Alpine Passes Trail

Arolla is part of the municipality of Evolène and is located in the valley of the same name, Val d'Arolla, at the foot of majestic mountain peaks. From the 19th century onwards, the village developed into a centre for mountaineering and skiing. Several hotels were built between 1865 and 1935, although at that time the village was only accessible via a mule track from Les Haudères. In the 1960s, the power plant company Grande Dixence built an access road and made the place better known. Nevertheless, Arolla has retained its charm to this day.

Right at the start of the stage, you pass the tree line at 2,100 metres and follow an attractive path that meanders uphill through a magnificent mountain and glacier landscape. It seems as though you can almost touch the Glacier de Tsijiore Nouve. Continuing uphill, passing under the summit of Petit Mont Rouge, you reach the Col de Riedmatten. Chamois are sometimes to be seen here. You can enjoy the final view of the Val d'Arolla from the top of the pass. The descent then begins. The start of it is so steep that the first 30 metres are secured with chains. After the descent, a new panorama is before you, offering a view of the Glacier de Cheilon and the Mont Blanc de Cheilon. The remoteness of this area makes it breathtaking, wild and beautiful.

You continue along a path through a scree landscape above the glacial lake until you reach the signpost for Lac des Dix. You can see the largest reservoir in Switzerland from here.

At the end of this stage, you climb around another three hundred metres up to an altitude of 2,928 metres to the Cabane des Dix SAC hut. Reaching the hut makes the huge effort worthwhile! The hut is like a small castle, standing exposed on a hill and surrounded by an impressive and attractive mountain landscape.