Arolla - Cabane des Dix – Thyon Hike: Two-day Excursion: Top Highlights & 11 Essential Tips (August Edition)
DETAILS*
Hike up (Saturday) | Arolla – Cabane des Dix
Duration: 4h 28min including all breaks
Difficulty:
Distance: 9.8 km point-to-point
Ascent: 1234 m
Descent: 321 m
The highest point: 2955 m above sea level
Hike down (Sunday) | Cabane des Dix - Thyon
Duration: 7h 16min including all breaks
Difficulty:
Distance: 25.8 km point-to-point
Ascent: 560 m
Descent: 1331 m
The highest point: 2955 m above sea level – starting point
OUR EXPERIENCE:
Starting point (Saturday):
We took bus 381 from Les Haudères, Molignon to Arolla, poste (37 minutes; on Saturdays it runs once every two hours).
TIP #1: We stayed overnight at Camping Molignon to enjoy a nice one-day excursion the following day. Due to the weather (snow in the mountains and rain in the valley), we couldn’t start the hike earlier. However, the hike from Arolla is relatively short (about 4 hours), so you can easily add a small detour to Glacier de Piece or even begin your hike before Arolla.
End point (Sunday):
We took the gondola (télécabine) down from Thyon 2000 to Veysonnaz (8 minutes; last descent at 16:30). From there, we took bus 364 from Veysonnaz, station to Sion, gare (44 minutes; note that on Sundays it only runs once every two hours).
TIP #2: Be careful! Although the SBB app shows the connection via gondola, the gondola fare is not included in your ticket (the purchased ticket only covers Veysonnaz to your destination). Make sure to budget an extra CHF 15 per person for the descent. No half-fare or GA discount applies.
TIP #3: From the gondola station, it’s a 1–2 minute walk to the bus stop. Don’t wait at the gondola station, head directly to the bus stop.
Itinerary:
We hiked up to Cabane Des Dix (2955 m above sea level):
First, we took a bus to Arolla. You could also hike from Molignon to Arolla, but that adds more than 10 km and 3–4 extra hours of walking. Once you arrive at the bus stop in Arolla, you will notice there are actually more hiking signposts than those shown on the SchweizMobil map. It is really interesting to see the additional options—definitely something to keep in mind for future trips. Below you can find a photo of the routes accessible directly from the Arolla bus station.
TIP #4: This area is full of hiking trails, worth considering if you plan to visit Valais!
The hike is a continuous climb, but a very interesting one. It starts in the forest, then opens into meadows, and later turns into rocky terrain.
For us, the weather wasn’t pleasant, but we still enjoyed being outdoors in such an atmosphere. First, make sure to bring rain covers; second, pack enough warm layers. Hiking through the clouds was a unique experience, but I can’t say much about the views or the detour to Glacier de Pièce (which is possible on the way to Cabane des Dix). I had planned to do it, but in those conditions it made no sense.
TIP #5: There are very few spots to refill your water bottle. In fact, even in summertime there is only one big creek halfway through the hike, and then nothing until you reach the glacier near Cabane des Dix.
The last steep section crosses rocky terrain and ends with an incredible view. At the rocky pass, Col de Riedmatten, you look ahead and see Cabane des Dix with the magnificent Glacier de Cheilon stretching between you and the hut. It is a perfect spot and moment (after the last ascent) to pause for a moment and soak in the view.
From here, Cabane des Dix looks far away. If you do not have climbing gear nor experience, you will need to hike around the glacier - as we did. We crossed the pass with three climbers who went directly over the glacier; we met them again at the hut, so in terms of timing both options are about the same.
This part of the hike is the most beautiful.
The trail winds across large rocks, and at one point you also catch sight of Lac des Dix.
It is a spectacular view! The path then descends slightly before one last ascent up to the cabane. All the way, you see Glacier de Cheilon and its sweeping tongue of ice, it is a breathtaking sight.
Cabane des Dix is rather small but very cozy. Dinner is served at 18:30, usually a three-course menu. Afterwards, you can stay in the dining area as long as you like; there are a few musical instruments and books available.
TIP #6: There is no shower inside the cabane. There is one outside, but with ice-cold glacier water. So if, like us, you arrive in snowy weather, you probably won’t use it.
TIP #7: Most guests at Cabane des Dix are hiking the Chamonix–Zermatt route. Chatting with them is a great way to learn about other trails and hiking areas.
The next day we were the only ones hiking down to Thyon. Most people headed towards Arolla, some towards Cabane de Prafleuri, but continuing down to Thyon was just us. The hike is easy, mostly flat or downhill, but rather long.
TIP #8: Normally there is a bus from the Grande Dixence dam, but due to roadworks it wasn’t running. That meant the nearest “civilization” was either Mayens des Plans or Thyon. We chose Thyon for better connections to Basel.
The section from Cabane des Dix to Lac des Dix was my favorite part of the return. The lake is huge, and the views are stunning.
Walking along it wasn’t my favorite (long, flat, and easy), but Piotr enjoyed it the most. After reaching the Grande Dixence dam, we stopped briefly to read about it. It’s truly impressive, and worth learning some facts while you’re there.
After the break, we continued towards Thyon on a pleasant, mostly flat traverse.
TIP #9: There are no places to refill water on this section. The hike is long, so don’t underestimate it.
In Thyon, there is a cable car that runs continuously down to the valley, but you will need to buy a separate ticket for it.
Our drinks:
We had coffee at the campsite in the morning, and later at Cabane des Dix we brewed Basler Drip Coffee, both in the afternoon and again for breakfast on Sunday.
TIP #10: On the hike from Arolla to Cabane des Dix, there is only one place to refill bottles, plus the glacier stream just before the hut. On the way back, there are no creeks to refill at all. We carried a total of 3.2 L (4 × 0.8 L bottles) both ways.
What we packed:
Since we stayed overnight at Cabane des Dix, we didn’t need to bring a full supply of food. We only packed sleeping bag liners, which are required for overnight stays in any Swiss hut.
Clothes: We took fresh change of clothes and a long-sleeve for the evening, pajamas, extra warm&dry socks, fast-drying towel, rain jackets (Haglöfs) (which we ended up using), warm goose down layers: vest and jacket (Pajak). Given the forecast of rain and snow, these waterproof and insulating layers were essential.
TIP #11: In Swiss huts you must have a sleeping bag liner for the night. You can usually rent one for CHF 5 if you don’t bring your own. What you don’t need are flip-flops—every hut is equipped with Crocs, which you are required to wear inside to keep the hut clean and cozy.
Specific seasonal conditions:
Although it was midsummer, the weather was rainy and snowy higher up. No crampons were needed, but warm and waterproof layers were absolutely essential.
Highlights:
The view from Col de Riedmatten is absolutely stunning! The glacier looks incredible both in cloudy and sunny conditions.
The view of Lac des Dix on the way to and from Cabane des Dix: the turquoise color of the glacier-fed water and the sheer length of the lake are spectacular.
Marmots! The area around the lake is full of them, and you can easily spot them sunbathing on rocks.
The Grande Dixence dam, an impressive feat of engineering, and definitely worth stopping to learn more about it.
Let's sum up our TIPs:
TIP #1: We stayed overnight at Camping Molignon to enjoy a nice one-day excursion the following day. Due to the weather (snow in the mountains and rain in the valley), we couldn’t start the hike earlier. However, the hike from Arolla is relatively short (about 4 hours), so you can easily add a small detour to Glacier de Piece or even begin your hike before Arolla.
TIP #2: Be careful! Although the SBB app shows the connection via gondola, the gondola fare is not included in your ticket (the purchased ticket only covers Veysonnaz to your destination). Make sure to budget an extra CHF 15 per person for the descent. No half-fare or GA discount applies.
TIP #3: From the gondola station, it’s a 1–2 minute walk to the bus stop. Don’t wait at the gondola station, head directly to the bus stop.
TIP #4: This area is full of hiking trails, worth considering if you plan to visit Valais!
TIP #5: There are very few spots to refill your water bottle. In fact, even in summertime there is only one big creek halfway through the hike, and then nothing until you reach the glacier near Cabane des Dix.
TIP #6: There is no shower inside the cabane. There is one outside, but with ice-cold glacier water. So if, like us, you arrive in snowy weather, you probably won’t use it.
TIP #7: Most guests at Cabane des Dix are hiking the Chamonix–Zermatt route. Chatting with them is a great way to learn about other trails and hiking areas.
TIP #8: Normally there is a bus from the Grande Dixence dam, but due to roadworks it wasn’t running. That meant the nearest “civilization” was either Mayens des Plans or Thyon. We chose Thyon for better connections to Basel.
TIP #9: There are no places to refill water on this section. The hike is long, so don’t underestimate it.
TIP #10: On the hike from Arolla to Cabane des Dix, there is only one place to refill bottles, plus the glacier stream just before the hut. On the way back, there are no creeks to refill at all. We carried a total of 3.2 L (4 × 0.8 L bottles) both ways.
TIP #11: In Swiss huts you must have a sleeping bag liner for the night. You can usually rent one for CHF 5 if you don’t bring your own. What you don’t need are flip-flops—every hut is equipped with Crocs, which you are required to wear inside to keep the hut clean and cozy.
*supported by Garmin and SchweizMobil