Trail running

Via Valais Cabane d’Essertze - Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges (Stage 2)

Durchqueren Sie Mondlandschaften und laufen Sie entlang von schneebedeckten Gipfeln.

Hérémence

7/16°

Thirty kilometres long and 1,783 metres high, this second leg of the Via Valais takes you from hut to hut in the heart of an exceptional alpine landscape.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

31.25 km

Duration

6:25 h
Durchqueren Sie Mondlandschaften und laufen Sie entlang von schneebedeckten Gipfeln.
Der Weg beginnt durch die Sträucher oberhalb des Val d'Hérémence.
Die Alp Mandelon

Description

Start this second leg by crossing the pastures above Hérémence before quickly reaching Grande Dixence, the highest gravity dam in the world. The path which then runs along the Lac des Dix is fairly wide and relatively flat. The ease of the first few kilometres is soon interrupted by a rugged landscape and a very steep climb leading to the Pas de Chèvres. through glacial moraine, scree slopes and rocks, especially below the Mont Blanc de Cheilon. To facilitate the crossing between the valleys, the Pas de Chèvres has been equipped with a series of stairs and ladders. Once over the pass, take advantage of this leg’s unique descent to increase your pace and admire the splendid view of the valley below. A final climb takes you to the Aiguilles Rouges hut, perched at 2,810 metres, and which offers delicious home-made tarts.

Turn-by-turn directions

From the Essertze hut, the path takes you over the Grande Dixence dam and continues for seven kilometres along a flat stretch of Lake Dix. The route becomes significantly steeper on the path leading to the Pas de Chèvre. Follow the markers and cairns used as markers to help runners find their way through the rocks of the former Cheilon glacier. There are several ladders and stairs for crossing the Pas de Chèvres. On the other side of the pass, the Val d'Hérens opens up over Arolla with magnificent paths leading you through the Pra Gra mountain pasture to the Aiguilles Rouges hut.

 

Cabane d'Essertze - Lac de Dix - Pas de Chèvres - Pra Gra - Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges

Start

Cabane d’Essertze (2197m)

Destination

Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges (2831m)

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Author's recommendation

Follow these tips should you encounter guard dogs protecting their herds: http://www.protectiondestroupeaux.ch

Technical information

Altitude

2859m

2135m

Ascent

+1547m

Descent

-904m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

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

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Multi-stage route
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Insider tip
  • Family-friendly
  • Cultural/historical interest
  • Flora
Getting there
Information

Public transport

For the 1st Stage Via Valais : Take the train to Martigny station, then to Le Châble. Take a first gondola lift between Le Châble and Verbier, then a second one from Verbier to Les Ruinettes in order to get to the start of the trail.

Approach

For the 1st Stage Via Valais : Take the A9/E62 motorway to Martigny, then continue on the Grand-Saint-Bernard/route 21 via Sembrancher to Le Châble.

It is advisable to use public transport however as this is a multi-leg route that ends in Zermatt.

Parking

For the 1st Stage Via Valais : 240 free parking spaces are available at the Le Châble Aerial Cableway station for a maximum of 10 days.

Equipment

We recommend: 

  • Good footwear
  • Weather-appropriate clothing: always carry a waterproof jacket
  • Hat or peak cap
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle
  • Hiking poles

Safety information

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at your own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.

 

For all trails:

  • Use marked trails only, and take note of all signposting – for both your own safety as well as that of grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
  • Close gates after passing through.
  • Please treat other trail users, as well as the plants and animals, with respect.

 

For mountain trails:

  • Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at high altitudes. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
  • Plan your trail carefully: take the fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season into consideration.
  • Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In case of uncertain weather conditions, turn back in good time.
  • Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
  • Take note of warning signs indicating the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.

Additional information

More information about the destination:

Literature

The tourist office in Evolène will provide information regarding trail running in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo Maps:

1:50’000 : 5003 Mont Blanc – Grand Combin 

1:50’000 : 5006 Matterhorn – Mischabel

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

Other itineraries

8.64 km 3:20 h Intermediate
Hikes

Sentier des bouquetins

Hérémence

Die Staumauer Grande Dixence
View of the Cervo hotel with the Matterhorn in the background, Zermatt. Valais, Switzerland.

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