Cabane de Chanrion - Crête Sèche refuge

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This description differs from the classic Combins tour. This route is not recommended in bad weather. It offers an alternative off the beaten track via the Refuge de Crête Seiche. The atmosphere is alpine, requiring a good level of experience on stony paths and snowfields. The distance may seem short and the elevation gain low, but it is a difficult stage.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: A route around the Combins massif

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.24 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,218 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,448 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,626 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7,579 ft
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Photos

Crête Seiche Pass.
Crossing the torrent.
Starting from the Chanrion Hut.

Description of the walk

(S) From the Cabane Chanrion, let yourself slide down to the rhythm of the marmots' whistles. After about 200 m heading south, you will reach a crossroads of paths

(1) Take the path on the left and join the Route de Mauvoisin towards Itro Neu. Take it on the left and continue downhill until you reach a large building just before two small lakes.

(2) Leave the road here and turn almost 180° onto a wide, almost horizontal path. After a long traverse, you will reach the dam on the Ruisseau de la Dranse de Bagnes.

(3) Turn again almost 180° to the right to begin a long climb up the Vallon d'Ayace, following the left bank of a stream flowing down from the Crête Sèche Glacier. Reach the foot of the pass and finish the climb with a final rocky and very steep section. Use your hands to help you at times to reach the Col de Crête Sèche.

(4) First descend into a ravine to Plan De Sabbia.

(5) Continue across alpine meadows to reach the Crête Sèche refuge (E), your destination for the day.

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 8,074 ft - Cabane de Chanrion
  2. 1 : mi 0.16 - alt. 7,976 ft - Crossroads
  3. 2 : mi 0.69 - alt. 7,680 ft - Crossroads - Building
  4. 3 : mi 1.65 - alt. 7,822 ft - Dam on the Dranse de Bagnes
  5. 4 : mi 3.82 - alt. 9,469 ft - Col de Crête Sèche (2896)
  6. 5 : mi 4.66 - alt. 8,540 ft - Pian della Sabbia
  7. E : mi 5.24 - alt. 7,825 ft - Rifugio Crête Sèche

Notes

(4) The Col de Crête Sèche marks the border between Switzerland and Italy.

Worth a visit

Other walks in the area

Walking Crête Sèche Refuge - Ollomont

Visorando Member
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↔7.76 mi ↗+2,713 ft ↘-6,086 ft ◔5h 55 ▲Very difficult
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This last stage takes place in an alpine setting. It justifies the choice of this alternative to the classic Tour des Combins. Unfortunately, the consequences of climate change are evident. The glaciers mentioned on the map no longer exist. Only rock piles remain. From the Col du Mont Gelé, the highest point of this trek, you must pay close attention to the path marked by cairns to follow on the descent. The position of these cairns is sometimes erratic. The end of this stage ends with a long and very steep descent, which can be avoided by staying on the pastoral road.

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Walking Cabane des Dix - Arolla

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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 Panossière Hut - Chanrion Hut

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↔9.72 mi ↗+3,921 ft ↘-4,501 ft ◔7h 55 ▲Very difficult
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This is a fairly long stage but set against a magnificent backdrop. The Mauvoisin dam is impressive, as are all the waterfalls along the right bank of the lake. The route passes through the easy and beautiful Tsofeiret Pass.

Walking La Léchère - Prarayer Refuge

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La Léchère - Refuge de Prarayer
↔2.77 mi ↗+515 ft ↘-472 ft ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
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A warm-up walk along the right bank of the lake to reach the Prarayer refuge.

Walking Tour of the Matterhorn

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↔97.02 mi ↗+38,215 ft ↘-37,972 ft ◔10 days ▲Difficult
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This 10-day tour of the Matterhorn is remarkable. It allows you to walk alongside the 4,000-metre peaks of this Alpine range every day. Located in two countries, Italy and Switzerland, it also allows you to familiarise yourself with three European languages: Italian, German and French in the Valais region of Switzerland. Important note: Two stages of this route take place partly on glaciers. It is highly advisable to bring crampons and a rope for maximum safety. Crampons will make it easier to walk, and the rope can be used to form a rope team to secure the participants.

Walking From the Cabane du Vélan to Bourg-Saint-Pierre

Visorando Member
De la Cabane du Vélan à Bourg-Saint-Pierre
↔4.57 mi ↗+282 ft ↘-3,471 ft ◔2h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bourg-Saint-Pierre (Valais)
The second stage of this hike starts at the Cabane du Vélan and follows the right bank of the Valsorey torrent.

Walking Ollomont - Dzovennoz

Visorando Member
Ollomont - Dzovennoz
↔9.22 mi ↗+4,180 ft ↘-3,724 ft ◔7h 55 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Ollomont (Aosta Valley)
We leave the "TDC" to follow Alta Via No. 1 in the Aosta Valley until it crosses the road leading to Bionaz. In the old village, above the church and near a fountain, the trail marked Col de Breuson (Brison) begins. Hike with a brief description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

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