Alpine Passes Trail

The stage begins at 2,470 metres above sea level at the thousand-year-old hospice. Behind it, the surface of pristine Lac du Saint Bernard reflects the Italian mountains. A path leads steeply uphill to the Col des Cheveaux. From here, the views across the valley to the peaks of the Petit and Grand Combin or Mont Velan are breathtaking.

The route now descends 400 metres through a sparsely vegetated, stony landscape to the Torrent de Drône. The trail then leads briefly along the stream and steeply uphill to the next pass at 2,754 metres above sea level. The Col du Bastillon marks the stage's halfway point. The views of Mont Blanc, Grandes Jorasses and Mont Dolent invite you to take an extended break.

The second half of the route leads mainly downhill, first quite steeply over stony paths to Luys Morteau and then on a pleasant trail to the Lacs de Fenêtre. Weather and temperature permitting, you can cool off in the lakes here. Alpine flowers bloom along the enjoyable path, depending on the season. After Plan de la Chaux, a gravel road leads further downhill. Les Ars Dessus, a mountain inn in the middle of the Val Ferret, offers you the opportunity to refuel.

The trail continues to La Fouly. The last village in the Val Ferret lies 1,600 metres above sea level. The hike ends surrounded by typical Valais chalets and the mighty peaks of Dolent, Tour Noir and Aiguille d'Argentière.