recommended route
Orny and Trient mountain huts
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Orny cabinPhoto: © PaysduStBernard, © PaysduStBernard
This hike at the foot of the glaciers passes by two mountain huts in the Champex-Lac region and offers a spectacular view of the Mont Blanc massif.
difficult
Distance 13.4 km
5:29 h
983 m
983 m
3,169 m
2,190 m
Experienced hikers will enjoy this demanding hike through a wild and fascinating natural landscape. Begin your ascent with a chairlift journey up to La Breya, during which you can enjoy the vast panorama stretching from Lake Geneva to the Grand Combin. You then follow a path whose narrow and elevated opening section is sure to please hikers with a love of heights. Continue to the moraine of the Orny Glacier, then on to the mountain hut that shares its name. It is recognizable thanks to the bronze ibex that stands at the base of a mast adorned with the Swiss flag. The hike continues across the scree and along the glacier before zigzagging through a final, relatively steep climb up to the Trient mountain hut. Your efforts are then rewarded with a magnificent view of the Trient plateau and the Mont Blanc massif. The return journey follows the same path, with the option of making your way down via the Val d’Arpette or heading back to La Breya. Those looking for more of a challenge can finish the hike on foot instead of taking the chairlift.
Author’s recommendation
On the way back, take the opportunity to try the La Breya ziplines, located at the cable car mountain station of the same name. At 540m and 520m respectively, they combine to form the longest zipline installation in French-speaking Switzerland.
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
3,169 m
Lowest point
2,190 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Forested/wild trail
1 km
Path
12.5 km
Safety information
Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.
For all hikes:
- Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on «Print» icon, top right of this page.
- Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Close gates after passing through.
- Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
- Do not leave any waste in nature.
For mountain hikes:
- Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
- Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
For high-altitude hikes:
- Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
- Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.
Tips and hints
More information about the destination:
Start
La Breya (2,193 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'574'011E 1'096'699N
DD
46.021334, 7.103066
DMS
46°01'16.8"N 7°06'11.0"E
UTM
32T 353173 5098167
w3w
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Destination
La Breya
Turn-by-turn directions
From Champex, take the La Breya chairlift and follow the signs to Orny mountain hut. The initial section follows a narrow path next to a steep drop that opens up as it climbs towards the ridge and then crosses a broad slope overlooking the Combe d’Orny valley. It then follows the moraine along the Orny Glacier to the cabin of the same name, where you can take your first well-earned break. The route continues across the scree and on the glacier. After passing the lake, head downhill on the compact surface of the Orny Glacier and continue on the snow, following the signage as well as the numerous traces left by the rope routes that have passed through the region. You should not leave the trail under any circumstances and should not hesitate to give up if you are unsure about the weather or conditions on the glacier. Arrows painted on rocks will show you when to leave the glacier and climb the base of the Pointe d’Orny. After a final climb on a very steep slope you’ll arrive at the Trient mountain hut, where the panorama from the terrace will quickly make you forget all the effort you’ve put in. It takes four to five hours to hike the full route and reach this second mountain hut. For the return journey, you have the choice between following the same route in reverse or continuing the hike across the Val d’Arpette. If you take the first option, the La Breya chairlift may be closed if you get back too late, in which case you would have to make the final downhill section on foot.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Access by train to Orsières, then by bus to Champex, chairlift. The Breya chairlift is open every day from mid-June to mid-September.Getting there
A9 motorway to Martigny, then E27 towards Gd-St-Bernard to Les Valettes, then follow "Champex".Parking
Large free parking lot from the Breya chairliftCoordinates
SwissGrid
2'574'011E 1'096'699N
DD
46.021334, 7.103066
DMS
46°01'16.8"N 7°06'11.0"E
UTM
32T 353173 5098167
w3w
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Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
The tourist office in Champex-Lac has got brochures and information material about hiking in the region.
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25000 (Edition MPA), Pays du St-Bernard
Equipment
We recommend:
- good footwear
- clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
- hat or cap
- sunscreen
- bottle for water
- picnic
- camera
- binoculars (optional)
- hiking poles (optional)
- printout of this hike (click «Print» icon, to download)
For certain walks:
- Swimwear
Reviews
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
13.4 km
Duration
5:29 h
Ascent
983 m
Descent
983 m
Highest point
3,169 m
Lowest point
2,190 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 2 Waypoints
- 2 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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Rating
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