Le Chasseron Gorges de Covatannaz

 

🗺️ Overview

• Start Point: Vuitebeuf (600m), parking available

• End Point: Circular route returning to Vuitebeuf

• Highest Point: Le Chasseron, 1607m

• Total Distance: 18 km

• Elevation Gain: 1050 m

• Duration: Approximately 4h30 total (2h30 ascent, 2h descent)

• Highlights: Les Gorges de Covatannaz, panoramic summit at Le Chasseron, Chalet Les Avettes, historical path Via Francigena

• Options:

• Short hike: Only the gorges, ending in St-Croix with train return

• Shortest hike: From the highest parking to the summit (50 min roundtrip)

• Alternative route via Col des Etroits and "Saut de l'Eau" waterfall

Download GPS file

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Starting Point and Gorge Section

The hike begins in Vuitebeuf (600m), at a convenient parking lot located 50 meters before the bridge marking the entrance to "Les Gorges de Covatannaz."  This section of the hike can also be done idepenently of the rest ending in St-Croix.

From here, follow the yellow and white signs as the trail initially narrows, before widening onto a gravel road. After a while pay close attention for a set of stairs on the left that leads off the gravel road into the forest.

The path soon takes you around a prominent cliff into the narrower section of the gorge, highlighted by a metal bridge crossing the river. This is the part of the hike that gives the Gorge its "gorge" name.

After this scenic segment, the trail widens again, following along the riverbank. By now, you will have covered roughly 2 km, climbed about 280m, and spent around 45 minutes hiking.

Towards St-Croix

At the exit of the gorge, you'll arrive at a small hydroelectric installation and an asphalt road. Here, signs point right, directly up to Le Chasseron, but for a more varied route you can also continue toward St-Croix. Upon reaching the outskirts of St-Croix, cross the main road and start ascending a smaller road near some houses. After climbing through successive parallel roads and enjoying charming views of St-Croix—especially delightful with Sunday church bells—you'll re-enter the forest.

Chalet Les Avettes

Continue toward "Les Avettes," following clear signs along a wide forest path. The scenery gradually opens, and after about 2 hours total from Vuitebeuf (approximately 40 minutes from re-entering the forest), you'll arrive at Chalet Les Avettes. This cozy chalet is known for delicious fondue and cakes and is typically open in summer and winter, excluding transitional months (April-May, October-November).

Summit of Le Chasseron

Leaving Les Avettes, the trail ascends gently to a grassy ridge that eventually narrows into a cliffside path. You'll approach the summit area after descending briefly and climbing again.

At Le Chasseron (1607m), enjoy panoramic views of the Alps, a mountain identification map, and refreshments at Hotel du Chasseron.

Descent Options

Several paths offer descent options:

• Retracing your steps back along the ridge.

• Taking the grassy slope down to the highest parking (30 minutes below the summit), then onward toward Les Rasses.

• The most direct: descending directly to the village of Bullet via a clearly marked trail through fields and forest.

For this time I chose the latter. After a part in the forest you arrive in Bullet and pass near the church. Then descend toward the cemetery, and continue downhill.

After Bullet, choose between the historical Via Francigena (approximately 30 minutes longer) or a shorter, direct route back to Vuitebeuf. Both paths re-enter the forest before eventually descending parallel to the main road, crossing it once, and finally returning to the starting point.