🗺️ Overview
Starting point: Solalex, 1470 m
Highest point: Pas de Cheville, 2040 m
End point: Derborence, 1480 m
Total elevation gain: 560 m
Total distance: ~14 km round trip
Total time: ~5h one way with a 5-year-old; ~3h30–4h for a well-trained adult
Technical difficulty: T2 – Mountain hike
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The hike from Solalex to Derborence is a classic in the region. It is also part of the Muverans Tour, a 50 km hike around the Grand Muveran.It starts in Solalex, a hamlet at the end of a valley in Gryon. There are two restaurants that are well frequented. The one on the right has amazing desserts; I recommend the Coupe des Alpes. In front of you there is a circle of mountains, and that is where you are heading. There is also ample parking where you can leave your car.
The first hour of the hike climbs most of the elevation gain on a wide path that goes first through the forest and then up a grassy pasture towards Refuge Giacometti. Just 100 m before the refuge, there is a path going left, just after the bridge.
From here, there is a long pasture climbing slowly towards Pas de Cheville. There are large rocks along the way that are nice to climb for kids.
After almost 3h with a 5-year-old, or around 1h50 for an adult, you reach the pass at 2040 m. From there, there is a steep downhill section that can be a bit slippery. You then reach the pastures on the other side, at around the same altitude as the pass, with a little alp watching over them.
After this point, the trail becomes almost flat for a while. Then, at the fork to Godet, you go straight and descend again on a rather steep path towards Lac Derborence. The lake is not visible until almost the end.
The refuge is right on the lake shore, at around 1480 m, and surrounded by a circle of mountains. Half board is CHF 90.
We stayed the night with my 5-year-old, as it took us 5h to walk the 7 km to reach the refuge. The day after, we went back the same way.
As a well-trained adult, you can also go there and back on the same day.
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