Arolla – Cabane des Dix

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This fourth stage will take you from the village of Arolla to the Cabane des Dix. The route begins with an ascent through a forest up to the Tsijiores de Nouves mountain pasture. The climb to the Remointse mountain pasture follows a winding path. The Tsijiore Nouve glacier and the Pigne d’Arolla seem very close by. The climb continues to the Col de Riedmatten (the famous pass used by the Patrouille des Glaciers). At the pass, the start of the descent is very steep but secured by chains. The route continues, skirting a lake formed by the meltwater from the Cheilon Glacier. At the Cabane des Dix/Pas du Chat junction, a final climb leads to the Cabane des Dix. To choose between thePas de Chèvres and the Col de Riedmaten, see the ‘Practical Information’ section.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: De Grimentz au Col du Grand Saint Bernard par le chemin des cols alpins

Details

n°110762798
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.72 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,108 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,119 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,688 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,575 ft
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Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 6,575 ft - Arolla – Hôtel du Glacier
  2. 1 : mi 0.07 - alt. 6,611 ft - Sign No. 6
  3. 2 : mi 0.39 - alt. 6,785 ft - Fork in the road
  4. 3 : mi 0.71 - alt. 7,008 ft - Sign No. 6
  5. 4 : mi 0.84 - alt. 7,119 ft - Tsijiores Nouves
  6. 5 : mi 1.67 - alt. 7,887 ft - La Remointse
  7. 6 : mi 3.29 - alt. 9,042 ft - Riedmatten/Pas de Chèvres junction
  8. 7 : mi 3.67 - alt. 9,531 ft - Riedmatten Pass
  9. 8 : mi 5.35 - alt. 8,648 ft - Cabane des Dix/Pas du Chat junction
  10. E : mi 6.72 - alt. 9,544 ft - Cabane des Dix

Notes

This walking route follows the Alpine Passes Trail, which is marked on Swiss maps.

Signposting: at every major junction, you’ll find signposts:
- Sign No. 6 with a No. 6 sticker indicating this trail.
- R sign: Yellow sign with a hiker pictogram

Before setting off, it is advisable to check the Suisse Topo website for any trail closures and diversions. This information is updated in real time.

As well as the Visorando app, you can also download the swisstopo app ( free of charge), where you’ll find this information too.

Transport: Timetables

Weather: before setting off, check the Swiss Weather Service or Météo Blue

Hiking kit, including good walking boots.

Accommodation:

Pas de Chèvres or Col de Riedmaten: The Alpine Passes Trail passes through the Col de Riedmaten.

To head over to the Cabane des Dix, there are two options once you reach the pass.

A webpage with a video shows both routes – the choice is yours!

Other walks in the area

Walking Arolla - La Sage

Visorando Member
Arolla - La Sage
↔6.76 mi ↗+1,644 ft ↘-2,762 ft ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Evolène (Valais)
This ninth stage is more relaxing than the previous ones. Many hikers skip this section by taking a bus transfer from Arolla to La Sage or Villa. Although short and easy, this stage really has its place in the route. The trail passes by Lac Bleu and crosses the beautiful hamlet of La Gouille, typical of the Val d'Hérens, then the villages of Les Haudères and La Sage. From La Gouille to Les Haudères, the trail follows the "La Borgne d'Arolla" torrent. In the centre of Les Haudères, a sign indicates the path that climbs up to the village of La Sage.

Walking Arolla – Prarayer Mountain Hut

Visorando Member
↔10.60 mi ↗+3,701 ft ↘-3,727 ft ◔8h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Evolène (Valais)
This is the longest stage of the route but presents no difficulties other than its length and the elevation gain. The section across the glacier can be avoided by taking the moraines, which allow you to climb more directly to the right (see the route map).

Walking Arolla - Prarayer Refuge

Visorando Member
Arolla - Refuge de Prarayer
↔10.43 mi ↗+3,970 ft ↘-3,871 ft ◔10 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Evolène (Valais)
Today's high mountain stage requires the use of crampons to cross the Arolla glacier. This long stage requires an early start.

Walking Circular route to the Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges via Lac Bleu

Visorando Member
Cabane des Aiguilles rouges en boucle par le Lac Bleu
↔8.65 mi ↗+3,914 ft ↘-3,894 ft ◔7h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Evolène (Valais)
A lovely circular hike with magnificent scenery. Among the highlights of the hike are theview of the Aiguilles Rouges (a striking rocky landscape), theview of the glaciers throughout the descent, thefragrantforestsof larch and European larch, and a brief stop at Lac Bleu with its intense blue colour (and its many tourists)

Walking Lac Bleu near Arolla Val d’Hérens

Visorando Member
Le Lac Bleu près d'Arolla Val d'Hérens
↔2.41 mi ↗+984 ft ↘-991 ft ◔2h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Evolène (Valais)
A small, turquoise-blue lake, surrounded by Swiss stone pines and venerable larch trees – this is the destination of your hike. With views of the peaks as a bonus. You’ll pass through hamlets with magnificent wooden chalets featuring slate roofs. A cosy Valais-style café and restaurant awaits you beside the lake. This route is short, but you’ll get a good workout given the elevation gain.

Walking Cabane des Dix - Arolla

Visorando Member
Cabane des Dix - Arolla
↔6.72 mi ↗+974 ft ↘-3,934 ft ◔3h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Hérémence (Valais)
This eighth stage takes place in high mountains and, depending on the season, may involve crossing snowfields. From the Cabane des Dix, return to the Pas de Chèvres / Col de Riedmaten junction. Return to the Pas de Chèvres after a long passage through scree and large boulders. Ladders provide access to the Pas des Chèvres. The descent to Arolla follows a good path. Views of Mont Collon and Pigne d'Arolla.Pas de Chèvres or Col de Riedmaten? See the "Practical information" section.

Walking Cabane des Dix – Prafleuri Hut

Visorando Member
↔7.23 mi ↗+1,919 ft ↘-2,756 ft ◔5h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Hérémence (Valais)
This fifth stage will take you from the Cabane des Dix to the Cabane de Prafleuri. The route begins with a steep descent to Lac des Dix. This lake is held back by the Grande Dixence dam, the highest in the world. The route then follows the lake’s shore to the junction leading to the private Ecoulaies hut and on to the Col des Roux. At the pass, the descent leads quickly to the Prafleuri Hut.

Walking Circular Ferpecle and views of the glaciers

Visorando Member
↔3.19 mi ↗+722 ft ↘-722 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Evolène (Valais)
A short hike/walk around Ferpecle with views of the Swiss glaciers halfway along the route. The route starts in the heart of the mountains, with accessible car parks on several levels. You can also take a bus. There is a slight incline and a section alongside the dam. You’re bound to come across some cows (very friendly ones). Please do open the gates – they’re there to stop the animals from escaping.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.