The trip

LEVEL ***

Altitude difference: from +400 m to +1250 m on average per day.
Walking time: 4 to 7 hours per day.
Type of hiking: Well-laid mountain trails. Some cable passages sometimes aerial but well secured (No Encel)
Good physical condition is required for this trek.

ROAD-BOOK

Before departure, we give you a travel file containing:
- 2 TOP 25 IGN maps with route trace.
- 1 road-book with all the necessary information for the hike.
- 1 card holder.
- List of accommodation.

HIKING MARKINGS

The trail is well marked throughout its length thanks to signs indicating the directions and their walking time. The ascent of the High Cime (optional) is not marked and requires a good orientation ability.
It is best to master the IGN card reading at 1/25'000.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT

The Dents du Midi tour is a particularly wild route that almost never goes down into the valley and on which the huts are relatively isolated. The majority of them are not accessible by 4x4 vehicle, so for tthese reasons, we do not offer luggage transportation services on this stay.

ACCOMODATION

4 nights in dormitory, refuge or mountain cottage (comfort option possible in 2 persons bedroom on nights 1 and 4, see prices section)
For reasons of isolation, showers are not available every nights (nights 1 and 4 only)

MEALS

Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be ordered the day before in each accommodation (average price of picnics: 15 CHF)

CURRENCIES

Provide Swiss francs for your consumption and personal expenses (not all accommodation takes the credit card)

HIKING A LA CARTE

We can create a trek according to your request (number of days, number of participants, level, accomodation comfort..)

PHYSICAL CONDITION

Be able to easily walk 20 km (in plain) in 4 hours maximum.

If this is not the case, within three weeks of departure, 2 to 3 times a week, we advise you to start a good workout: 4 to 5 km of running or 3 to 4 hours of hiking, cycling or swimming. Your physical preparation will facilitate your stay and allow you to enjoy it all the more.

CARTOGRAPHY

National map of Switzerland 1:25,000:

- 1304 - Val d'Illiez and - 1324 - Barberine

Practical information

ACCESS TO THE STARTING POINT

Departure in Mex, commune of St-Maurice, Valais.  

BY TRAIN AND BUS
GO: Departure from Geneva Cornavin at 8:10 am, arrival at 9:31 am in St-Maurice.
Then Postal Bus, departing from the Post Office of St-Maurice at 11:45am, arriving in Mex at 12:10am. 

RETURN: Departure by bus from Mex at 5:35pm, arrival in St-Maurice at 6:00pm.
Departure of the train at 6:27pm to Geneva Cornavin, arrival 7:50pm. 

The times given above are only indicative and must be checked on the official Swiss transport website (train and bus) : www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

BY CAR

From Geneva, follow motorway A1 (pay attention, motorway vignette mandatory) direction Lausanne, then A9 direction Simplon - Grand Saint Bernard until the exit Saint-Maurice. At the roundabout, follow Simplon-Gd st bernard and 1st right on Chemin de Capenu, follow Mex (VS).
Free parking at the entrance of the village, at the church level.

End of the afternoon hike in Mex

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER STAY

Auberge de l'Armailli in Mex

TO CONTACT US

If you are late, contact the agency on +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
• 1 change of clothes for the evening
• A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag
• Quick drying towel
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
• Plastic cup for coffee
• Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch or hand torch
• Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
• Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.