Grand Muveran
3,051 m
Switzerland
Also known as Muveran, გრან-მიუვერანიAlso known as
Muveran · გრან-მიუვერანი
- Elevation
- 3,051 m
- Prominence
- 1,013 m
- Difficulty
- 5/10
- Easy alpine
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: 3b (Camptocamp) · II-III (visinand.ch / search-indexed route reports (chimney)) · T4 (some route reports)
A short but serious route above the Cabane Rambert (2,582 m): up the Crête à Moret, a polished 20–30 m chimney and slabs (II–III), then a long, rising ledge traverse across the loose, exposed south face, marked with paint dots and cairns, to the summit. About 1.5 hours from the hut; 1,720 m from Ovronnaz on foot.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 6.2 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,216 m
- −104 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 3,051 m
- Time Up
- 5h 02m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 33m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Ovronnaz (about 1,330 m) take the summer chairlift to Jorasse and walk via Plan Coupel and Plan Salentse to the Cabane Rambert (2,582 m), 2 h 40 (T2); without the lift, via Saille, allow 3 h 40. The hut can also be reached from Derborence over the Col de la Forclaz, or from Pont de Nant by the Frête de Saille (T4, dangerous with snow or ice). From the hut head north up the Crête à Moret on a discontinuous trace with a few rock bands; after a few minutes the trace drops slightly to avoid a rock step (do not follow traces that continue straight on). A steep, loose slope, in the line of fire of stones dislodged from above, leads to the foot of the rocks. A paint dot marks the start of a small chimney on the left: 20–30 m of easy climbing (II–III-), polished by traffic, then slabs and rubbly benches to the start of the great ledge that slants up across the whole south face. Follow the ledge to the end: a tricky passage near the start has a chain and a memorial plaque, and the rest is never difficult but steep, rotten and continuously exposed; in places a slip could not be stopped. Look ahead for the next blue-and-white or green dot, as the trace is often faint. Below the summit the marked line zigzags right to a small, sounder spur (a newer marked detour that avoids some rockfall), then traverses up left with a few easy moves to the top. Descend the same way, taking nearly as long as the ascent.
Start
Jorasse1,939 m
- Ovronnaz–Jorasse chairlift (summer)
- Train to Riddes or Sion, PostBus to Ovronnaz; summer chairlift Ovronnaz–Jorasse.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jorasse → Cabane Rambert | 4.7 | 705 | 75 | 3h 05m |
| 2 | Cabane Rambert → Grand Muveran | 1.5 | 511 | 29 | 1h 56m |
Waypoints
- Lift: Jorasse1,939 m
- Feature: Plan Coupel2,134 m
- Feature: Plan Salentse2,345 m
not on route line
- Hut: Cabane Rambert2,572 m
- Feature: Crête à Moret2,571 m
- Summit: Grand Muveran3,051 m
Key Passages
- Steep loose slope on the Crête à Moret below the rocks
- Polished starting chimney (II–III-)
- Chained passage with memorial plaque at the start of the ledge
- Long, exposed rising ledge across the south face
- Final spur and leftward traverse to the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The westernmost 3,000 m peak of the Bernese Alps (3,051 m), a broad limestone wall on the Vaud–Valais border above Ovronnaz and the Vallon de Nant. Its normal route is a short, loose and exposed ledge traverse above the Cabane Rambert.
The Grand Muveran is the high point of the Muverans, the group between the Rhône bend and the Pas de Cheville that includes the Dent de Morcles, Dent Favre, Tête à Pierre Grept and Haut de Cry. It is the third-highest summit in the canton of Vaud after Les Diablerets and the Oldenhorn. Seen from the north it is a broad, massive wall beside the small tooth of the Petit Muveran (2,810 m); from the Valais side it dominates Ovronnaz and is visible from the Rhône plain near Riddes.
The normal route starts at the Cabane Rambert (2,582 m), a CAS hut on the Valais side reached by easy paths from Ovronnaz. Above it the south face is crossed by a long, rising ledge: technically easy (one short chimney of II–III), but the rock is rotten, the ground steep and the exposure constant, so it is a route for sure-footed, experienced mountain walkers rather than a hike. Being south-facing and modest in altitude, it dries out early.
The north side holds small glaciers and névés, climbed by a PD snow route and skied in spring, and the Arête de Saille gives a harder rock climb.
Climbing Notes
For experienced mountain walkers with a head for heights and sure footing on loose, exposed ground (T5); a rope gives little real security on the ledges, so it is usually climbed unroped or with a guide. Wear a helmet: stones are often knocked down by parties above, especially on the steep slope below the chimney. Follow the paint dots carefully, as the trace is faint across the face.
Typical itinerary: Ovronnaz to the Cabane Rambert in the afternoon (2 h 40 using the Jorasse chairlift), summit early the next morning (1 h 30) and back down to Ovronnaz. Fit parties do it in a long day from Ovronnaz (1,720 m of ascent). Avoid the route in wet weather or with snow on the ledges.
History
The name may come from 'Mont de la Vare', after the pasture at its foot, as recorded on 18th-century maps. Ferdinand Hodler painted 'Le Grand Muveran' in 1912; the painting sold for over 1.5 million Swiss francs in 2003.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Not advisable
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; hut winter room only (6 places)
- Feb
- Ski ascents of the south face for experts (AD-, 45° slopes)
- Mar
- Ski touring
- Apr
- Ski touring
- May
- Snow on the ledges
- Jun
- Hut opens mid-June (13 June in 2026); south face dries early
- Aug
- Busy at weekends; stonefall from parties above
- Sep
- Stable weather; quieter
- Oct
- Hut open until mid-October (17 October in 2026)
- Nov
- Snow and ice on the ledges
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Cabane Rambert (CAS Diablerets section; 38 places in 5 dormitories): book via the section's online reservation calendar. Winter room with 6 places, blankets and stove but no water.
- Rules
- The Pont de Nant approach to the hut via the Frête de Saille (T4) is dangerous with snow or ice
- Getting There
Ovronnaz (Valais); Les Plans-sur-Bex (Vaud)
Geneva Airport (GVA)
- PostBus to Ovronnaz, then the summer chairlift Ovronnaz–Jorasse
- By car to Ovronnaz
- Vaud side: road to Pont de Nant above Les Plans-sur-Bex
- Derborence: road from Conthey, then via the Col de la Forclaz (5 h 30 to the hut)
Hazards
- Rockfall
- Exposure
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
1- 2,582 m
Cabane RambertHutStaffed
38 beds · Staffed mid-June to mid-October (13 June – 17 October 2026); winter room with 6 places