Cabane Rambert

 

🗺️ Overview

• Start: Jorasse Restaurant, Ovronnaz

• End: Cabane Rambert (2580m)

• Distance: Approx. 9 km (depending on return route)

• Elevation gain: ~700 m

• Time: ~3 hours up (4h if starting from the bottom), 2.5 hours down

• Options: Extend hike to Grand Muveran summit (unmarked trail), different return paths available

Download GPS file

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This hike starts at the Jorasse Restaurant in Ovronnaz. It shares the same starting point as the hike to the Dent de Morcles (see blog post). You can also start walking from the valley bottom, but taking the lift saves some elevation while slightly increasing the distance. In the end, you don’t save much time either way.

From the lift station, head right. The first part of the hike is mostly flattish, with gentle ups and downs along the flank of the mountain. You cross open pastures, a forest, and finally walk over giant rock slabs. Above you, you’ll already spot the Grand Muveran, the highest peak in this group.

This first section remains almost flat. After about 40 minutes, you’ll reach a signpost at roughly the same altitude as your starting point. Here, the path coming from the valley floor joins in—this route is about 1 km longer and adds around 500 meters of elevation. If you start from the bottom, expect to take about 40 minutes longer.

From this junction, the trail becomes steeper as you begin climbing a rocky slope. The easy ups and downs of the beginning give way to a sustained incline. After a while, you’ll reach a small valley with a snowmelt river and the Grand Muveran standing impressively ahead. I found this section particularly charming, with the flat valley floor providing a nice break before the next climb.

At the end of the valley, the river had spilled onto the path, so I had to walk around it. From there, the trail becomes steeper and rockier again. It eventually turns right behind the ridge. In this final section before the hut, you’ll hike along a slope covered with loose gravel—watch your footing! The hut remains hidden until you reach a small col at around 2,500 meters, where there’s another signpost. From here, you’ll finally spot Cabane Rambert sitting surprisingly on a grassy hill—an unexpected change after all the rock!

In just 10 more minutes, you’ll reach the hut and can reward yourself with cake (highly recommended).

From the Cabane, you can continue to the Grand Muveran summit. The trail is unmarked but reportedly doable without special equipment. I had initially planned to go up, but I was too tired, so I stopped for a cappuccino instead. If I return another time, I’ll definitely add the summit hike to this post!

Descent Options:

• Same way back: You can retrace your steps.

• Direct path: Instead of returning to the lift, you can descend directly toward Ovronnaz village from the junction below the hut.

• Longer loop: Alternatively, from the little col just before the hut, turn left and follow a longer trail that brings you down a bit further from the village.