★★★★★ | Highest point: 3,170 m | Moderate to difficult options |
The Orny glacier and valley are spectacular. Truly stunning, and very accessible from Champex in the canton of Valais. Although high, the trail along the glacier is a relatively easy way to experience the glory of hiking in the Swiss Alps — with the option of a meal, drink and even a bed at the two mountain huts along the way.
The glacier is part of the Mont Blanc massive, on the border of Switzerland, France and Italy. It joins up with the Trient glacier at the top, in a large ice field.
The hiking trail is well marked and good, though a little more interesting (or trickier, depending on your point of view) between the first and second huts along the way.
The trail is not particularly steep or exposed – but it’s high, and you need to be prepared for any weather. Highly recommended!
Hiking trail info – Orny glacier
All options start and end in the pretty mountain town of Champex-Lac, at the La Breya chairlift carpark (46.031471, 7.106613). There is public transport to Champex-Lac. There are two mountain huts on the trail; you can eat at both, or else picnic outside. We did the hike as a day hike, but you can also stay overnight at the huts.
Our (moderate) hike: Champex – Breya chairlift – Cabane d’Orny – Cabane du Trient – Cabane d’Orny – Combe d’Orny – Champex
Cabane du Trient: 3,170 m
Height gain: 976 m
Technical details: Easy ladders and metal footholds in some parts above the Cabane d’Orny.
Distance: approx 20 km
Take the chair lift to the top then follow the signs to the first hut, the Cabane d’Orny. This takes about 2 hours. The good and well-marked trail first climbs up to a hanging valley that you continue along, then climbs again up the moraine of the Orny glacier. Once on the moraine you have a fantastic view of the glacier.
The trail from the Cabane d’Orny to the Cabane du Trient follows along the side of the glacier. There are ladders and spikes in some places. It takes another 1-1.5 hours to reach the Cabane du Trient. The views are beautiful along the way: the glacier on one side, small blue lakes on the other, and peaks all around.
Walk the same way back until the end of the hanging valley. Instead of turning left to follow the same trail back to the chairlift, keep right and walk down to Champex-Lac. This takes about 2 hours. The path goes straight down the valley (combe d’Orny), then turns left through the forest back to Champex. I didn’t think walking all the way down was worth it. The trail down the valley is not as good and quite steep. It was also slippery when we did it. Several of us had bruised backsides the next day. Ouch.
Other hiking options
Easier hikes: Catch the chairlift back down instead of walking all the way. Make sure you don’t miss the last ride down! And/or, only walk up to the Cabane d’Orny.
Longer hike: Walk up from the bottom, instead of catching the chairlift.
More difficult hikes: If you have the gear, you can also walk on the glacier. We’d like to return one day to sleep in the Cabane du Trient and walk on the glacier the second day.
Links
Cabane d’Orny
Cabane du Trient
Hiking trail map – Orny glacier, Valais, Switzerland
(GPX download under the map)
Story & photos from our hike
If the shoe fits, you still need socks – 22 August 2016 – No cliffs, a path the whole way, a chairlift even! But even with these concessions from James, it was a rough start all the same for our poor new au pair. Read more »
