The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation gain: From +400 m to +1250 m on average per day.
Walking time: 4 to 7 hours per day.
Type of hike: Well-maintained mountain trails. Some cable-secured sections may be exposed but are safely secured ("Pas d’Encel").
You have to be in a general good fitness level. Please practice a cardio sport such as hiking, running, cycling, from 3 to 4 hours a week.
Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum. Please find the description of the levels: levels of difficulty

The route in general is well indicated, and the Roadbook provided is sufficiently complete to allow you to hike in complete safety. However, it is essential to be able to read an 1:25,000 map and to be autonomous in the mountains to be able to tackle the itinerary with confidence, whatever the weather (fog, snow, etc.). Guiding by a professional mountain guide is not included in the self-guided package.
Be prepared! You will be crossing areas with no telephone network. For your own safety, you may wish to bring along a radio or the latest generation telephone with satellite connection.

Snow will be present on the paths until end of June at least. You may walk on long snowy sections that can make the tour a bit more challenging. High mountain boots, gaiters and walking poles are mandatory. 

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.

TRAIL MARKERS

The trail is well-marked along its entire length with signs indicating directions and estimated walking times. The ascent to the Haute Cime (optional) is not marked and requires good orientation skills. It is recommended to be proficient in reading an IGN map at a 1:25,000 scale.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER

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 these reasons, we do not offer luggage transfer services.

ACCOMMODATION

4 nights in dormitory refuge or mountain gite (comfort option possible in a 2-person room, on nights 1 and 4, please see price section).
Shower is not available every night (only nights 1 and 4).

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: 15 CHF). Please inform us about your food allergies and special diets at the time of booking. We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.

CURRENCIES

Provide Swiss francs for your personal expenses (not all accommodations accept the credit card).

CARTOGRAPHY

National map of Switzerland 1:25 000 : Chablais valaisan - Entre Lac Léman et Dents du Midi

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

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

BY TRAIN AND BUS
Go: Train from Geneva Cornavin to St-Maurice.
Then Postal Bus, departing from the Post Office of St-Maurice, arriving in Mex at noon.
Return: Bus from Mex to St-Maurice then train to Geneva Cornavin in the late afternoon.
Timetables 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 hike in the afternoon 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 & luggage

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
• Lightweight down jacket
• 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 (0.40L to 0.50L)
• 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 50 to 60 litres for your personal belongings for the week (essential: 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.