A hike on Mont Valier

A simple task for some, a real challenge for others. Personally, this hike up Mont Valier was anything but easy… and that's precisely why I wanted to share my experience with you.

The starting point is at Maison du Valier. You can easily leave your car there for two days free of charge, which is really convenient when you're going on an adventure like this.

The first steps are taken deep in the forest, in an almost surreal atmosphere. Honestly, I felt like I'd stepped into Alice's Wonderland. Everything is green, peaceful, almost magical. The beginning of the trail is quite pleasant with little elevation gain, allowing you to fully appreciate the scenery.

I head towards the Nérech waterfall, passing the famous air holes. And with the current temperatures and my heavily loaded backpack, this coolness feels incredibly refreshing. It's the kind of small detail that instantly restores your energy.

I finally reach the waterfall and decide to continue a little further up to have a picnic with a bird's-eye view. What a mistake…

Once across the footbridge, the steepness of the climb becomes truly noticeable. With the heat, ascending these large stone steps quickly becomes strenuous, especially with the weight of my pack. Each climb requires extra effort, but deep down, I know I have no choice: I have to reach the refuge.

Thankfully, the scenery is there to remotivate me at every moment. The higher I climb, the more incredible the panoramas become.

It's finally time for a well-deserved break by the waterfall. At this precise moment, I understand why I'm doing all this. A picnic takes on a special flavor when it's accompanied by such a setting. I simply enjoy the present moment, this magnificent landscape, and the peace that surrounds me.

We had to get back on the trail if we didn't want to arrive at the refuge too late. The climb was becoming increasingly difficult, my legs were starting to ache badly, but there was no question of giving up. I had dreamed of doing this hike for so long, of finally reaching the summit I had been gazing at since I was a little girl.

And then, there it is… I finally see it. The Estagnous refuge.

At that moment, there were only a few meters left to go. An immense sense of satisfaction washed over me. I was proud to have made it this far and even happier to know that tomorrow, the adventure would continue all the way to the summit of Mont Valier.

What a joy to finally take off the backpack, walk barefoot for a few moments, and simply contemplate the view from the refuge. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and what's more, an excellent meal awaits us.

It was also there that I met an elderly man who came to make this climb almost every year. He told us that it had been several years since he had last done it and that this might be his last time. His story deeply moved me.

I'm enjoying the last rays of sunlight on the valley before going to sleep, because tomorrow the alarm rings at 5:00 am. And some people set it even earlier!

The big day has finally arrived. The day to climb to the summit of this giant that I have been observing for years from the valley.

The sun hasn't even risen yet. After a good breakfast to fuel up, I leave my heavy pack at the refuge to travel lighter. I need to move quickly to avoid the crowds on the trail.

The first glimmers of morning appear gently and the objective is clear: to reach the pass in time to admire the first light on the mountains.

But the climb is long… very long.

The terrain becomes increasingly mineral. Stones everywhere, sometimes unstable footing, legs that tire… but always the same idea in mind: to reach the summit.

And then, when I reached the pass, I turned my head… and I saw it. The cross.

This time, that's it. I'm almost there. Just a few more meters and I can say I've done it.

The closer I get to the cross, the less I realize what I'm accomplishing. It might seem trivial to some experienced mountaineers, but for me, it's a source of immense pride.

Once at the summit, I take the time to look around me, trying to identify the mountains that surround us. I have this strange feeling of being perched on the roof of the world.

Obviously, it was impossible to leave without a souvenir photo.

And then, who do I see arriving a few moments later? The old man I met the day before at the refuge. We both meet at the summit of Mont Valier. He shares a few anecdotes about the valley and the surrounding mountains before it's time for me to begin the descent.

Because the adventure is not over: there are still almost five hours of walking left before reaching the car.

I will never forget this climb. And I already know I will return one day. Perhaps to savor every moment more… and above all, to admire the first rays of sunlight once again from the summit of Mont Valier.