At the Grand Combin
High above the greenery, we move through snow and ice. Almost continuously, we have a view of the rugged and impressive ice masses of the Grand Combin.
- Across one of the longest glaciers in the Alps
- Ascent of the Rosablanche (3360 m)
For eight days, our route takes us over passes and glaciers. We stay overnight in six beautifully situated mountain huts, which we leave early in the morning, often in the twilight. In the afternoon, we usually arrive at the next hut, where we can relax on the sunniest terraces with a drink and enjoy the magnificent view.
Starting from Fionnay (1490 m), located in the Val des Bagnes, we make a vigorous hike over a steep path to the Cabane de Panossière (2645 m), situated at the edge of the Glacier de Corbassière, with nice views of the Grand Combin. We stay here for two nights. The hut is our base for extensive glacier exercises.
From Panossière, we hike via the Col des Otanes (2846 m) above the Lac de Mauvoisin to the Cabane de Chanrion (2462 m). We also stay two nights at the Cabane de Chanrion and can enjoy a rest day.
Then we cross the splendid Glacier d’Otemma, the third longest glacier in Switzerland, to the high-lying Cabane de Vignettes (3158 m).
The crossing from the Vignettes to the Cabane des Dix (2928 m) is made via the ancient Pas de Chèvres (2855 m).
The next day via the Col des Roux (2804 m) we arrive at the small Cabane de Prafleuri (2662 m).
From here, we set off for the Rosablanche (3360 m) with a splendid descent over the Glacier du Grand Désert. Via the Col de Momin (3003 m) or the Col de Louvie (2921 m) we reach the Cabane de Louvie (2207 m), by the Lac de Louvie.
On the last day, we descend directly to the inhabited world of Fionnay or go via Le Dâ, where it is possible to see ibex and chamois.
Note: This route has been offered in the past by the NKBV. Due to potentially changing conditions, you are always responsible for checking the current route conditions yourself. Get information from the local tourist office or the experts of the respective region to ensure a safe and well-prepared trip.
Author’s recommendation
Accommodation before/after the route
Fionnay: Pension/ Hotel du Grand Combin: www.fionnay.ch
Bonatchiesse (just south of Fionnay): Camping Forêt des Mélèzes: www.campings.ch
Information Val de Bagnes: www.bagnes.ch
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
Do you want to do this route accompanied by a guide/mountain guide?
Join
Bergsportreizen.nl: https://www.bergsportreizen.nl/bergwandelen/huttentocht-gletsjersoversteek/grandcombin
Check out the offerings on Bergsportreizen.nl for all workshops, courses, and tours organized by the Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Association (NKBV).
Tips and suggestions
Mountain huts
1st/2nd day: Cabane de Panossière 0041 27 771 3322 www.cabane-fxb-panossiere.ch
3rd/4th day: Cabane de Chanrion 0041 27 778 1209 www.chanrion.ch
5th day: Cabane des Vignettes 0041 27 283 1322 www.cabanedesvignettes.ch
6th day: Cabane des Dix 0041 27 281 1523 www.cabanedesdix.ch
7th day: Cabane de Prafleuri 0041 27 281 1780 www.prafleuri.ch
8th day: Cabane de Louvie 0041 27 778 1740 www.louvie.ch
Roadbook
Day 1
Fionnay (1490m) - Cabane FXB Panossière (2641m)
Walking time: 4½ hours
Elevation change: +1200m
Day 2
Cabane FXB Panossière (2641m) - day trip: Glacier de Corbassière, towards Boveire (3495m) or towards (Western) Col de Panossière (3459m)
Walking time: 6 hours
Elevation change: +600m, -600m
Day 3
Cabane FXB Panossière (2641m) - Col des Otanes (2873m) - La Tseumette (2297m) - high route above the Tour de Val de Bagnes lake - Cabane de Chanrion (2462m)
Walking time: 9 hours
Elevation change: +950m, -1150m
Day 4
Cabane de Chanrion (2462m) – La Paume (2357m) - across the Glacier d'Otemma - Col de Chermotane (3053m) - Cabane des Vignettes (3160m)
Walking time: 7 hours
Elevation change: +800m, -100m
Day 5
Cabane des Vignettes (3160m) - Glacier de Pièce - Pas des Chèvres (2855m) - Glacier de Cheilon (2755m) - Cabane des Dix (2928m)
Walking time: 7 hours
Elevation change: +890m, -1120m
Day 6
In the morning from Cabane des Dix (2928m) ascent La Luette (3548m) Then from Cabane des Dix - La Barna - Col des Roux (2804m) - Cabane de Prafleuri (2624m)
Walking time: 4 hours (including summit: 7 hours)
Elevation change: +400m, -700m downhill (including summit: +1100m, -1400m)
Day 7
Cabane de Prafleuri (2624m) - Glacier de Prafleuri - Rosablanche (3360m) - Col de Louvie (2921m) - Plan da Gole - Cabane de Louvie (2207m)
Walking time: 8 hours
Elevation change: +750m, -1200m
Day 8
Cabane de Louvie (2207m) - Col de la Rogneuse (2491m) - Le Dâ (2365m) - Fionnay (1490m)
Walking time: 4 hours
Elevation change: +280m, -100m
Number of glacier days
5
Cabane de Chanrion
Cabane des Vignettes
Cabane de Louvie
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Day train: Amsterdam-Martigny / Martigny-Amsterdam:
Night train: Amsterdam-Martigny / Martigny-Amsterdam:
By train to Martigny and then with the local train (“St. Bernard Express”) to Le Châble. Here transfer to the bus to Lourtier/Fionnay. This bus runs only 2 to 3 times a day via Lourtier to Fionnay (see www.sbb.ch, www.postbus.ch).
Directions
By car
Motorway to Basel and via Bern, Fribourg to Martigny. From there towards Col du Saint Bernard up to the road junction at Sembrancher. Here go towards Verbier and then follow signs for Fionnay (Val de Bagnes).
Parking
You can park your car across from the hotel.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Guides
Area guide Walliser Alps; Michael Waeber / Bergverlag Rudolf Rother
Literature
Alpes Valaisannes 2 (From Gd-St-Bernard to Col Collon), Maurice Brandt / CAS
Walliser Alps - The 100 most beautiful routes, Michel Vaucher / Bruckmann Verlag, Munich
Berge # 42 Walliser Alps, Olympia Verlag GmbH, Nuremberg
Berge # 80 Grand Combin, magazine with beautiful photos
Author’s map recommendations
Swiss national map 1:25,000
Sheet 1326 Rosablanche
Sheet 1346 Chanrion
Sheet 1347 Matterhorn (with part of the route of day 4 and 5)
Sheet 1366 Mont Vélan (with part of day 4)
Swiss national map 1:50,000
Sheet 283 (S) Arolla (for a good overview)
Sheet 293 Valpelline (with a small part of day 4)
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
See Bergsportreizen.nl
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions