A stunning hike in the pre-Alps of Fribourg offering a 360° view spanning from Lake Geneva to the Glacier 3000. This tour on the highest mountain of the canton of Fribourg resembles an ibex’s playground requiring as much effort as technique on steep and rocky terrain.
Level: T4 (alpine hike)
Elevation gain: 1110 m
Distance: 10 km
Time required: 5 hours round trip
Public transport: no
Infrastructure: ropes and many ladders!
Equipment: good shoes and warm clothes (it can get quite windy at the top!)
Depart from: parking les Baudes
The gems: ibex spotting and beer at the hut
From the parking at Les Baudes, follow the gravel path to La Coudré where the path takes a sharp left up a grassy hill. From there, the trail goes through a forest up to a cosy mountain hut. Follow the path around the hut to the intersection at Bounavaletta. Either way up the mountain is good, I personnally took a right. The path gets quite steep here, just keep walking until the ridge. Then the fun begins. The path gets quite narrow following the ridgeline and continues straight up until the summit. Some chains are in place to help get through some steeper sections over rocks.
Some technical sections to watch out for:
- Quite exposed crossing of the south-east face of Vanil Noir
- Very aerial passage of the Pas de la Borière
- Stony and slippery descent on the Bounavalette pass
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After having gained some energy and admired the breathtaking view, head back down following the other ridge to the Pas de la Borière. Be on the lookout for ibex and the marked stones as the path is not as clear. After a descent down a ladder, the path continues smoothly on dirt. Be careful not to miss the turn off to the left to Col de Bounavaletta where the descent is a bit slippery. And then regain the hut and your car following the same path as on the way up.
Quick tip: bring your fondue, bread and wine for a well-deserved dinner on the way back. The hut keeper happily lends a pot in exchange for a beer. Enjoy!
- Views 90%
- Challenge 100%
- Ibex spotting 80%
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