From Champex-Lac, you go around the Catogne, the emblematic mountain of the Pays du St-Bernard.
This tour is an excellent trail route that goes around the Catogne via Champex-Lac, Bovernier, Sembrancher, Soulalex and Chez-Les-Reuses.
Itinerary
Best period to go there
Prestations
Author\s note
Once you’ve done this route, you’ll probably want to climb to the top of the Catogne. The view is breathtaking!
Directions
From the Champex-Lac tourist office, follow the road towards the chairlift and then take the direction of Champex from below. Go down along the valley crossing different hamlets such as Champex d’en bas or the Marioty. Continue the descent alternating between road and small path until you reach Bémont. At the exit of the hamlet reach a hairpin and follow the dirt road downhill towards the village of Bovernier. Turn right in the village and follow the road to Gd St-Bernard for a short while before passing in front of the forest shed. Pass by a fountain and then take the path in the woods along the left bank of the Dranse river until you reach the Sembrancher railway station. Go through the village and then take the direction of the Guard. Continue climbing via the villages of Soulalex and Chez-Les-Reuses before reaching the centre of Champex-Lac along the lake.
Getting there
Exit the motorway at Martigny.
Follow the direction Grand-Saint-Bernard then leave the main road at Orsières and follow Champex-Lac.
It is also possible to leave the main road at Bovernier and go through Les Valettes but the road is narrow and very winding.
Free parking near the lake
By train to Orsières then by bus to Champex-Lac.
Timetables on www.cff.ch.