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Haute Route Glacier Trek Day 4 - Cabane de Chanrion to Cabane de Dix via the Col du Mont Rouge.

A high and wild walk through some epic scenery.

Alpine Climbing Moderate

Distance
9.7 km
Ascent
917 m
Descent
467 m
Low Point
2.5 km
High Point
3.3 km
Gradient
20˚
Haute Route Glacier Trek Day 4 - Cabane de Chanrion to Cabane de Dix via the Col du Mont Rouge. Map

This is a brilliant day amongst high mountains and encapsulates what the Haute Route Glacier Trek is all about - huge scenery, wild mountains and a warm welcome at the end of each day.

Description

Start by retracing your steps from yesterday back across the toe of the Glacier du Brenay's moraine and then climbing up to the the Col de Tsofeiret. From here it's a fairly long climb up over rocky ground to the Col de Lire Rose. Descend slightly and then make another climb up scree to the Col du Mont Rouge, which overlooks the Glacier du Giétroz. The col is at over 3300 metres so you'll be glad of having had a few days high up to get acclimatised to the thin air.

Descend to the glacier, rope up, put crampons on and hike north across the glacier to reach the Col Cheilon. This is the final high point of the day and it's all downhill (although not all easy) from here on out. Descend down some steep glacial slopes and then a good path which leads in to the Cabane des Dix.

The Cabane des Dix is one of the most famous mountain huts in Switzerland and is one of the stops on the classic skier's Haute Route. The hut enjoys a spectacular view of the nearby N Face of Mt Blanc be Cheilon and you'll be able to pick out the first section of the next day's trek.

The sunset from the hut has to be seen to be believed so get wrapped up warm after dinner and go outside to enjoy it. Once it's done, get straight to bed because the next day is a big one and you'll need some rest before tackling it!

Difficulty

Moderate

May involve slightly more complex glacier hikes, easy but possibly long rock ridges and steep snow up to 45 degrees. Equivalent to PD, PD+

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The route features some exposed and/or difficult to protect sections.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between June and September

Equipment required

  • Ice axe
  • Crampons
  • Glacier kit

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area