Tour du cervin day 10: Arolla - Refuge de Prarayer (Prarayer Shelter)

A high mountain stage which requires hiking boots with crampons to cross the Arolla glacier. You should get an early start for this long stage of the hike.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: The Matterhorn Tour

Technical sheet

n°4098432

Caution, this route is Very difficult

This route requires a long and/or intense effort, either because of the difference in altitude or the distance involved, or both. In certain situations, there is also the possibility of technical and aerial sections.

A Evolène walk posted on 31/03/15 by Tamtraductions. Last update : 21/05/16

Activity: Walking
Distance: 16.78 km
Author’s time: 10 hrs
Difficulty: Very difficult
Return to departure point: No
Vertical gain: + 1,206 m
Vertical drop: - 1,167 m
Highest point: 3,089 m
Lowest point: 1,969 m

Area: Alps
District: Evolène
Start: N 46.021578° / E 7.481769°
End: N 45.921091° / E 7.533053°
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Description

We'll be ending this trek constantly heading due south.

Take the large trail (S) heading towards the valley and reaching a large square used for storing hydraulics materiel (1). Then start an uphill climb towards Bertol shelter(2).

Continue on the other side, taking advantage of the handrails alongside the rocks leading to the end of the glacier which is nothing more than a scree nowadays (3).

Then set off on a long walk following the cairns and weather station sign posts. When you get to the trail crossing (4) ignore the left-hand trail leading to Bouquetins shelter, clearly visible. Take a right, passing the moraine and reaching the glacier (5). Put the crampons on now as it's going to get slippery, heading over a relatively easy crossing reaching Collon Pass, highest point of the stage (3069 m) (6).

Keep to this level at the beginning of the descent, walk along the glacier and at the next turn (7), start your long hike downhill. Leave the trail leading to the Nacamulli shelter to the right (8), keep heading south passing two sites called Grand Place (9) and Grand Oren (10) before finding Place à Moulin Lake at Praz Mondzou Desot (11).

Start the final stretch which today ends at Prarayer shelter (13).

"After a delicious evening meal, a fabulous night and an equally exquisite breakfast, the time has come to make your way back to the car park, to do so, refer yourself to the first stage description and ... head in the opposite direction."

Waypoints

S : km 0 - alt. 1,969 m
1 : km 2.51 - alt. 2,116 m
2 : km 4.41 - alt. 2,520 m
3 : km 6.37 - alt. 2,592 m
4 : km 7.95 - alt. 2,813 m
5 : km 8.46 - alt. 2,868 m
6 : km 9.93 - alt. 3,089 m
7 : km 10.31 - alt. 3,066 m
8 : km 11.67 - alt. 2,806 m
9 : km 13.92 - alt. 2,335 m
10 : km 15.38 - alt. 2,164 m
11 : km 16.12 - alt. 2,043 m
E : km 16.78 - alt. 2,005 m

Useful Information

It's the last stage of the hike. Probably the most difficult as it's long and at least an hour is spent on the glacier which isn't easy for those of you not used to working with crampons. However this stage gives you the chance to get close to the mountain and explore the wanders that nature has moulded at these heights.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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During the walk or to do/see around

Beautiful statue at Collon Pass

Other walks in the area

Valais Day 4: Refuge de la Sage - Cabane Bella Tola (La Sage Lodge - Bella Tola Hut)

Departure from Evolène (Valais)

A long climb to Torrent Pass before reaching Moiry Lake, then Saint-Luc by bus, Tignousa by cable car and finally Bella Tola by foot.
Think about correcting the distance indicated by points (5) et (6) : you need to deduct 10 km.

Valais Day 3: Cabane de Prafleuri - Gîte de La Sage (Prafleuri Hut - La Sage Lodge)

Departure from Hérémence (Valais)

An unusual stage today: it starts with a downhill hike before a long climb uphill, a second descent and a ski lift ride followed by a walk over flatland and a bus ride to the lodge.

The Matterhorn Tour Day 2: Prarayer Refuge - Perrucco Vuillermoz Refuge

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Stage starting in pasture which quickly heads into the high mountains passing through the Valcornera pass.

Trek from Fionay to Saas-Fee

Departure from Bagnes (Valais)

In the Swiss valley, this particularly pleasant hike allows you to explore the many 4000 m peaks that surround the route.

N.B. this route is outlined on Openmap which doesn't have the details of our fine IGN maps. Before being able to get your hands on a Swiss map, which are more precise, the route and GPS layouts will be handy for this pleasant trek.

Valais Day 1: Fionay - Cabane de Louvie (Louvie Hut)

Departure from Bagnes (Valais)

First stage of this trek linking Fionay village to Saas Fee. A pleasant stage reaching Louvie Hut (la Cabane de Louvie) built on the edge of Louvie Lake.

The Matterhorn Tour

Departure from Bionaz (Aosta Valley)

Undertaken over 10 days, this circuit around the Matterhorn is outstanding. Each day it takes you over the 4000 m peaks of this alpine range. As it is located in 2 countries, Italy and Switzerland, it also brings you into contact with three European languages: Italian, German and also French in Valais in Switzerland.