The trip

LEVEL ***

Altitude difference: from +400 m to +1250 m on average per day.
Walking time: 4 to 7 hours per day.
Type of hiking: Well-laid mountain trails. Some cable passages sometimes aerial but well secured (No Encel)

The route in general is well indicated, and the Roadbook provided 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 sufficiently autonomous in the mountains to be able to tackle the itinerary with confidence, whatever the weather (fog, snow, etc.). Guiding is not included in the self-guided package. snow and névés 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. 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.

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 by clicking here: levels of difficulty

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.

HIKING MARKINGS

The trail is well marked throughout its length thanks to signs indicating the directions and their walking time. The ascent of the High Cime (optional) is not marked and requires a good orientation ability.
It is best to master the IGN card reading at 1/25'000.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT

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 tthese reasons, we do not offer luggage transportation services on this stay.

ACCOMODATION

4 nights in dormitory, refuge or mountain cottage (comfort option possible in 2 persons bedroom on nights 1 and 4, see prices section)
For reasons of isolation, showers are not available every nights (nights 1 and 4 only)

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 of picnics: 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 consumption and personal expenses (not all accommodation takes the credit card)

HIKING A LA CARTE

We can create a trek according to your request (number of days, number of participants, level, accomodation comfort..)

CARTOGRAPHY

National map of Switzerland 1:25,000:

- 1304 - Val d'Illiez and - 1324 - Barberine

Practical information

ACCESS TO THE STARTING POINT

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

BY TRAIN AND BUS
GO: Departure from Geneva Cornavin at 8:10 am, arrival at 9:31 am in St-Maurice.
Then Postal Bus, departing from the Post Office of St-Maurice at 11:45am, arriving in Mex at 12:10am. 

RETURN: Departure by bus from Mex at 5:35pm, arrival in St-Maurice at 6:00pm.
Departure of the train at 6:27pm to Geneva Cornavin, arrival 7:50pm. 

The times given above are only indicative and 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 afternoon hike in Mex

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER STAY

Auberge de l'Armailli in Mex

INSURANCE

In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Under no circumstances, we can replace your personal civil liability.
The repatriation insurance EUROP ASSISTANCE that we offer is dedicated to French speaking people living in Europe. If it is not your case, we advise you to subscribe to another travel insurance which will cover you in case of injury and repatriation during your trek.

If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident.

Before making any decision, contact EUROP ASSISTANCE.

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.