After tackling one of the most difficult sections of Haute Route we stayed at Arolla for a valley hike next day. We chose Les Hauderes valley since we had already seen Arolla from far. Being remote area, the bus service is not very regular, and the first bus to leave Arolla is at 8:30am, and then to Fereche at 9:30, which means we can start hike only at 10:00am. This was somewhat disappointing given that we had stayed overnight hoping we can start early.
Fereche looked like quite a remote place, even the road to get there was narrow single lane road. The start is on a tar road till you reach a parking lot where people with cars start. The first part of hike is among trees, gentle climb. You already start seeing some glaciers and the glacier delta below. Then there is a fork, one that leads to glacier and other than climbs up to Bricola. The trail is steeper now, but still wide and easy terrine. It stays that way all the way to hut. Once out of the trees, both glaciers are visible in their full might (or we think). There are good places to take pictures.
After short 2hr since start we reach the wonderful Bricola. The views are breathtaking! This has been the best of view so far. The end of valley is full of glaciers, just amazing. I was surprised at how easy the hike was to get here. We climbed a bit more and wished we had time to go further to next hut or just camp there. This would have made a perfect camping spot. After spending about 30min and a small lunch we ran back in order to catch 15:30 bus back to Sion. Once down to the parking lot, the scene was very different. The are was full of local people just hanging out, cars everywhere. No remoteness. This also make it easier for us to get a ride back to Les Hauderes well in time to catch the bus for return journey home.
Fereche looked like quite a remote place, even the road to get there was narrow single lane road. The start is on a tar road till you reach a parking lot where people with cars start. The first part of hike is among trees, gentle climb. You already start seeing some glaciers and the glacier delta below. Then there is a fork, one that leads to glacier and other than climbs up to Bricola. The trail is steeper now, but still wide and easy terrine. It stays that way all the way to hut. Once out of the trees, both glaciers are visible in their full might (or we think). There are good places to take pictures.
After short 2hr since start we reach the wonderful Bricola. The views are breathtaking! This has been the best of view so far. The end of valley is full of glaciers, just amazing. I was surprised at how easy the hike was to get here. We climbed a bit more and wished we had time to go further to next hut or just camp there. This would have made a perfect camping spot. After spending about 30min and a small lunch we ran back in order to catch 15:30 bus back to Sion. Once down to the parking lot, the scene was very different. The are was full of local people just hanging out, cars everywhere. No remoteness. This also make it easier for us to get a ride back to Les Hauderes well in time to catch the bus for return journey home.
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