Trient – Finhaut

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This fourth stage will take you from Trient to the village of Finhaut. The route begins with a challenging climb to the Pas des Moutons, which offers a view of the Trient Glacier. The ascent continues to the Alpe de Catogne, from where the Emosson Dam is clearly visible. A long descent leads to Le Chatelard. As there is no accommodation in Le Chatelard or at the Emosson Dam, the final section of the route leaves the Chemin des Cols Alpin to reach the village of Finhaut.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: From the Grand St-Bernard Pass to Saint-Gingolph via the Alpine Passes Trail

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.04 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,875 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,973 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,798 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,074 ft
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Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 4,203 ft - Trient – Auberge du Mont Blanc
  2. 1 : mi 0.41 - alt. 4,268 ft - Sign No. 6
  3. 2 : mi 0.95 - alt. 4,386 ft - Hiking sign
  4. 3 : mi 2.25 - alt. 6,342 ft - Sign No. – Les Tseppes
  5. 4 : mi 3.2 - alt. 6,775 ft - Sign No. 6
  6. 5 : mi 3.42 - alt. 6,578 ft - Sign No. – Catogne
  7. 6 : mi 4.16 - alt. 5,886 ft - Sign No. 6
  8. 7 : mi 4.34 - alt. 5,705 ft - Les Preises
  9. 8 : mi 5.11 - alt. 5,030 ft - Sign No. 6
  10. 9 : mi 5.85 - alt. 4,344 ft - Sign No. 6 – Cretton
  11. 10 : mi 6.44 - alt. 3,747 ft - Sign No. 6
  12. 11 : mi 6.52 - alt. 3,701 ft - Sign No. 6 – Barmarosse
  13. 12 : mi 6.89 - alt. 3,711 ft - Hiking sign
  14. 13 : mi 7.51 - alt. 3,583 ft - Trouléro
  15. 14 : mi 7.54 - alt. 3,589 ft - On the left
  16. 15 : mi 8.01 - alt. 3,271 ft - Friteley
  17. 16 : mi 8.17 - alt. 3,153 ft - Hiking sign
  18. E : mi 9.04 - alt. 4,104 ft - Finhaut – Hôtel Les Alpes

Notes

This hiking route follows the Chemin des cols alpins, which is marked on Swiss maps.

Signposting: at every major junction, you will 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:

Other walks in the area

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Association / Club / Walk leader
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Walking Along the Bisse du Trient

Visorando Member
Promenade le long du Bisse du Trient
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Starting from Col de la Forclaz (1527m), a short and easy out-and-back walk along the Bisse du Trient (irrigation channel) to the Chalet du Glacier (1583m), which offers a fine view of the Glacier du Trient and the Petite Pointe d'Orny (3187m). ⚠️ Part of the trail has been damaged by a landslide. Bypassing is possible, but the walk is not accessible for baby carriages and wheelchairs (see practical info).

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↔1.88 mi ↗+1,404 ft ↘-1,434 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Valais
Short loop to visit the Grotte aux Nymphes. Well-equipped and mainly shaded trail. The descent to the Grotte aux Nymphes is steep. The climb back up is gentler. You can do this hike in the opposite direction if you prefer a slow descent and a steep climb. Please note: in summer 2025, the Grotte aux Nymphes was not accessible due to construction work.

Walking Finhaut – Cabane du Vieux Emosson

Visorando Member
↔6.52 mi ↗+4,045 ft ↘-1,024 ft ◔6h 30 ▲Difficult
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This fifth stage will take you from Finhaut to the Cabane du Vieux Emosson. From Finhaut, the route follows the small road to Giétroz to rejoin the Chemin des Cols Alpins. From Giétroz, a fairly steep climb leads to the Col de la Gueulaz. The route continues with a descent to the Emosson Dam, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Mont Blanc massif. The stage ends at Vieux Emosson, following a geological trail in the footsteps of the dinosaurs.

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Visorando Member
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Visorando Member
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A superb circular French-Swiss for experienced walkers.The beauty of the landscapes in absolute silence will make you forget everything.Add to that a leap back in time several million years and you'll feel like you're walking on air. ⚠️ 16/12/2025: closure of a section of the Barberine forest (between (S/E) and (1)). See decree. Detour possible.

Walking Col de Balme - Source de l'Arve - Col des Posettes from Le Tour

Visorando Member
↔2.88 mi ↗+82 ft ↘-1,204 ft ◔1h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Haute-Savoie)
A short summer hike with exceptional panoramic views over the Chamonix valley and its massifs. There are several ways to approach it from Le Tour: the one shown is from the East, using the Charamillon cable car and the Autannes chairlift. The return journey is via the Charamillon cable car.

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