©  (c) Guillaume Favre / Crans-Montana Tourisme & Congrès
©  (c) François Panchard / Crans Montana Tourisme & Congrès
©  (c) Laura Rey / Crans Montana Tourisme & Congrès
©  (c) Crans Montana Tourisme & Congrès
©  (c) Crans Montana Tourisme & Congrès
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Huiton trail

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The trail starts at Plaine Morte at nearly 3,000 m, with an extraordinary view of the glacier and surrounding peaks. It descends west to the magnificent Lake Huiton, then climbs back up the Col du Pochet before ending by crossing an alpine meadow to the Cabane des Violettes.

  • Difficulty moderate
  • Duration 2:36 h
  • Distance 7,4 km
  • 162 m
  • 816 m
Tags
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Round trip
  • Summit route
  • Scenic
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The Huiton trail first takes you to the tip of Plaine Morte at 2,927 m. It offers a viewpoint over the Valais Alps chain. Furthermore, if you look to the north, you will distinguish the distant horizon of the Jura ridges. Then descending west, you enter the historic Huiton site, an important place in the struggle for water supply of Grand Lens. Between 1870 and 1925, the natural dams of the four basins and lakes of the valley were pierced by tunnels to allow the water to flow towards torrents and irrigation channels downstream of the frontal rock barrier. At the bottom of the valley, you exit by crossing the foothill via the Col des Gendarmes from where you descend towards Aziét** at 2,400 m. You will then have to climb to 2,500 m to pass the Col du Pochet. From there, by a trail among the greenery of the alpine meadow, you reach the Cabane des Violettes around 2,200 m, from where the cable car will bring you back to the resort.

  • Approach

    To reach Crans-Montana by car, take the A9 motorway exit (Rhône motorway) called "Sierre East". At the motorway exit, continue straight ahead. At the roundabout, follow the signs indicating "Sierre/Crans-Montana", then drive through the villages of Venthône, Mollens, Randogne and Bluche. Once arrived in Crans-Montana, follow the signs to reach the Violettes lift parking.

    The journey takes about 20 minutes from Sierre "East".

  • The Crans-Montana resort is accessible from Sierre station by SMC bus company or the funicular as well as from Sion station by postal buses.

    The free shuttles of the SMC bus company serve the entire Crans-Montana resort.

    Then take the lifts to the summit of the Violettes and change to the funitel to reach the Plaine Morte.

  • Barzettes-Violettes parking

    Address: Barzettes-Violettes Parking, Route des Barzettes, 3963 Crans-Montana

    Paid outdoor parking: 110 spaces

    Paid indoor parking: 411 spaces

  • Take the Barzettes-Violettes cable car, then the Funitel from Plaine Morte to reach the starting point. Descend passing by Lake Huiton, the Col des Gendarmes, the Col du Pochet, to arrive at the Restaurant des Violettes.

  • Some sections are not recommended for people prone to vertigo.

    Be careful not to slip as it is a downhill path with stones.

    Follow the marked trails. Please respect the fauna, flora: nature.

    Check the weather conditions before your departure.

    Crans-Montana Tourism & Congress declines all responsibility in case of accident.

  • Good hiking shoes are recommended.

    The weather changes quickly at altitude, plan to bring clothing accordingly.

  • This path is always slightly downhill until the intersection “Lake Huiton – or Wildstrubel Hut”. You can either descend directly by the lake – or you can climb for about 30 minutes and add a loop via the “Wisshorelücke”, a small pass from which you can also descend to the Wildstrubel Hut.

    Plaine Morte–Lake Huiton–Violettes will take about 2h35, but adding the loop through the “Wisshorelücke” will require about 3h20, with about 30 minutes extra ascent.

  • For any other information: www.crans-montana.ch/rando

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  • Technique
  • Stamina
  • Experience
  • Landscape
  • Difficulty
Maximum altitude 2921 M
Minimum altitude 2208 M