Bivouac de l'Envers des Dorées – High-Alpine Bivouac Guide

The Bivouac de l’Envers des Dorées is a small, unguarded high-alpine shelter above the Val d’Entremont, near the Swiss–Italian–French border triangle. Discreet and rarely visited, it serves as a strategic overnight stop for experienced alpinists tackling remote glacier and mixed routes in the Mont Dolent sector.

• Bivouac Overview

  • Location: Upper Val d’Entremont, Canton of Valais, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,983 m

  • Type: Unguarded high-alpine bivouac

  • Capacity: Approx. 6–8 sleeping places

  • Season: Short summer alpine season (strictly condition-dependent)

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (CAS)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is long and committing, suitable only for autonomous alpine parties.

  • Typical access: From the Val d’Entremont via glacier approaches

  • Ascent time: ~5–7 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~1,200–1,500 m

  • Terrain: Moraines, glacier travel, exposed snow and rock

  • Difficulty: Alpine (T5 / PD–AD depending on conditions)

  • Requirements: Glacier travel skills, rope management, strong navigation

  Retreat options are limited once committed to the upper basins.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are extremely basic and intended for planned bivouac or emergency use only.

  • Enclosed shelter

  • Simple sleeping platforms or benches

  • No guaranteed blankets

  • No food service

  • No running water

  • No electricity or heating

  All supplies must be carried in and out.

• Food & Atmosphere

  No catering. Nights are cold and often windy even in midsummer. The atmosphere is quiet and technical, typically shared by small rope teams preparing early starts.

• Prices & Booking

  • Overnight stay: Free

  • Booking: Not required

  • Policy: First-come, first-served

  Users are expected to leave the bivouac clean and operational.

• Best Routes From the Bivouac

  • Routes toward Mont Dolent (3,823 m)

  • High-alpine traverses within the Envers des Dorées basin

  • Remote glacier objectives linking Switzerland and Italy

  All objectives require full alpine and glacier equipment.

• When to Go

  Best period: July to early September

  • Conditions: Cold nights, rapid weather changes

  • Main risks: Crevasses, rockfall, fog, sudden storms

  A stable weather window is essential.

• Who Is This Bivouac For

  • Experienced mountaineers only

  • Highly skilled alpine hikers with glacier experience

  • Alpinists seeking solitude and commitment

  • Not suitable for beginners or non-technical hikers

• Practical Tips

  • Carry full alpine and bivouac equipment

  • Bring sufficient water or means to melt snow

  • Plan conservative timings and early starts

  • Inform a third party of your itinerary

  • Apply strict Leave No Trace principles

Why This Bivouac Is Worth Visiting

At 2,983 m, the Bivouac de l’Envers des Dorées offers a rare foothold in a quiet, high-glacier environment at the crossroads of three countries. Spartan and note-worthy for its isolation, it rewards well-prepared alpinists with commitment, silence, and direct access to demanding alpine terrain.