Tour Saint Bernard - 7 days to discover Switzerland & Italy?
- www.montblanctrips.com
- Jul 24, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 26, 2024
WALK CATEGORY - DIFFICULT
Try La Fouly and / or walks from Liddes or Bourg St.Pierre, go up Valsorey valley to Valsorey hut, or visit Col Chevaux nr Col St Bernard (border of Italy & Switzerland) & then walk through the beautiful Italian Cols: St.Bernard, Sr. Remy, Col Ceingles, Col Malatrait (AOSTE, Italy) and even Grand Col Ferret to return back into Switzerland in a big loop to La Fouly in Val Ferret!
Or do you want to try the Tour Saint Bernard?
Are you free for 7 days? Go walking in the mountains. Let me be your trekking guide.
Let www.MONTBLANCTRIPS.com show you the way!
Or read on if you want to go solo.
TREK LEADER AT COL MALATRAIT, ITALY ON 22/07/2024 - A UK QUALIFIED INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN LEADER (LIVING IN THE FRENCH ALPS).
ACCESS: Fly to Geneva in Switzerland. Then transfer on TMR train to Orsieres. Then, TMR bus into either valley i) Valley Entremont for Bourg St.Pierre or ii) Valley Ferret for La Fouly (both via Orsieres). Then walk...
LA FOULY BUS STOP - TMR TRAIN SERVICES FROM GENEVA AIRPORT TO MARTIGNY & ORSIERES FIRST, THEN, A TMR BUS SERVICE TO EITHER La Fouly in Valley Ferret, and then walk up, or, a TMR BUS SERVICE to Bourg Saint Pierre in Valley Entremont, and then walk up. (Remember both places are in Switzerland so you need Swiss Francs not Euros).
PLEASE REFER TO WALKING CATEGORIES PAGE FOR DEFINITIONS OF A DIFFICULT WALK CATEGORY & FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DOING AN ADVENTURE LIKE THIS ESPECIALLY IF ALONE OR WITH YOUNGSTERS.
A few thoughts if trekking alone...
Discover fine views of Mont Blanc Massif mountains from the Swiss side from Col Chevaux in Switzerland and at Col Mille above Liddes.
Beware of landslides on the walk up to Bourg St Pierre from Liddes because on the right side of the river the paths are now closed and an alternative goes to the left side of the river up across a river to a farm, a chapel & a hotel to reach the village of Bourg St Pierre.
Enjoy biodiversity extraordinaire - alpine flowers in Valley Entremont & Valley Valsorey in Switzerland - not far from Bourg St Pierre village.
See geology in Combe de L'A area above and between Liddes & La Fouly in Switzerland.
Spy mountain animals (ibex families and bouquetin) in Italian Cols section near Rifugio Frassati, Italy.
Walk through Col Saint Bernard from Switzerland into Italy and continue on to Col Remy, Col Ceingles, Col Malatrait on the way to Rifuio Bonatti mountain hut which is very close to the Mont Blanc itself and Courmayeur on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc. See the Mont Blanc when descending from Col Malatrait to Rifugio Bonatti.
Enjoy the beautiful Bonatti balcony walk in front of Rifugio Bonatti with the Mont Blanc mountains in front of your nose
Go from Italy into Switzerland via Col Grand Ferret (it can be foggy & no visibility so stay away from the very dangerous edges) and then hike down to spectacular La Fouly from the top of the mountain (Col Grand Ferret) to see the glaciers and the beautiful scenery in Val Ferret (Swiss side) and aim to arrive by 7pm for the only supermarket in the area.
Or...BE MY GUEST...and book on to a guided Tour Saint Bernard trek for a 7 day walk with a trekking guide to see the highlights of the Saint Bernard Tour and sleep in alpine mountain huts in Switzerland & Italy along the way. Or book the Tour Mont Blanc which goes around the Mont Banc mountain through France, Italy & Switzerland (9 or 12 days).
You can do either challenge with an International Mountain Leader at www.MONTBLANCTRIPS.com
Discovery Tour: A 7 day discovery trip to take in the sights - a few ideas for you if walking solo
Valsorey hut is accessed via the Valsorey valley, Switzerland. A hut called Mont Vélan Refuge is opposite on the Mont Vélan side of the valley. Below is a description of the Tour Saint Bernard with a detour to see Mont Vélan and the Valsorey valley and Valsorey alpine mountain hut below the Grand Combin mountain.
DAY 1: Take a lift up 1/2 way from La Fouly in Val Ferret on a 2 seat ski lift half way up the mountain Basset and then walk the top section to the top on a steep path that is best done only when dry and very carefully to minimise landslide risk, from Basset top go down a mountain side in to Combe de L'A all the way down to Bavon rocks, then go around to the right and descend a beautiful woodland path to a water hydro electric plant lake, then go right up to Bourg St Pierre on the left side of river due to enormous landslide on right side of river, cross a road and head up and then stay left of childrens ski lift and left side of a farm boundary to reach the hotel / petrol station, continue along road and go down gently through an underpass to reach the mountain village of Bourg Saint Pierre, turn right in centre to reach café/bar/camp site in the centre of Bourg St Pierre. Sleep at Bourg St Pierre camping Saint Bernard. SWITZERLAND - Pay in Swiss Francs. Order croissants & bread rolls at the reception from the Michellod Bakery or visit the café in the village for coffee & croissant for 4 CHF which also sells basic provisions and has a reasonable menu.
View passing from Valley Ferret to Combe de L'A on the way to Entremont Valley - photo taken of Mont Vélan from Point des Grand Six
DAY 2: Visit Botanical gardens in Bourg St Pierre and walk to Valsorey Refuge (there and back) to arrive later afternoon with views to Mont Vélan and beneath the Grand Combin, last hour of walking before the hut are rocky and a bit steep. Return at night fall. Sleep at Bourg St Pierre camping Saint Bernard. SWITZERLAND - Pay in Swiss Francs. Order croissants & bread rolls at the reception from the Michellod Bakery or visit the café in the village for coffee & croissant for 4 CHF which also sells basic provisions and has a reasonable menu.
BOTANICAL GARDENS BOURG ST PIERRE HAVE A VARIETY OF JOUBARBE ENJOYING THE MORNING SUNSHINE
DAY 3: Bourg St. Pierre to Col Mille hut is a fabulous walk on the side of the Entremont valley which gives great views to Mont Blanc Massif mountains from the Swiss side to the left.
ENTREMONT VALLEY after the snow melts
COL MILLE HUT SERVING AREA & KITCHEN AREA IN SWITZERLAND
VIEWS TO THE MONT BLANC MASSIF MOUNTAINS FROM ABOVE BOURG SAINT PIERRE
On the right are glaciers below Grand Combin nr. the white houses area for winter ski touring! After refreshment at Col Mille descend to Liddes, there are a couple of restaurants/hotels there, and after refreshments walk up to Bourg St Pierre to camp, or stay in either of the 2 functional looking hotels which I noticed on the main road.
Bourg St Pierre camping Saint Bernard is well cared for and although very small does the job and has hot water although if you arrive at the same time as the marathon Mont Vélan you may find the hot water has been used up. It is in SWITZERLAND so pay in Swiss Francs. Order croissants & bread rolls at the camp site reception from the Michellod Bakery or visit the café in the village for coffee & croissant for 4 CHF, this café/restaurant also sells basic provisions and has a reasonable menu with a correct price list.
BOURG ST.PIERRE TOWN (CAFÉ, CAMPSITE, HOTEL, GUEST HOUSES) and near to Liddes mountain village too, and 1 day walk from mountain refuges i) Mont Vélan ii) Valsorey.
DAY 4: Bourg St Pierre to Lac Toules and then turn right & left up to Col Chevaux before walking around to Col St Bernard. Walk back down hill to Bourg St Pierre. Sleep Bourg St Pierre camping Saint Bernard. SWITZERLAND - Pay in Swiss Francs. Order croissants & bread rolls at the reception from the Michellod Bakery or visit the café in the village for coffee & croissant for 4 CHF which also sells basic provisions and has a reasonable menu.
VIEW TO MONT BLANC MASSIF MOUNTAINS
DAY 5: Bus to Col St Bernard (bus stop is by swimming pool/camp site in village) and then plate of delicious mixed salad lunch for 12CHF at restaurant on the right before heading to Col Remy & Col Ceingles & Lake Merdeaux to have Italian dinner at Refuge Frassati.
VIEW FROM JUST ON TOP OF / NEXT TO COL CEIGLES
From Col Ceigles head down a little and around to teh right wakling over toward the right shoulder and across horizontally to the hut without descending too far before turning right. Sleep at Refuge Frassati. ITALY - Pay in Euros. They provide a 3 course dinner and there is a bar and snacks and even Italian hams. Hot shower possible. Bunkbed accommodation in mountain dormitories. Walking T-shirts for sale.
VIEW FROM FRASETTI HUT IN ITALY BEFORE THE STORM ARRIVED, JUST BELOW COL MALATRAIT (OFF TO THE RIGHT) FROM WHERE THE LIGHTENING SEEMED TO BE FIRING DURING THE STORM AND THE ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS WERE BEING STIRRED UP SPICELY
DAY 6: Rain, windy, thunder and lightening arrived after breakfast. Day abandoned to a shelter day at mountain Rifugio Frassati. Delicious Italian ratatouille. Glass of Vino rosso in the evening. Rifugio Frassati. ITALY - Pay in Euros. 3 course dinner provided. Hot shower possible. Bunkbed accommodation in mountain dormitories.
RIFUGIO FRASSATI - Delicious Italian Ratatouille!!!
DAY 7: Walk to Col Malatrait going up steep valley side until you reach the blue rope and metal ladder steps and then head to the right. When I was there, a snow patch remained on the left side and looked more intimidating than it actually was from far below, the angle is not so steep when stood next to it but if icy crampons would be useful as the scree slope to the right of it can be slippy underfoot when very wet conditions prevail.
A FEW TREKKERS COMING UP THE SCREE SLOPE TO COL MALATRAIT. THE ROCKY TOP SECTION OF COL MALATRAIT HAS A ROPE AND A FEW METALS STEPS. SOME PEOPLE TAKE THE SNOW SLOPE UP/DOWN THE SIDE WHEN FROZEN WITH CRAMPONS ON IF THE ROCKS ARE ICY OR NOT VISIBLE.
IT TURNS OUT IT IS FAR EASIER THAN IT LOOKS FROM BELOW IN THE BOWL, BUT THERE IS A DROP DOWN THE MOUNTAIN IF YOU SLIP OFF OR LOOSE YOUR FOOTING SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL.
COL MALATRAIT
Descend from Col Malatrait to Refuge Bonatti for lunch - delicious baked aubergine (pay in Euros).
COL MALATRAIT LOOKING DOWN INTO MALATRAIT VALLEY ABOVE BONATTI MOUNTAIN HUT / RIFUGIO BONATTI
INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN LEADER IN COL MALATRAIT
Walk along Bonatti balcony and up to Col Grand Ferret (staying well to the right of dangerous cliff edge by going up straight ahead on steeper slope direct to top and along the top to the left to reach Col Grand Ferret cross & cairn to avoid the cliff edge lower down on left). Walk through Col into Switzerland and cross bowl ahead before swinging around to the right to descend to La Peule refuge with picnic tables & sun parasols and walk down track & road to reach Ferret village and La Fouly supermarket before 7pm closing time. Sleep at La Fouly Camping Glaciers. SWITZERLAND - Pay in Swiss Francs.
LA FOULY - Glaciers Dolent & A Nouva above the village of La Fouly
Book a Tour St Bernard on a 5 or 7 day trip via BOOK NOW - (both trips exclude Valsorey Refuge & Mont Vélan)
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