Mont Percé. It goes through the Ars Dessus before crossing the grass-covered slope of the Ravines des Ars. The descent continues towards Ferret, where you can cross the river and follow the Dranse to return to La Fouly.

La Fouly - Léchère - Petit Col Ferret - Grand Col Ferret - Alp la Peule - Torrent des Peaux - Les Ars Dessus - Ferret - La Fouly

Start

La Fouly (1606m)

Destination

La Fouly (1605m)

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Author's recommendation

Make a stop at Alp la Peule to enjoy a good espresso and delicious cheese. Open from mid-June to mid-September.

Technical information

Altitude

2558m

1606m

Ascent

+1281m

Descent

-1281m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Insider tip
  • Round trip
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Cultural/historical interest
  • Flora
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Take the train to Martigny, change to the regional train to Sembrancher, and then another to Orsières, from where a bus runs towards Ferret to La Fouly.

Approach

Drive on the A9 motorway to Martigny, then continue on the Route des Grand-Saint-Bernard towards Orsières. Follow Som-la-Proz, Issert, Branche-d'en-Bas, and Prayon before reaching La Fouly and continuing onto the Route de Ferret.

Parking

Parking is available along the Route de Ferret in La Fouly.

Equipment

We recommend:

  • Good running shoes
  • Weather-appropriate clothing: always carry a waterproof vest
  • Headwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle
  • Trail poles

Safety information

Use of the trails and information on this website is at your own risk. Local conditions might cause changes to the route. Valais/Wallis Promotion does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this website.

For all trails:

  • Only use marked trails and observe all signs and instructions—for your own safety, to protect grazing animals, and out of respect for wildlife.
  • Close gates after passing through.
  • Be considerate of other trail users, plants, and animals.

For mountain trails:

  • Carry extra sunscreen. UV rays can be very strong at high altitudes, even on cloudy days.
  • Plan your trail carefully: consider the required fitness level of all participants, weather forecasts, and seasonal conditions.
  • Weather conditions in the mountains can change very quickly and without warning. Appropriate clothing and provisions (food and drink) are important. In unstable weather, it is better to turn back early.
  • Inform your family about your trail route. Avoid going alone if possible.
  • Observe warning signs that indicate dangers at riverbanks, along waterways below dams and reservoirs: water levels can rise quickly and without warning.

Additional information

More information about the destination: La Fouly

Literature

The tourist office in La Fouly provides information about trail running in the destination.

Maps

SwissTopo maps: 1:25,000: 1345 Orsières / 1365 Gd-St-Bernard

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

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