Valais Day 2: Cabane de Louvie - Cabane de Prafleuri (Louvie Hut - Prafleuri Hut)
Second stage of this hike crossing two passes, Louvie Pass and Prafleuri Pass, both snow-covered.
Caution, this route is Very difficult
This route requires a long and/or intense effort, either because of the difference in altitude or the distance involved, or both. In certain situations, there is also the possibility of technical and aerial sections.
A
Bagnes walk
posted on 07/03/15 by Tamtraductions. Last update : 17/05/16
Description
Go around Louvie Lake on the right bank (meaning the left of your hiking direction). At the other end of the lake, head in an almost constant north direction (S).
Keep following this trail regularly waymarked White Red White (Blanc Rouge Blanc BRB). Once you reach high point 2418, you'll find a path leading to Plan da Gole (1) to the right. Ignore it and start heading west. You'll reach another crossing at high point 2628 (2), meeting up with a trail coming from Termin pass and another called Chamonix-Zermatt Walker's route.
Take it to the right, it joins up with the path called Alpenpässe-Weg which you've been following since Louvie. Gradually head north-east within a mineral landscape, passing in front of Petit Mont-Fort Lake (3) before finishing the climb at Louvie Pass (4).
Start the hike down rapidly spotting the Grand Désert glacier to the right, head east, crossing the glacial lakes (5) forged by the glacier and start a short climb up to Prafleuri Pass. Reach the pass, which at an altitude of 2987 m is the highlight of the day (6).
Next, head east, then south, then south-east and after a long hike down you'll reach a meadow below Prafleuri Hut (7).
Start the last, short but steep climb to the hut (E) to end the day.
Waypoints
- S : km 0 - alt. 2,224 m
- 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 2,216 m
- 2 : km 1.74 - alt. 2,430 m
- 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 2,621 m
- 4 : km 4.44 - alt. 2,754 m
- 5 : km 5.14 - alt. 2,919 m
- 6 : km 6.2 - alt. 2,811 m
- 7 : km 8.22 - alt. 2,967 m
- E : km 10.16 - alt. 2,644 m
Useful Information
Water available everywhere but be careful, it comes directly from the glaciers so very cold and can cause some unpleasantness.
No shelter during the trek.
Careful: we did this in mid-July and the passes were covered in snow, especially Prafleuri Pass. Of course, the marks had been traced (the route is particularly busy), that being said, it is more for experienced hikers, even during nice weather. It's better to wait if the weather isn't suitable as although the stage is short, it is tedious.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
This high mountain area has an acute mineral landscape.
Grand Désert glacier, has unfortunately significantly retreated from what one of my friends, who first did the hike twenty odd years ago, has told me.
