Winter hiking

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Winter hiking

Chemin de l'Aiguille open

Feast your eyes on the magnificent Dents du Midi mountains and sample one of Switzerland’s most famous specialties: Rösti!

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Perched an altitude of 1,800 meters, between the villages of Champoussin and Les Crosets in the Illiez Valley, this lovely ramble provides breathtaking views of the Dents du Midi massif and the Vaud Alps. From the highest point, at Pas de Croisette, you will enjoy an uninterrupted view of the surrounding peaks, including the entire Dents Blanches massif and the iconic Pointe de l'Au peak. Along the way you may see paragliders taking off under the Croix de l'Aiguille and, at the halfway point, the sunny terrace at the Relais Panoramique restaurant tempts hikers to stop for a refreshing drink or a bite to eat.

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Turn-by-turn directions

Set off from the Frâchette covered picnic area, on the road just before the village of Champoussin, following the pink winter hiking trail signs marked with the number 15 (Swiss Mobile No. 901).

Walk along a wide, well-groomed path towards Les Crosets and the Croix de l'Aiguille. At the snowshoe trail crossroads, stay on the main axis which continues straight on the flat. A little further on, where the groomed path splits, take the trail that goes up in switchbacks to the right, passing just under the summit of the Croix de l'Aiguille. Continue to the left on the groomed path to the crossroads at Pas de Croisette. From there, continue straight on to the Relais Panoramique restaurant. To return, head back down to the hamlet of Crêté Borney. In the hairpin bend, take the groomed, flat path back to your starting point.

Start: Champoussin, Bus stop "Frâchette" (1585 m)
Destination: Champoussin, Bus stop "Frâchette" (1585 m)

Author's recommendation

You won’t want to miss the exceptional selection of Rösti at the Relais Panoramique restaurant (reservations are recommended).

Technical information

  • Altitude

    1844 m 1585 m

  • Ascent

    260 m

  • Descent

    260 m

  • Technique

    Bewertung: 2 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Stamina

    Bewertung: 3 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Experience

    Bewertung: 5 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Landscape

    Bewertung: 6 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

Best time of year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Scenic
  • Fauna
  • Round trip
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Family-friendly
  • Way cleared
  • Groomed snow

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 stop "Frâchette". 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. The starting point at the "Frâchette" picnic area is just before the entrance to Champoussin village.

Parking

Parking along the road, in front of the picnic area (where the road is wide enough).

Equipment

We recommend:  

  • goodfootwear
  • clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
  • hat or cap
  • sunscreen
  • bottle for water, picnic
  • camera
  • hikingpoles (optional)
  • 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.
  • Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible, avoid going alone.

Additional information

More information about the destination: https://www.regiondentsdumidi.ch

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