Le Châble to Cabane du Mont Fort
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Foto: Minna Harshbarger, Macs Adventure
It’s a leg-burning climb up and away from Le Châble, passing through a variety of landscapes and viewpoints before finally arriving at the Cabane de Mont-Fort. If 1,680 metres of climbing doesn’t entice you, you can connect gondolas and chairlifts to shorten the walk and enjoy the views from above.
The great thing about ascending 1,680 metres on one of the Haute route’s toughest sections is the diverse array of landscapes and ecosystems you’ll pass through. Leaving Le Châble, crane your neck up towards the mountains, past the pastures chiming with cowbells, beyond the scattered villages with a labyrinth of narrow streets, and above the damp pine forest sprouting fungi and raspberries. Lurking out of view just below the craggy peaks is the sturdy shelter of Cabane de Mont-Fort, perched like a castle on a prominent knoll 2,457 metres above sea level. This is where you'll spend the night, feeling smug as everyone else turns around to descend to their villages.
Today’s walk avoids Verbier, preferring to stick instead to the wild nature of the Bagnes Valley. Nevertheless, the signs and infrastructure of this outdoor sports mecca are omnipresent so if you would like to avoid the worst of the climb you can connect gondolas and chairlifts instead. Take first the Verbier gondola and then the Les Ruinettes chairlift (if you plan to take the cable car we suggest combining days 4&5).
Tip van de auteur
Enjoy your lunch at the Abri picnic area after 7.5 kilometres. It’s in a beautiful woodland location, and with covered picnic benches, a water fountain, and toilets, it’s a great stop come rain or sunshine!
Wegtypes
Hoogteprofiel tonenVeiligheidsaanwijzingen
Occasionally you must walk on minor roads. Where there is no verge or pavement you should walk on the left side facing the oncoming traffic, except where the road bends left when you should cross over to the other side. Stay alert to vehicles around you.
Today the hiking trail is often shared with mountain bikes. In theory hikers have right of way, however, this is not always the case. Pay attention to your surroundings and particularly listen for the rattle of a freewheel or the squeal of brake. You will often hear cyclists before you see them.
The exception where cyclists have right of way is when the hiking trail crosses a cycling trail. Stop and check nothing is coming before crossing.
The trail is often rocky and uneven and can be slippery when wet. Wear appropriate footwear and take care with your foot placements, particularly at the end of the day when you may be tired. Walking poles can be useful on some of the steep ascents and descents.
In early spring/late summer there may be patches of snow. Walk around where it is possible, and otherwise place your feet carefully and use walking poles if you have them. Continue to risk assess the consequences if you were to slide.
This route is above 2,000 metres so bear in mind you may feel a shortness of breath and additional muscle fatigue associated with the altitude.
The weather can change quickly. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing in your day-bag.
Tips en hints
Points of Interest
Cabane de Mont-Fort
This alpine cabin is perched atop a prominent knoll at 2,457 metres with panoramic views to Mont Blanc and Grand Combin. It was originally built in 1925 to take advantage of the many 3,000-metre peaks that circle it, however, today it serves great food and a welcoming stay to the many hikers, skiers and bikers who arrive at its door.
Les Vernays Chapel
When the previous 17th-century Les Vernays chapel was replaced in 1950, the architect and all the builders gave their time free of charge, totalling more than 1,000 days of labour. This demonstrates the importance of having this chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of the Ardent, overlooking the Bagnes Valley.
Food and Drink
There are limited food options along today’s walk so be sure to leave Le Châble with plenty of snacks for the day. There is a restaurant in Clambin after 6.5 kilometres and another restaurant near the Les Ruinettes Lift Station after 9 kilometres if you want to take a 500-metre detour from the trail.
Bring two litres of water. There are water fountains to refill your bottles after 1.5, 6.5 and 7.5 kilometres.
Transport
Cable car from Le Châble to Verbier and Les Ruinettes (1h10 walk to Cabane de Mont Fort).
The lift operates from approx. 8:00 – 17:30 daily and costs approx. 10 CHF from Le Châble to Verbier or 20 CHF from Le Châble to Les Ruinettes.
Start
Bestemming
Tochtbeschrijving
If you are taking the telepherique to Les Ruinettes, skip to the instruction at 8.80 kilometres and follow signs to Cabane de Mont-Fort.
0.00km – Start on the bridge in Le Châble facing upstream and towards the lift station. TURN LEFT and then at the road, TURN LEFT again. After 140 metres, TURN RIGHT onto Ch. des Etales. From here you are following the yellow signs uphill towards Verbier.
0.53km – BEAR LEFT to cross the stream and then after the steps to the main road, CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON to cross over the road.
0.60km – By the notice board and yellow postbox in Le Cotterg (880m), TURN RIGHT along Ch. du Four.
0.90km - BEAR LEFT from the gravel road onto the uphill track.
1.50km – At the T-junction with a gravel road, TURN LEFT to head along Ch. des Merline away from the small stream. Follow the yellow signs uphill through the village.
1.70km – TURN RIGHT at the wooden cross to head uphill along the rocky track. From the paved road, TURN RIGHT being sure to ignore the sign that leads straight ahead to Verbier and Cabane du Mont Fort. This will pass the church in Les Vernays.
2.90km – As the path bends sharply right to begin heading downhill, BEAR LEFT to continue contouring around the mountain slopes.
4.00km – Shortly after crossing the stream, TURN LEFT to head steeply uphill on a forested climb. Keep following the signs to Les Ruinettes and Clambin.
4.60km – TURN LEFT at the T-junction and then BEAR RIGHT beside the buildings on your left.
6.00km - TURN RIGHT to remain on path to Clambin. This is a steep, leg-burning section and is shared with mountain bike users. Though hikers technically have right of way, be ready to step aside if you hear riders approaching.
6.50km – At the crossroads beside a water fountain, CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON heading uphill. You are now following the signs to Les Ruinettes and Mont-Fort.
7.30km - After arriving at a wide gravel road, TURN RIGHT and then immediately BEAR LEFT onto the uphill forest track. After passing the picnic area and toilets, BEAR LEFT then TURN LEFT to wind uphill on the steep serpentine bends with protective ski netting along the exposed side.
7.90km – After the second left serpentine bend, TURN RIGHT sharply onto the footpath.
8.60km - After emerging near the top of the treeline onto a gravel track, TURN RIGHT. Ignore the sign to Les Ruinettes on your left (unless you want to take a detour to the restaurant) and begin following signs to Mont-Fort. This is a shared bike trail so be sure to stay alert.
9.00km – At the junction of many hiking and cycling trails, BEAR RIGHT past the ’no cycling’ sign to walk with the stream on your left.
9.30km - After crossing a small wooden bridge, TURN LEFT.
11.90km - After passing below the Cabane de Mont-Fort, TURN LEFT at the crossroads to loop round towards the cabin.
12.40km – Finish at the Cabane de Mont-Fort. Why not enjoy a beer on the terrace?
Noteer
Coördinaten
Uitrusting
Bring appropriate footwear, preferably walking boots with good grip and ankle support.
Bring a waterproof jacket and trousers, even where the weather forecast makes this appear unnecessary.
Walking poles may be useful on some of the steep ascents and descents.
Food for the duration of the hike and two litres of water is recommended.
A powerbank and phone cable may be useful if you are navigating using your phone. Remember that phone batteries may be less effective in cold weather.
Statistiek
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