recommended route
Chemin de l'Aiguille
Winter Hikes
· Région Dents du Midi
· Open
-
Photo: Région Dents du Midi, Region Dents du Midi
Feast your eyes on the magnificent Dents du Midi mountains and sample one of Switzerland’s most famous specialties: Rösti!
Open
moderate
Distance 7 km
2:45 h
260 m
260 m
1,844 m
1,585 m
Perched an altitude of 1,800 meters, between the villages of Champoussin and Les Crosets in the Illiez Valley, this lovely ramble provides breathtaking views of the Dents du Midi massif and the Vaud Alps. From the highest point, at Pas de Croisette, you will enjoy an uninterrupted view of the surrounding peaks, including the entire Dents Blanches massif and the iconic Pointe de l'Au peak. Along the way you may see paragliders taking off under the Croix de l'Aiguille and, at the halfway point, the sunny terrace at the Relais Panoramique restaurant tempts hikers to stop for a refreshing drink or a bite to eat.
Author’s recommendation
You won’t want to miss the exceptional selection of Rösti at the Relais Panoramique restaurant (reservations are recommended).
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Pas de Croisette, 1,844 m
Lowest point
Frâchette, 1,585 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety 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.- 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.
- Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals. Do not leaveanywaste in nature.
- 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 uncertainweather, turn back in good time.
- Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger, especially the danger of avalanches.
- Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible, avoid going alone.
Tips and hints
More information about the destination: https://www.regiondentsdumidi.chStart
Champoussin, Bus stop "Frâchette" (1,585 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'556'402E 1'117'342N
DD
46.206117, 6.873764
DMS
46°12'22.0"N 6°52'25.6"E
UTM
32T 335974 5119146
w3w
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Destination
Champoussin, Bus stop "Frâchette"
Turn-by-turn directions
Set off from the Frâchette covered picnic area, on the road just before the village of Champoussin, following the pink winter hiking trail signs marked with the number 15 (Swiss Mobile No. 901).
Walk along a wide, well-groomed path towards Les Crosets and the Croix de l'Aiguille. At the snowshoe trail crossroads, stay on the main axis which continues straight on the flat. A little further on, where the groomed path splits, take the trail that goes up in switchbacks to the right, passing just under the summit of the Croix de l'Aiguille. Continue to the left on the groomed path to the crossroads at Pas de Croisette. From there, continue straight on to the Relais Panoramique restaurant. To return, head back down to the hamlet of Crêté Borney. In the hairpin bend, take the groomed, flat path back to your starting point.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Public transport friendlyAt the train station in Aigle, take the AOMC train direction Champéry and get off in Val-d'Illiez. Then take the bus direction Champoussin until the stop "Frâchette". Timetable on www.cff.ch or www.tpc.ch
Getting there
Highway A9 Lausanne-Sion, exit St-Triphon. Follow "Pas-de-Morgins/Monthey", take the tunnel "Route de la Vallée" until Troistorrents. In Troistorrents, at the round-about, follow Champéry/Val-d'Illiez. In Val-d'Illiez, at the round-about, follow "Champoussin" on the right. The starting point at the "Frâchette" picnic area is just before the entrance to Champoussin village.Parking
Parking along the road, in front of the picnic area (where the road is wide enough).Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'556'402E 1'117'342N
DD
46.206117, 6.873764
DMS
46°12'22.0"N 6°52'25.6"E
UTM
32T 335974 5119146
w3w
///cheetahs.plots.manage
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
The Région Dents du Midi tourist offices offers brochures and information on hiking in the region: download it for free under www.regiondentsdumidi.ch or CHF 5.- for the paper version.
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopoMaps: 1:50'000: 272 St-Maurice
Equipment
We recommend:- goodfootwear
- clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
- hat or cap
- sunscreen
- bottle for water, picnic
- camera
- hikingpoles (optional)
- printout of this hike (click “Print” icon, top right, to download)
Status
Open
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
7 km
Duration
2:45 h
Ascent
260 m
Descent
260 m
Highest point
1,844 m
Lowest point
1,585 m
Morning
Afternoon
Avalanche conditions
·
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 2 Waypoints
- 2 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
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