Louvie Hut - Prafleuri Hut

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The second stage of the route involves crossing two passes, the Louvie and the Prafleuri, both of which were snow-covered.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Trek from Fionay to Saas-Fee

Details

n°105320
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.16 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 8 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,067 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 641 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,979 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,207 m
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Photos

Under the Great Desert
Ibex

Description of the walk

(S) Go around Lake Louvie on its right bank (i.e. on the left in the direction of travel). At the end of the lake, head almost constantly north.

(1) Continue on this good path, which is still marked White Red White (BRB). At elevation 2418, find a path that leads to Plan da Gole on the right.

(2) Ignore this path and continue west. You will reach a new crossroads at an elevation of 2628 metres.

(3) Join the trail coming from the Termin Pass and the one called Chamonix-Zermatt Walker's Route.
Take it on the right; it now joins the Alpenpässe-Weg trail followed from Louvie. Gradually head northeast and, in a very rocky landscape, pass in front of Lac du Petit Mont-Fort.

(4) Finish the ascent of the Col de Louvie.

(5) Begin the descent to quickly discover the Grand Désert glacier on the right, then cross the glacial lakes created by this glacier heading east.

(6) Begin a short ascent of the Col de Prafleuri. Reach this pass, which, at 2,987 metres, is the highest point of the day.

(7) Continue east, then south, then south-east, and descend to reach the wide plain below the Prafleuri hut.

To end the day, reach this hut (E) via a final, short but steep climb.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 2,223 m - Louvie Hut
  2. 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 2,207 m - End of Lake Louvie
  3. 2 : km 1.74 - alt. 2,427 m - Plan da Gole crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 2,624 m - Carrefour Col Termin
  5. 4 : km 4.44 - alt. 2,750 m - Lac du Petit Mont-Fort
  6. 5 : km 5.14 - alt. 2,916 m - Col de Louvie
  7. 6 : km 6.2 - alt. 2,810 m - Glacial lakes
  8. 7 : km 8.22 - alt. 2,967 m - Prafleuri Pass
  9. E : km 10.16 - alt. 2,649 m - Prafleuri Hut

Notes

Water is available everywhere, but be aware that it comes from glaciers, so it is very cold and can cause some discomfort.
There is no shelter on this route.

Please note: we did this route in mid-July and the passes were snow-covered, particularly the Col de Prafleuri. Although the trail had been marked out (it is a particularly popular route), in these conditions it is only suitable for experienced hikers, even in good weather. If weather conditions are unfavourable, it is advisable to wait, as this stage, although short, is demanding.

Worth a visit

This is a high mountain area characterised by its mineral nature.
The Grand Désert glacier has unfortunately shrunk considerably, according to a friend of mine who made the first crossing some twenty years ago.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Netra
Netra ★

Hello Prafeluri, and thank you for your comments.

I'm sorry to read about the inconveniences you encountered on this hike. If the route was changed on the spot, you'll probably have to change the route on Visorando and adapt the description. When the author reads your message, he'll see what can be done, and your indications will be useful.

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Prafleuri
Prafleuri

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The route of the Grand Désert between points 5 and 6 has changed. The markings are badly indicated and five groups (a dozen people) didn't know which direction to take (despite the fine weather). Those who chose to follow the old route had to cross two torrents, looking for a crossing point and taking unnecessary risks. You need to head completely west of the lake (on the left of the map); the markings reappear along the shore... There is a ford, which is very well laid out, to cross the stream as it flows westwards.
The route shown on the IGN map is therefore incorrect. According to the Chamonix to Zermatt guidebook by Kev Reynolds, the same error appears on the LS 1:50000 and Kümmerley + Frey 1:60000 maps.
You then have to climb up to a false col, descend 80/100 metres, then climb back up to the real col de Prafleuri. The route therefore involves 3 passes rather than two. All this on scree that requires the use of your hands to a greater or lesser extent and slows down the walk.
As for the walking times (5h30 ???), they don't correspond to the times achieved by most of the (moderately trained) hikers I've seen and asked. In general, including stops (but not that many), the average time observed is between 8 and 9 hours from the Louvié hut, and between 9 and 10.30 from the Mont Fort hut (from where I personally set off), a route which joins the route of the hike 450 metres above the Louvié hut... Hence the importance of setting off early.
As for the final 25/30 metre climb up to the hut, it's derisory after all that's gone before.

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aumolok
aumolok

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent itinerary in the off-season, with not a soul to be seen apart from a few ibexes in a group and pairs of bearded vultures and eagles. The marmots were already in winter mode.
The first day's walk from Fionnay to the Prafleuri hut took around 8 hours and covered 1,800m of ascent.
The Louvie hut had been closed since the previous weekend, so the route had to be extended a little. Not a difficult route for trained hikers. Magnificent view of the Combin massif and its reflection on Lac de Louvie.
Prafleuri hut closed, winter refuge open but no water.
The second day from Prafleuri to Arolla is an easy 7-hour walk along Lac des Dix.
At the Pas du Chat follow the Cabane des Dix, it seems that the old route along the right bank is no longer practicable despite a magnificent bridge that can be misleading; the fork to the hut is near the ladders to the Pas de Chèvre.
The descent to Arolla is a little long, but the view of the surrounding peaks makes you forget the effort.
This route is part of Swiss Mobile's route no. 6 "Chemin des cols alpins" https://www.schweizmobil.ch/fr/suisse-a-...

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Other walks in the area

Walking Louvie Hut - Prafleuri Hut

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