Tour des Dents du Midi, Switzerland / Self guided & guided
Seven summits over 3,000m, one 3km long limestone wall visible from Lake Geneva, and a quiet hut-to-hut trail right at its foot. This is the Tour des Dents du Midi – the wilder, quieter alternative to Tour du Mont Blanc.
This classic 5-day, 4-night tour in Valais starts in Van d’en Haut above Martigny, easily reached by Mont Blanc Express from Martigny. You hike almost entirely around the Dents du Midi massif dominated by Haute Cime at 3,257m – through Salanfe lake, over Col de Susanfe at 2,494m, down the impressive Pas d’Encel with chains, over the Saufla suspension bridge, to the crystal-clear lakes of Anthème at 2,035m and Auberge de Chindonne.
You can book it two ways:
1. Self-Guided – Freedom at your own pace. You hike only with your own group of 2-8 friends or family, no guide, no other groups. We organize everything: we reserve your 4 mountain huts – in private rooms where available or dorms, with dinners and breakfasts, and you get our detailed route book, GPX tracks for your phone, packing list and transport info. You carry your backpack and decide when you start and where you picnic.
2. Guided Private – With your own mountain leader. Same route, but with a local Patagoniatiptop guide walking only with your private group. The guide manages safety, knows all shortcuts and the best lunch spots, explains flora, fauna and geology, handles weather decisions and hut logistics, and translates in the huts. Ideal for your first hut-to-hut tour or if you want to switch off completely and learn.
Is this tour for you? Yes, if you check these boxes:
Fitness – The same for self-guided and guided:
You hike regularly and are comfortable walking 3 to 5 hours effective per day
Daily: 7 to 11km, +300m to +700m ascent, -200m to -1’000m descent
The queen stage Day 2 [Salanfe to Bonavau] is 11km, +618m / -998m, 5.5h – this is the hardest day
You can carry a light backpack 6-8kg for 5 days
No need to be an athlete – we go at your pace – but you should not start this tour without training
Technical Level – T2 / T3 Swiss Hiking Scale [moderate mountain hiking]:
Well-marked and maintained trails [yellow and white-red-white]
No via ferrata, no glacier, no climbing, no crampons needed
Mostly good hiking paths, sometimes stony and rooty in forest [Magic Forest to Mex]
One short exposed section Day 2 at Pas d’Encel with chains and cables – secured, but you should not have severe vertigo. We cross it slowly.
Sure-footedness required: you are steady on uneven terrain and can walk downhill on loose ground
Difference between Self-Guided and Guided Private:
SELF-GUIDED – you need:
You are an autonomous mountain hiker – you can read trail marks, follow a GPX on your phone and a paper map
You can assess weather and adapt – we give you all info, but you decide on the mountain
You have already done at least 2-3 mountain hikes of 4-5h in the last year
Navigation: easy to moderate – trail is well marked, but fog can happen on Col de Susanfe at 2’494m
GUIDED PRIVATE – easier access:
No navigation skills needed – your mountain leader navigates, manages time, and chooses the safest variant if Mauvoisin is in high water
We coach you on the exposed Pas d’Encel, we carry emergency gear and first aid
Perfect if it’s your first multi-day hut-to-hut tour, if you hike rarely, or if you want to learn about alpine safety, flora, geology of the Dents du Midi
Technical and fitness requirement stays the same, but you have a pro with you – more confidence
NOT suitable if:
You have strong vertigo or knee problems for long descents [Day 2 is -1’000m]
You have never hiked more than 2h in mountains
You want to run it – this is a slow down, nature tour, not a trail race
The first hike leads from the village of Salvan trough the impressive Gorge de Dalley up to Van d’en Haut. From here steeply up to the Salanfe guest house. It lies next to a water reservoir and is the perfect place to spend your first night in the mountains. If you prefer a shorter hike you can take the local bus to Van d’en Haut and start your hike there.
Overnight at the Auberge de Salanfe with dinner, showers are available
Hike: 4km, + 600m
From Auberge de Salanfe (1950m), follow the alpine road along the lake and up to Col de Susanfe (2494 m), a wide cut between the Haute Cime and the Tour Sallière. It is the high point of the tour, which you leave by descending to Cabane de Susanfe (2102 m). The traditional mountain hut is the perfect stop for a coffee and cake break.
From the Cabane de Susanfe (2102 m), follow the path that winds in the Combe de Susanfe and continue over the reservoir of Giétroz into a deep gorge and the Pas d’Encel. Chains are installed to help hikers getting down the steep and exposed trail. After the Gorge it’s a short hike to the wonderful Refuge de Bonavau (1550 m).
Overnight and dinner at Refuge de Bonavau. There are no showers.
Estimated hiking time: 5.5h
Hike: 11km, +618, -998m
From the Refuge de Bonavau (1550 m), the trail leads over an impressive suspension bridge over the Saufla river. The trail now climbs up to Rossetan Alpages and to the Chalet de Métecoui (1775 m).
From here you will have a unique view over the valley and the beautiful region of Planachaux, Les Crosets and Les Portes du Soleil. After some efforts, you reach the two small lakes of Anthème (2035 m), real emanations of gentleness and tranquility in the middle of a green plateau, limited by the Arête de Sélaire and the Dent de la Chaux. A little further down is the Cabane d’Anthème (2037 m).
Overnight and dinner at Cabane d’Anthème. There are cold showers.
Estimated hiking time: 3h
Hike: 7.3km, +687, – 203
From the Cabane d’Anthème (2037 m) you hike at the same altitude to the Signal de Soi (2013 m). This traverse below the cliffs, where streams flow down from the Glacier de Soi, is beautiful. Overlooked by the impressive north face of the Dents-du-Midi and the hanging glacier of Chalin, the trail leads through the wild Chalin cirque to the charming clearing of Majedo. The path continues over a hollow interspersed with alders to the alpine pastures of Valère and Valerette. With good weather the Dent de Valerette is worth visiting – a superb viewpoint. From here you continue towards Auberge de Chindonne (1604 m).
Overnight stay and dinner in rooms of the Auberge de Chindonne, hot showers available.
Estimated hiking time: 5h
Hike: 11.7km, +306m, – 734m
From Auberge de Chindonne we walk 10 minutes to Auberge des Jeurs for a last magnificent view of the Grand Muveran and Dent de Morcles. The path then continues almost flat along the Cretta des Jeurs before zigzagging down towards Le Cleusey.
The last 3km to Mex is what we call the “Magic Forest” – a gentle up and down through the lush forests of Seintanère and Orgières, crossing streams and small waterfalls with incredibly rich vegetation. Not panoramic, but pure enchantment and total silence.
You arrive in the authentic mountain village of Mex with its cosy guesthouse and restaurant with a beautiful terrace.
Optional detour for fit hikers: at km 6.6, after the last Mauvoisin crossing, climb to Aiguille de Mex for a spectacular 360° panorama on the Dents du Midi and the Rhone plain, then rejoin the trail 1km before Mex.
From here you can take the bus down to Saint Maurice or extend your hike up to Auberge de Salanfe for an extra night or all the way down to Van d’en Haut.
Goal: light backpack, max 7-8kg. This is a hut-to-hut tour, no tent needed. You carry your own pack every day.
HIKING GEAR – Required
Hiking boots – mid-high, broken-in, with good grip. No sneakers, no new boots.
Backpack 30-35L – with rain cover
Hiking poles – highly recommended for Col de Susanfe & descent to Bonavau
Water bottles / bladder – min. 1.5L
CLOTHING – Mountain weather changes fast
Waterproof jacket – Gore-Tex or similar, mandatory
Waterproof pants – light, packable
Hiking pants – 2x quick-dry
Base layers – 2x merino or synthetic tops
Mid layer – fleece or light down jacket
Underwear / socks – 3x hiking socks + 1x hut socks
Sun cap + warm beanie
Buff / neck gaiter
Light gloves
FOR HUT OVERNIGHTS
Sleeping bag liner – silk or cotton, mandatory in all huts [no sleeping bags needed]
Headlamp – small, for dorms
Small towel – quick-dry
Earplugs – dorms can be noisy
Toiletries – small sizes, toothbrush, sunscreen
Hut slippers – light flip-flops or crocs for inside
Cash – CHF / EUR – many huts have no card signal
SAFETY & OTHER
Sunglasses – Cat 3 or 4 + sunscreen SPF 50 + lip balm
Phone + charger + power bank
GPX on phone + paper map – we provide both
Small first aid – blister plasters, painkillers, your medication
Snacks / energy bars – for 5 days [lunch is picnic you buy at the huts]
ID / passport + insurance card + cash
Costs are based on private rooms in the huts where available and dorms in the other, This tour can be cheaper if you would like to book it with dorms only instead of private rooms
Guided Tours:
Organisation, certified mountain leader guide, 4 nights at mountain huts in private rooms and dorms with dinners and breakfasts, showers where available
Self guided Tours:
Organisation, 4 nights at mountain huts in private rooms and dorms with dinners and breakfasts, showers where available, detailed route information and accommodation plan, gpx tracks, packing list
Personal insurances, lunches and snacks, beverages, transportation to hiking start and back at the end
Why Choose Us
Insurance
Travel insurance is not included in our adventures.
We strongly recommend that you purchase insurance to cover cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability.
Accident or injury. Unexpected medical expenses. Unplanned incidents are rare but can crop up when you travel.
Gift vouchers
Give the gift of adventure with a Patagoniatiptop GmbH Certificate! Perfect for a mountaineering gift for your son’s birthday, a ski weekend for your best friend or a skitouring trip for your wife. Or … why not invite yourself?
How it works
Contact us and let us know how much you would like to spend. Let us know who is the lucky person to receive the voucher. We will then send the voucher to you or to the address you tell us.
