From La Fouly to the Cabane de l’A Neuve: Hike to a Vantage Point High Above the Val Ferret

Hike start in tranquil La Fouly

It is just before 8 a.m. when the six of us set off from the village center of La Fouly, the last village in the Val Ferret. Part of our hiking group had already walked the Alpine Passes Trail from Champex-Lac to La Fouly the day before and had thus already “warmed up” in a way. The others only arrived the evening before to enable the early start – and thus also the real goal of this tour: a fine lunch at over 2,700 meters above sea level.

Over rocks and roots to the Cabane de l’A Neuve

But first we have to earn it. We follow the signpost past the campsite and shortly afterward enter a small stand of trees. After just under 20 minutes we reach the turnoff toward Darbé. For us, however, the route continues straight ahead. One path, one goal: in three hours we want to reach the Cabane de l’A Neuve.

The well-marked and maintained mountain trail initially winds through numerous switchbacks in a forest that has formed in the sheltered area between the two wild streams Reuse de l’A Neuve and Reuse de l’Amône. We make good progress and watch the imposing high-alpine panorama draw closer with every meter of elevation. After around 1.5 hours we reach the exposed, airy bridge that takes us to the opposite side of the Reuse de l’A Neuve. After this short interlude the path continues steeply uphill.

The terrain is, up to almost 2,500 meters above sea level, mostly grassy and not high-alpine in the classic sense – apart from the panorama all around, which is impressive and seems within arm’s reach. Only in the last 200 meters of elevation does stony, scree-covered terrain dominate.

Hut break with a view

The Cabane de l’A Neuve is one of a total of four staffed SAC huts in the Swiss part of the Mont Blanc massif that allow you to get very close to the impressive glacier landscapes. The hut was built in 1927 on an exposed rock ledge and has largely preserved its original character and historic appearance to this day. It blends almost seamlessly into the mountain landscape and is well concealed – if you don’t know where it is, you will have a hard time spotting it.

Shortly before the hut we still encounter a snowfield and a short, exposed rock passage that require some concentration and surefootedness. Once at the top, the spectacular view of the high-alpine panorama makes the strenuous ascent worthwhile. The good hut cuisine and the fantastic location are part of the reason we are not the only ones arriving here around midday looking forward to a bite to eat. In addition to cheese toasts, rösti and soups, the Cabane de l’A Neuve is also known for its homemade tomato fondue – just the one we are enjoying now.

And back into the Val Ferret

We haven’t quite finished for the day yet. After the well-deserved break we descend back to La Fouly via the same path. The descent should not be underestimated, after all we’ve already done a more-than three-hour ascent and have over 1’000 meters of elevation in our legs.

Overall, it works in our favor that the mountain hiking trail, with the exception of the uppermost section and a few shorter stretches, is pleasant to walk for long distances and not overly steep. The high-alpine panorama with the striking Mont Grépillon, Mont Dolent and Tour Noir also remains a faithful companion on the descent and often gives a good reason to pause briefly and take in the view.

At around 4:00 PM we’re back in La Fouly — just in time to toast the successful hut hike with a wonderfully cool Suurem Moscht before the next bus to Orsières departs.

Key facts of the hike La Fouy – Cabane de l’A Neuve return

The following hiking map shows the route of the hike from La Fouly to the Cabane de l’A Neuve and back. The route is signposted as a yellow-marked hiking trail (T2) up to waypoint 1659 (location of the signpost that indicates an ascent time of three hours to the SAC hut). After that it follows a white-red-white marked alpine trail (T2/T3). The path is for the most part well marked.

Shortly before the suspension bridge an older path branches off, which is still shown on SchweizMobil as the official route of the hike. In addition, there is a newer path that initially leads toward the weather station. I recommend taking the newer path.

Shortly before the hut there are again two variants: one leads fairly exposed over the rocky spur directly to the hut and requires a bit of scrambling. The other, as marked on SchweizMobil, goes through scree terrain and continues a little further uphill, approaching the hut from the rear. It is somewhat less demanding technically. For this final final ascent, however, sure-footedness and a head for heights are required on both variants.

I recommend taking hiking poles for the descent.