Refuge des Dents du Midi – Alpine Refuge & Dents du Midi Circuit Base

The Refuge des Dents du Midi is a well-known alpine refuge located on the eastern flank of the Dents du Midi massif, above the Val d’Illiez. It plays a central role in hiking and trekking itineraries around this iconic limestone chain and serves as a key overnight stop on the Tour des Dents du Midi. The refuge is valued for its panoramic setting, accessibility, and strong regional character rather than for technical mountaineering.

• Refuge Overview

  • Location: Dents du Midi massif / Val d’Illiez, Canton of Valais, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,884 m

  • Type: Mountain refuge (seasonally served)

  • Capacity: Approx. 40–45 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually June to October (weather-dependent)

  • Management: Local / regional association

• Access & Approaches

  Access is via marked alpine hiking trails and is suitable for experienced hikers.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Champéry or Val d’Illiez (route-dependent)

  • Hiking time: ~3–4.5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~900–1,100 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, limestone slopes, grassy ledges

  • Difficulty: T3

  Some sections are exposed and require sure-footedness.

• Facilities & Comfort

  The refuge offers solid comfort for multi-day hiking itineraries.

  • Dormitory sleeping with mattresses and blankets

  • Meals during the guarded season

  • Drinking water available

  • Basic toilets

  • Limited electricity

  Comfort is functional and well adapted to trekking use.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is warm and regional.

  • Traditional Valais cuisine

  • Mix of tour hikers and day visitors

  • Evenings often social, especially in summer

  The refuge is a natural meeting point for those circling the massif.

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Moderate

  • Booking: Recommended during peak summer months

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Refuge

  The Refuge des Dents du Midi is ideally positioned for:

  • Tour des Dents du Midi (multi-day circuit)

  • Day hikes on the limestone ridges and balconies

  • Connections to neighboring refuges and passes

  • Wildlife observation and photography routes

  Routes are hiking-focused and non-glaciated.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Conditions: Limestone terrain becomes slippery when wet

  • Main risks: Fog, thunderstorms, exposed traverses

• Who Is This Refuge For

  • Experienced hikers

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Landscape photographers

  • Visitors seeking a classic Valais limestone massif

  • Not intended for glacier travel or technical climbing

Why This Refuge Is Worth Visiting

At 2,100 m, the Refuge des Dents du Midi offers one of the most immersive ways to experience this dramatic massif. Its role in the Tour des Dents du Midi and its panoramic position above the Chablais valleys make it a cornerstone of alpine trekking in western Valais—rewarding, scenic, and deeply regional.