Ovronnaz – Lac de Derborence Mountain Hut

Start at the car park by the chairlift at Ovronnaz.

(S) From there, head for the Route d’Odonne and follow it to the first bend. Take the path on the left to join the Route de l’Avintier (forest road).

(1) Follow it to the right until you cross the Route d’Odonne to reach the Chemin de la Grande Corniche opposite. Continue to Côte 1516.

(2) Turn left onto the forest track (Sentier de la Cabane Rambert), which winds its way up in wide hairpin bends to Côte 1786 (buildings). Continue along the Sentier de la Cabane Rambert. Reach a bridge and cross the Salentse, then continue along the Sentier de la Pierre à Vatseron to the next junction.

(3) Turn right. You will reach Côte 2124 (sheepfold).

(4) The path then follows the course of the Salentse over moraine debris on the left bank as far as Côte 2364.

(5) From there, follow the sign pointing to Cabane Rambert on the right. This is the junction you will reach on the second day, coming down from the Frête de Saille.

(6) On the left, ignore the path leading up to Cabane Rambert. Continue straight on until you reach a fork at elevation 2388. Do not take the path leading down to the right, but carry on straight ahead (quite steep) to the Col de la Forcle at 2543 m, which is the highest point of the hike.

(7) From the pass, you can either cross the Glacier de la Forcle (or what remains of it…) via a direct route through the snow (the slightly quicker option) or go round it to the left on the proper path, leading, one way or another, to Lac de la Forcle at an elevation of 2,451 m. For those who aren’t afraid of the cold, it’s possible to swim in the lake.

(8) From the lake, the route is obvious, with no junctions, and heads north-east, descending gently to the Dorbon mountain pasture lodge (refreshment bar) and the hamlet of La Chaux (elevation 1956).

(9) Continue the descent, following the Dorbonne further on, until you reach a ‘Y’-shaped junction.

(10) Take the right-hand branch to reach the Lac de Derborence refuge (1,468 m), which is visible from the path (E).

On the Swiss National Map, the Col de la Forcle is spelt ‘Col de la Forcla’ on the signposts.

Walking poles may be useful if the Forcle glacier (beyond the pass of the same name) is covered in hard, frozen snow.

Water from streams located upstream of cattle grazing areas can provide a water supply.

You may wish to limit the walking time and elevation gain by taking the chairlift from Ovronnaz. However, this means missing out on a very scenic section of the ascent through the forest and the gradual approach to the Grand Muveran (which is not recommended).

There are numerous herds of Hérens cattle along the route. At the Col de la Forcle, a herd of chamois can sometimes be seen.

The landscape is wild and very rocky after the pass. It softens into the tranquil, restful and somewhat wooded beauty of Lake Derborence. The refuge is accessible on foot only.

A truly stunning panorama of the Swiss Alps.