Tour des Combins - stage 5 - MAUVOISIN – CABANE CHANRION - MAUVOISIN

The Tour des Combins Stage 5 is a 10.7 km point-to-point alpine trail in the Valais region of Switzerland, climbing roughly 790 m of elevation from Mauvoisin to the Cabane de Chanrion at 2,462 m over about 3.5 to 4 hours. Rated moderate to demanding, it traces the shore of Europe's highest arch dam before reaching a remote mountain hut.

About the Tour des Combins - stage 5 - MAUVOISIN – CABANE CHANRION - MAUVOISIN

Stage 5 of the Tour des Combins links the hamlet of Mauvoisin (1,824 m) with the Cabane de Chanrion (2,462 m), deep in the Val de Bagnes of canton Valais, Switzerland. At 10.7 km and a signed walking time of 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, it is one of the shorter stages on the circuit, but the setting is among the most dramatic. The trail belongs to the Regional Walking Network (RWN), a significant signed route maintained to Swiss hiking standards, with the familiar yellow diamonds and white-red-white markings of mountain paths.

The defining feature of the day is the Lac de Mauvoisin and its arch dam, one of the highest of its kind in Europe at 250 m. The route crosses the dam crest, threads a series of rock-cut tunnels along the eastern shore, and then climbs steadily into a glacial amphitheatre ringed by the peaks of the Grand Combin massif (4,314 m). Because the path gains close to 790 m and finishes above 2,400 m, hikers should treat it as a genuine high-mountain outing rather than a valley stroll, even though the distance looks modest on paper.

This stage is typically walked as part of the wider Tour des Combins, a circular trek straddling the Swiss-Italian border that most parties complete in five to seven days. Stage 5 is the section that pushes hikers furthest from road access, ending at a Swiss Alpine Club hut with no vehicle connection — a point worth keeping in mind when planning food, water and timing.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below breaks Stage 5 into its three natural segments. The official OpenStreetMap and trail-authority figure for the full stage is 10.7 km with 3.5–4 hours of walking; the segment splits below are indicative and help with pacing on the day.

Total: 10.7 km, roughly 790 m of ascent and a finish at 2,462 m. Strong walkers who connect onward toward the Fenêtre de Durand pass (2,797 m) or the Col de Tsofeiret (2,630 m) on the longer Grand Tour variant should add several hours and over 1,200 m of climbing — a very different undertaking from the standard stage described here.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Mauvoisin Dam (1,961 m crest): A 250 m arch dam, among the highest in Europe, holding back the 4.5 km-long Lac de Mauvoisin. The crossing of the crest is the day's signature moment.
• Lac de Mauvoisin: A turquoise reservoir fed by the glaciers of the Grand Combin, fringed by near-vertical rock walls and seasonal waterfalls.
• The rock tunnels: A series of short, hand-cut galleries blasted through the cliffs above the lake; a head-torch is useful for the longer ones.
• Grand Combin massif (4,314 m): The glaciated giant that dominates the skyline to the west throughout the climb.
• Glacier de Brenay and Glacier d'Oren: Hanging ice and moraine that come into view as the valley opens out near the head of the lake.
• Cabane de Chanrion (2,462 m): A Swiss Alpine Club hut on a grassy plateau, a base for peaks like the Mont Avril (3,347 m) and a crossroads of high alpine routes.
• Alpine flora and ibex: The meadows around Chanrion host marmots, chamois and, on lucky days, herds of ibex grazing the slopes.
• Plateau de Tsofeiret: A wide, gently graded shelf on the approach offering the first full panorama of the surrounding glaciers.

Best Time to Hike the Tour des Combins - stage 5 - MAUVOISIN – CABANE CHANRION - MAUVOISIN

The viable season runs from late June to late September. Before mid-June, snowfields linger on the higher sections of the climb and the Cabane de Chanrion is not yet wardened, while October typically brings the first heavy snow and the hut closes for winter. The single best month is August: snow has cleared from the path, daytime temperatures at lake level sit around 16–20°C, and the hut runs a full warden service with meals.

July is a strong second choice, with long daylight and reliable trail conditions, though afternoon thunderstorms are common across the Valais Alps — an early start is wise. September rewards hikers with quieter trails, clearer air and the first autumn colours, but nights at 2,462 m can drop below freezing. As of 2026, the standard recommendation from regional hut wardens is to begin walking by 8–9 a.m. to reach Chanrion before any afternoon weather builds over the Grand Combin. Always check the live snow and avalanche bulletin and the hut's opening dates before committing to a fixed date.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The stage finishes at the Cabane de Chanrion (2,462 m), owned by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC/CAS). A dormitory bed with half-board (dinner and breakfast) costs roughly EUR 75–85 per person, and SAC members receive a discount. The hut sleeps around 90 and is staffed from late June to late September; reservation in advance is essential in peak summer. There is no camping immediately at the hut, though wild bivouac is tolerated discreetly at altitude under Swiss custom — you must be fully self-sufficient for water and food.

At the start, Mauvoisin has the Hotel de Mauvoisin, with rooms from about EUR 110 and dormitory-style options; book ahead, as the hamlet is tiny. Down-valley in Fionnay and Lourtier you will find additional guesthouses and a campsite at Le Châble for those staging the trek over several days. Carry enough cash, as card payment can be unreliable at remote huts.

Getting There & Back

The gateway is Le Châble railway station, reached by Swiss rail from Geneva Airport in about 2 hours 30 minutes via Martigny. From Le Châble, a PostBus runs up the Val de Bagnes to Mauvoisin in roughly 50 minutes during the summer timetable (services are seasonal and limited, so check times the night before). Driving, Mauvoisin is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Martigny with paid parking at the trailhead. Because Stage 5 is point-to-point and ends at a road-free hut, plan your return around the wider Tour des Combins loop or arrange to retrace the route. Full timetables are published by the national rail operator SBB.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk Stage 5 — Switzerland allows free access to its mountain footpaths. Costs are limited to transport, parking (around EUR 12 per day at Mauvoisin) and hut half-board. There are no national-park entry fees on this section. The hut and route are managed within the Swiss Alpine Club system; details on the Cabane de Chanrion and its reservation portal are published by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC/CAS).

Gear & Packing List

This is a high-alpine day finishing above 2,400 m, so pack for cold, wind and rapid weather change even in midsummer. Bring waterproof shell layers, an insulating mid-layer, gloves and a warm hat for the hut, sturdy boots with grip for the tunnels and any old snow, trekking poles for the climb, and a head-torch for the rock galleries. Carry at least 1.5–2 litres of water, sun protection, and a small first-aid kit.

A light, well-fitted pack makes the 790 m climb far more comfortable. For a hut-to-hut load, a 35–55 litre pack is ideal — consider the Abisko Hike 35 for a trimmed kit, the 2400 Windrider for ultralight setups, or the Arc Haul Ultra 50L if you need a little more volume. If you are weighing up packs in general, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven models head to head. Use the HikeLoad gear tool to balance load distribution before you leave.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the glaciated drama of the Tour des Combins appeals, several other classic alpine and long-distance routes share its character — high passes, hut nights and big mountain views. The Tour du Mont Blanc - Itinéraire principal is the obvious next step, circling the Mont Blanc massif on well-served trails. The committing Chamonix-Zermatt Walker's route shares the same Valais terrain and crosses similar high cols. For something more rugged, the GR 20 Principale in Corsica is a tougher test, while long-distance walkers may enjoy the European long distance path E9 - B-NL or the Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8 for multi-week journeys. For a guided multi-day Balkan alternative, see our walk-through of the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Stage 5 of the Tour des Combins?
August is the single best month. Snow has cleared from the climb to 2,462 m, daytime temperatures at the lake sit around 16–20°C, and the Cabane de Chanrion runs a full warden service with meals. July is also reliable but brings afternoon storms, while September is quieter and colder, with sub-zero nights at the hut. Avoid the shoulder weeks before late June.

How difficult is the Mauvoisin to Cabane de Chanrion stage?
It is rated moderate to demanding. The distance is short at 10.7 km, but it climbs around 790 m and finishes above 2,400 m on a genuine high-mountain path. Sections cross rock tunnels and exposed lakeshore, and altitude can sap energy. Hikers with reasonable fitness and surefooted experience on alpine trails will manage it comfortably in 3.5 to 4 hours.

How long is each day on this stage?
Stage 5 itself is a single day of 10.7 km, signed at 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours of walking, plus stops. Most hikers reach the Cabane de Chanrion in time for a late lunch if they start mid-morning. On the longer Grand Tour variant that adds the Fenêtre de Durand pass, the same day can extend to 24 km and over nine hours, so confirm which version you are walking.

What accommodation is available on the route?
The stage ends at the Cabane de Chanrion (2,462 m), a Swiss Alpine Club hut offering dormitory beds with half-board for roughly EUR 75–85 per person, staffed from late June to late September. Booking ahead is essential in peak summer. At the start, Mauvoisin has a small hotel from about EUR 110, with more guesthouses and a campsite down-valley in Fionnay, Lourtier and Le Châble.

Do I need a permit to hike Stage 5?
No permit is required. Switzerland grants free public access to its mountain footpaths, so there are no trail fees or national-park charges on this section. Your only costs are transport, around EUR 12 per day for parking at Mauvoisin, and half-board at the Cabane de Chanrion. Carry cash, as card payment is unreliable at remote alpine huts. Reserve hut beds in advance during the summer season.

Planning your daily food and energy needs at altitude matters too — see how to estimate how many calories you need hiking a full day before you pack your trail meals.