Dates for private tours: Middle of June – End of September
- Date for guided tour: 30st of May – 4th of June 2024
- 5 hiking days, 4 nights
“Dream of nature? Come life the nature dream!”
Discover this wonderful, untouched hiking tour in the Swiss Valais region.
Hike at your own pace. Stop for a snack where ever you wish. Let yourself be surprised by exceptional landscapes. Stay overnight in hospitable typical mountain accommodations.
This multi-day hiking tour almost entirely around Dents du Midi starts in Van d’en Haut a hamlet above Martigny in the Swiss Rhone Valley of Valais.
These 7 vertiginous summits, all over 3,000 metres high, dominated by the Haute Cime (3,257 m), are our ever-present guardians and have been an iconic local landmark since time immemorial.
The rugged, 3 kilometre-long silhouette of the Dents du Midi mountain range stands watch over the Illiez and Rhone valleys and the Portes du Soleil. They can even be seen from as far away as the shores of Lake Geneva.
The daily hiking time is 3 to 5 hours of effective walking. This tour is suitable for the average hiker who is used to mountain trails.
“This iconic, historic long-distance alpine trail offers breathtaking panoramas, soaring summits, craggy passes, crystalline alpine lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, forests, and flora and fauna galore…“
Are you ready to slow down and explore nature in quiet, uncrowded places? Then keep on reading:
Hiking Itinerary:
Day 1: Access Auberge de Salanfe
The first hike leads from the village of Salvan trough the impressive Gorge de Dalley up to Van d’en Haut. From here steeply up to the Salanfe guest house. It lies next to a water reservoir and is the perfect place to spend your first night in the mountains. If you prefer a shorter hike you can take the local bus to Van d’en Haut and start your hike there.
- Overnight at the Auberge de Salanfe with dinner, showers are available
- Hike: 4km, + 600m
Day 2: Auberge de Salanfe – Refuge de Bonavau
From Auberge de Salanfe (1950m), follow the alpine road along the lake and up to Col de Susanfe (2494 m), a wide cut between the Haute Cime and the Tour Sallière. It is the high point of the tour, which you leave by descending to Cabane de Susanfe (2102 m). The traditional mountain hut is the perfect stop for a coffee and cake break.
From the Cabane de Susanfe (2102 m), follow the path that winds in the Combe de Susanfe and continue over the reservoir of Giétroz into a deep gorge and the Pas d’Encel. Chains are installed to help hikers getting down the steep and exposed trail. After the Gorge it’s a short hike to the wonderful Refuge de Bonavau (1550 m).
- Overnight and dinner at Refuge de Bonavau. There are no showers.
- Estimated hiking time: 5.5h
- Hike: 11km, +618, -998m
Day 3: Refuge de Bonavau – Cabane d’Anthème
From the Refuge de Bonavau (1550 m), the trail leads over an impressive suspension bridge over the Saufla river. The trail now climbs up to Rossetan Alpages and to the Chalet de Métecoui (1775 m).
From here you will have a unique view over the valley and the beautiful region of Planachaux, Les Crosets and Les Portes du Soleil. After some efforts, you reach the two small lakes of Anthème (2035 m), real emanations of gentleness and tranquility in the middle of a green plateau, limited by the Arête de Sélaire and the Dent de la Chaux. A little further down is the Cabane d’Anthème (2037 m).
- Overnight and dinner at Cabane d’Anthème. There are cold showers.
- Estimated hiking time: 3h
- Hike: 7.3km, +687, – 203
Day 4: Cabane d’Anthème – Auberge de Chindonne
From the Cabane d’Anthème (2037 m) you hike at the same altitude to the Signal de Soi (2013 m). This traverse below the cliffs, where streams flow down from the Glacier de Soi, is beautiful. Overlooked by the impressive north face of the Dents-du-Midi and the hanging glacier of Chalin, the trail leads through the wild Chalin cirque to the charming clearing of Majedo. The path continues over a hollow interspersed with alders to the alpine pastures of Valère and Valerette. With good weather the Dent de Valerette is worth visiting – a superb viewpoint. From here you continue towards Auberge de Chindonne (1604 m).
- Overnight stay and dinner in rooms of the Auberge de Chindonne, hot showers available.
- Estimated hiking time: 5h
- Hike: 11.7km, +306m, – 734m
Day 5: Auberge de Chindonne – Cerniers Restaurant parking lot or additional hike to the village of Mex
After your last breakfast in the mountains you descent to the parking lot Cerniers Restaurant. From there by local bus to Monthey train station. Continuation by train.
(If you want to add one more hiking day and a night in the mountains you can continue your loop around the Dent du Midi mountains to the small village of Mex. There is a wonderful little mountain guest house with delicious food and the local bus that brings you back down to the valley the next day. )
- Hike: 3km, -250m
- Estimated hiking time: 1h
Map
The hiking trail
The well-maintained and marked path of this hike winds at the foot of a majestic group between 1000 and 2500 meters. It offers impressive views of the rock and ice walls of the seven peaks of the Dents-du- Midi, the clear waters of streams and waterfalls, sparkling mountain lakes and breathtaking hanging glaciers. You will also pass typical alpine huts as well as protected fauna and unique flora. This tour is possible to do alone but is also perfect with family and friends. There is one section on day 2 that has some exposure but is very well protected with chains.
Arrival by train and bus to the hiking start
At Martigny main station, take the Mont Blanc Express train to Salvan. From there it is a 3 hr 25 min walk to the mountain inn. Or take the bus from Salvan to the campsite of Van d’en Haut.
From there, the hike to the mountain inn is about 1 hr 30 – 2 hrs.
Costs for Self guided Tour des Dents du Midi for 4 hiking days:
- 2 hikers: 957.00 CHF per hiker
- 4 hikers: 715.00 CHF per hiker
- 6-8 hikers: 621.00 CHF per hiker
Included in the costs:
Organisation, 4 nights at mountain huts in dorms with dinners and breakfasts, showers where available, detailed route information and accommodation plan, gpx tracks, packing list
Not included in the costs:
Personal insurances, picnics, drinks at the huts, travel to Van d’en Haute and back Cernisiers
How the self guided Tour des Dents du Midi works
You will get more informations and instructions from us upon your booking. We will provide you with a detailed information, a plan of the route and the gpx. files for you to upload on a device. We will make all hut reservations for you.
Hut Etiquette
Your first time in a mountain hut? Please read the Hut etiquette below:
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