Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R106
Anzeindaz » Col du Demècre
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10h15 |
25.3 km
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1903 m
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1433 m
Leave Anzeindaz via the Col des Essets heading southward. The pass trail leads down to Pont de Nant. From here, dip into the Vallon de Nant valley and climb over the Col des Perris Blancs up to the Alpe la Tourche. Continue on the high-altitude trail to the Alp Rionda and further along following the southern flank of the Dent de Morcles to the Col du Demècre pass, the stage destination.
Leave Anzeindaz walking between the two marsh areas in a southward direction. The trail takes a gentle incline over pastureland with numerous rock boulders. On reaching the Essets pass, pass some rocky outcrops and head down into the wide Plan de Bouis mountain valley. The mountain path leads gradually into the valley to the La Vare alpine huts. From here, follow the alpine trail down into the valley, past Alp Richard to the Pont de Nant bridge, a popular excursion destination, with the Thomasia alpine garden. Here, turn into the little Nant valley, which is under nature protection and where there are numerous information panels on the particularities of this valley, and follow the mountain stream until reaching Alp Nant. After around 1.5km, the climb to the Perris Blancs pass begins: first comes the climb to the Les Martinets terrace, followed by a walk over the moraines up to the pass crossing. The climb is rewarded with a unique panorama stretching from Mont Blanc to the Genfersee lake. The descent from the Perris Blancs pass to La Tourche requires you to be extremely careful, as parts of the mountain trail were blasted out of the rocks. After the rocky terrain, head down on a grassy ridge to the La Tourche hut. The alpine trail continues on a level course to the Rionda Alp. From here, the rock trail leads to the Demècre pass, which in several exposed parts requires you to be sure of foot and free of vertigo. This demanding part of the trail can be circumvented by taking the route from the Rionda Alp via L'Au d'Arbignon and Chalet Neuf to the Demècre pass. Both routes meet in Dzéman, after which follows another steep climb to the Demècre pass, the stage destination. Finally, the extraordinary view into the Unterwallis and Oberwallis largely makes up for the strains of the day.
(Schweizer Wanderwege).
Natural and cultural heritage
Nant Valley The little Nant valley has been a cantonal nature reserve since 1969 and has been included on the inventory of landscapes and natural monuments of national importance since 1996. A harsh climate and the Martinets glaciers affect the narrow valley’s vegetation. Over 1,000 different plant species grow on the calciferous earth. These are essentially pioneer plants, as the rock boulders and stony terrain create niches protected from the wind for them. This vegetative abundance was the reason for which the valley was placed under protection back in 1969. The Thomasia alpine garden in Le Pont de Nant offers an insight into the plant diversity. It houses over 3,000 plant species, streams flow through the miniature alps and, between rocky hills, you will find all of the mountain flowers that occur naturally in the Nant valley. In the 1960s, the army wanted to establish a training ground there for its tanks. But conservationists drew attention to the great species diversity in the valley and succeeded in preventing the sale of the valley to the army. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
Useful topographic maps
272T St-Maurice ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
Grand-St-Bernard / Dents du Midi-Les Diablerets ~ Kümmerly und Frey AG, 3052 Zollikofen (1: 60'000)
Useful guidebooks
Unterwallis / Waeber/Steinbichler ~ Bergverlag Rudolf Rother GmbH (ISBN 3-7633-4128-5)
Du Léman à Sion / André Beerli ~ Editions Ketty & Alexandre (ISBN 2-88114-026-2)
Picture gallery
Add your own pictures!
Comments
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Houdayer Alain - 2022-09-07
De passage en juillet 22 sur l'étape Godey à La Tourche,trés beau refuge,trés bon accueil et bonne cuisine.
Berta - 2018-07-16
Das Rifugio La Tourche ist ein wunderbarer Platz, schöne Lager, gutes Essen und ein gewaltiger Blick auf den Mt.Blanc, den Genfer See und in das Rhonetal. Halbpension 62 CHF
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The Rifugio La Tourche is a wonderful place, beautiful camps, good food and a magnificent view of the Mt.Blanc, Lake Geneva and the Rhone Valley. Half board 62 CHF
Rain made the trail from Col du Demecre to Col des Perris Blancs very slippery. Caution is advised. The Vare is a good place to stay the night to make this stage shorter.
Tentorini Chantal - 2015-09-28
La montée au Col des Perris blancs est très glissante par temps de pluie (glaise). Il y a eu 2 chutes cet été dont une mortelle.
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The climb to the Col White Perris is very slippery in wet weather (clay). There were two falls this summer, one fatal.
Alpinisten - 2015-08-16
Man kann sehr gut ab Godey bis zur Alpage La Ware laufen und am nächsten Tag dann bis La Tourche- beide Ziele bieten eine angenehme Unterkunft. Sehr gemütlich ist es bei Bernard in La Ware. Karin Moix von La Tourche ist eine fantastische Hüttenwirtin!
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You can walk up to the Alpage La goods and then the next day to La Tourche- both goals offer a pleasant accommodation very good from Godey. Very cozy time at Bernard in La Goods. Karin Moix of La Tourche is a fantastic warden!
Tof - 2015-02-06
Trieste-Monaco le 10/9/14
A pont de Nant il y a un jardin botanique des espèces alpines.
Il est conseillé de prendre du temps pour lire les panneaux explicatifs sur le chemin afin de savoir à quoi ce magnifique secteur à échappé.
Après le col des Perris Blancs passage en vire des boeufs (attention en cas de neige) pour rejoindre La Tourche. Magnifique ambiance amplifiée par le brouillard levant. Tichodrome echelette observé sur la paroi de la vire exposée nord-ouest.
Beau panorama depuis la Tourche. Cause départ tardif, itinéraire hors via depuis Rionda. Direction l'Au d'Arbignon sur superbe sentier escarpé en forêt.
A la ferme de l'Au d'Arbignon ravito et couchage possible. J'ai découvert le fromage local (le Sérac) et la saucisse de boeuf du patron. Merci Manon!
Bivouac difficile avant Plex car sentier en surplomb. Petit coin de plat avant "la fontaine de Moïse", au droit d'une cabane.
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Trieste-Monaco on 10/9/14 A bridge Nant there is a botanical garden of alpine species. It is advisable to take time to read the information boards on the way to know what this beautiful escaped sector. After the pass of Perris passage turns white oxen (careful in case of snow) to join the Tourche. Wonderful atmosphere amplified by the rising fog. Wallcreeper observed on the wall of the ledge facing northwest. Beautiful view from the Tourche. Cause late check-out via route from Rionda. Direction of the Arbignon on beautiful steep path through the forest. At the farm of the Arbignon of ravito and sleeping possible. I discovered the local cheese (the Sérac) and sausage beef boss. Manon thank you! Bivouac difficult before because Plex path overhead. Corner of dish before "the fountain of Moses," the right of a hut.
Elisabeth - 2014-12-05
Il est déconseillé de monter au col du Demècre par le sentier des vires par temps de pluie. Hélas, la variante par Lau d'Arbignon fait un grand détour !
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You should not go up to the neck Demècre by trail ledges in the rain. Alas, the variant of Arbignon Lau made a great trip!
Joc - 2014-10-28
La traversée en direction de la cabane de la Tourche, au pied de la Dent de Morcle est impressionnante, éviter de s'y engager seul. Superbe vue sur les Dents du Midi et le massif du Mt-Blanc.
Ne pas manquer d'aller visiter l'ancien abri militaire en bois juste avant le col des Perris Blancs (on le voit aisément quand on monte vers le col, sur la gauche peu avant le col).
L'Auberge du Pont de Nant est agréable pour une nuit, bien que plus touristique que montagnard.
La Vare est sympa, mais situé dans une cuvette où il fait frais (voire froid). Bons sirops maison.
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The crossing to the cabin of the Tourche at the foot of the Dent de Morcle is impressive, not to engage them alone. Superb views of the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc massif. Do not miss to visit the former military wooden shed just before the pass of Perris Blancs (easily seen when you go up to the pass on the left just before the pass). L'Auberge du Pont de Nant is nice for a night, although more touristy than mountain. The Vare is nice, but located in a basin where it is cool (or cold). Syrups good home.
in between Col du Demecre refuge and cabane La Tourche plenty of possible accomodation off via Alpina (Alpage l'au de l'arbignon 1650m about 15CHF food + bed et chalet Neuf 1860m 10CHF water available)
Chalet Neuf is 1h down from Col du Demecre, L'au de l'arbignon 30min later
1h30 from l'au de l'arbignon to reach cabane La Tourche
La tourche - Col des perris blancs 1h going up
Col des perris blancs - Pont de Nant 2h30
25CHF at Auberge communal Pont de nant (super clean)
possible bivouac in the vincinity (open shelter on the way to La vare)
Possible to sleep in La Vare (nice and quiet)
Pont de nant - Anzeindaz about 2h30
Dom Lalot - 2013-09-01
Pour ceux qui veulent bivouaquer, Rionda est un ancien emplacement militaire avec une vue exceptionnelle, de l'eau, des WC, des terrasses plates.
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For those who want bivouac Rionda is a former military location with an exceptional view, water, toilets, flat terraces.
Jean-Louis GIRAUD - 2013-05-19
Le mauvais temps puis une erreur d'itinéraire dans le brouillard et la neige m'ont conduit à réorganiser les étapes...Aprés la traversée du Col des Perris Blancs,
j'ai fait étape à la Cabane de la TOURCHE . Peu de monde dans ce refuge de 54 places reconstruit en 2011 sur un promontoire offrant une vue extrordinaire sur le Massif du Mont-Blanc !
Accueil trés sympa de Karine MOIX .
Le soir " rosti " de rigueur et "thé de marche" le lendemain matin !
Nuit tranquille dans un petit dortoir disposant d'une literie et de couvertures neuves.
Douche et lavabos...avec eau froide !
Tel : 00 41 (0)79 386 09 68
Email : info@tourche.ch
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Bad weather and a route error in the fog and snow led me to reorganize the steps ... After crossing the Col des Perris Blancs, I step to the Shack Tourche. Few people in this shelter 54 seats rebuilt in 2011 on a promontory with a extrordinaire view of the Mont Blanc massif! Home Karine MOIX very nice. The evening "rosti" rigor and "walking tea" the next morning! Quiet night in a small dormitory featuring a new bedding and blankets. Shower and sink with cold water ...! Tel: 00 41 (0) 79 386 09 68 Email: info@tourche.ch
Wäldlerin - 2012-09-28
Ich empfehle diese Alpe auch sehr.
Waren Anfang August bei trüben Wetter dort und die einzigen fremden Gäste.
Die Leute sind sehr sehr nett und die Lager ausgezeichnet und ohne stinkenden Storm generator wie in Andzeindaz. Ich würde empfehlen hier die Route zu variren und in La Vare zu übernachten.
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I recommend this very Alpe. Were the beginning of August in cloudy weather there and the only foreign guests. The people are very nice and excellent bearings and without stinking Storm generator as in Andzeindaz. I would recommend this to variren the route and stay in La Vare.
Mountain Girl - 2011-10-30
I stayed at La Vare and highly recommend it. A clean, cozy dortoir in a setting that does resemble Mongolia. Instead of yaks, there are plenty of black cows to watch. The guardian and staff are very friendly and helpful. Supper was a savory lentil dish, prepared with locally-plucked herbs. Dessert was an outstanding Breton pie. What a welcome change from normal hut food!
Le Richard is far more "basic", to put it kindly. I believe the 'beds' are on straw in the barn. No showers that I could see. (Le Vare doesn't have showers either.) On the plus side, you may get to watch grandmere et grandpere making cheese at Le Richard, in a scene unchanged from the last century.
Pont de Nant is at the trailhead, with a large parking lot and lots of day hikers. Anzeindaz also had TONS of day hikers when I passed through in August 2011.
Daniel - 2010-10-17
I stayed at Pont de Nant (Dorms), which is very comfortable, but has uninterested staff and a generator running all night. But OK if the need a showed or electricity to charge your laptop. But I passed le Richard (which has dorm too), and would have liked to stay there! They sell cheese at le Richard too.
La Vare looks OK too. When you pass there you feel you are BACK in Mongolia.
Daniel - 2010-10-17
The valley of the Nant is very spectacular in beauty. The military wanted to make this an artillery testsite, instead it was turned into a natural reserve. Going south, it first looks easy but the climb to the Col des Perris Blancs steadily gets steeper. Watch the old army barrack near the col.
Daniel - 2010-10-17
Between Dzéman (spelling!) and Rionda we follow the Rhone way up. This is a spectacular view, the Mont Blanc and the other end the Geneva Lake. On the other side Les Dents Blanc which we passed the day after yesterday (or tomorrow). Rionda is an abandoned military barrack where you can get water. (last waterpoint until Demecre (incuded))
Daniel - 2010-10-17
The relatively new Col de Demecre Refuge used to be an army barrack for soldiers who manned a gun to shoot off enemies rowing up the Rhone. There seems to be an advanced tunneling system under here. Now the refuge is proudly build and run by a local community. During winter you must enter the building by the roof! There is NO running water in or near the hut.
Lou Papé - 2009-08-02
Ne pas hésiter à passer la nuit au refuge de La Vare afin de couper cette très longue étape: accueil très sympa du gardien (un berger corrèzien), repas délicieux et abondant, dortoir impécable. Malheureusement, sa compagne (une bretonne spécialiste des crèpes) était absente lors de notre passage.
Automatic translation
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Do not hesitate to spend the night in the shelter of the Vare to cut this long stage: very nice home guardian (shepherd Corrèze), abundant and delicious meals, dormitory impeccable. Unfortunately, his girlfriend (a specialist Breton pancakes) was absent during our visit.
Lou Papé - 2009-07-28
Un must comme étape avec comme récompense au col des Perris Blancs une vue fantastique sur le Mt Blanc et sur le lac de Genève
Automatic translation
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Must be a stage with as a reward at the Col des Blancs Perris fantastic views of the Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva
|
10h15 |
25.3 km
|
1903 m
|
1433 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.