Snowshoeing

01. Parcours Champoussin - Frâchette

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Champoussin

-6/-3°

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This snowshoe hike offers panoramic views over the Dents du Midi and the Vaud Alps and the chance to stop at a quaint alpine restaurant.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

5.9 km

Duration

2:45 h
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Description

This itinerary begins at 1,600 metres altitude near the quaint village of Champoussin, at one of the high points in the Illiez Valley. It offers unparalleled views of the Dents du Midi mountain range, the Vaud Alps and the Rhône plain as it meanders through snowy pastures and tranquil forests. Near the end of the route, you’ll see the picturesque Champoussin Chapel and will have the opportunity to stop for a delicious meal of local specialties on a sunny restaurant terrace.

Turn-by-turn directions

Departure from the large car park at the entrance to Champoussin (to your right when you arrive), following the pink snowshoe signs marked with the number 1 (SwissMobile nr 401).

Cross the bridge and follow the river to the right. Walk along the hillside, taking in the spectacular views of the Dents du Midi, Rhone Valley and the Vaud Alps along the way. At the place called Sur Crête, continue on and up to the right, following a relatively steep path leading to Frâchette, where you’ll find a covered picnic area, a WC and one of the best viewpoints of our iconic mountain range.

Leaving Frâchette, walk along the ridge to the right towards the picturesquely named Gouille aux Sangliers, or Boars’ Pond. Turn right and descend towards Champoussin, crossing a second wooden bridge and a ski slope. From here, you will head up the slope to the Chez Gaby restaurant. Return to the car park by skirting the edge of the Sepaya ski slope.

Start

Champoussin, entrance of the village (1522m)

Destination

Champoussin, entrance of the village (1522m)

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Author's recommendation

The Restaurant du Virage and the quaint Auberge Chez Gaby 1670, famed for its magnificent cowbell collection, both offer panoramic views from their terraces while the Ferme à Gaby is a must for its home-made alpine cheeses.

Technical information

Altitude

1663m

1411m

Ascent

+366m

Descent

-366m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

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

Tags

  • Round trip
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Public transport friendly

At the train station in Aigle, take the AOMC train direction Champéry and get off in Val-d'Illiez. Then take the bus direction Champoussin until the "Télésiège stop". Timetable on www.cff.ch or www.tpc.ch 

Approach

Highway A9 Lausanne-Sion, exit St-Triphon. Follow "Pas-de-Morgins/Monthey", take the tunnel "Route de la Vallée" until Troistorrents. In Troistorrents, at the round-about, follow Champéry/Val-d'Illiez. In Val-d'Illiez, at the round-about, follow "Champoussin" on the right. 

Parking

At the entrance to Champoussin: the snowshoe parking area is on the right-hand side of the road, opposite the first ski lift parking lot.

Equipment

We recommend:   
  • Good, waterproof footwear
  • Snowshoes
  • hikingpoles
  • clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
  • hat or cap
  • sunscreen
  • bottle for water, picnic
  • camera
  • printout of this hike (click “Print” icon, top right, to download)

Safety information

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ 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.  
  • Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on “Print” icon, top right of this page.
  • Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
  • Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals. Do not leaveanywaste in nature.
  • Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
  • Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
  • Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertainweather, turn back in good time.
  • Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
  • Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger, especially the danger of avalanches.

Additional information

APIDAE tourism data updated on 17/03/2023 by "Région Dents du Midi SA".
Spotted an error? Write to the owner with the following information:
File name: 01. Parcours Champoussin - Frâchette | Record identifier: 876469 | URL (link) for this Outdooractive page.

Literature

The Région Dents du Midi tourist offices offers brochures and information on hiking in the region: download it for free under www.regiondentsdumidi.ch or CHF 5.- for the paper version.

Maps

SwissTopoMaps: 1:50'000: 272 St-Maurice

Source

This activity is brought to you by Région Dents du Midi. Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.

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