Le Catogne

Le Catogne is a 2,598 m summit above Sembrancher in the Swiss canton of Valais. It sits on the north-eastern edge of the Mont Blanc massif, looking down on Champex, and some sources place it in the Pennine Alps. Sembrancher, Orsières and Bovernier lie at its foot.

Where is Le Catogne?

The mountain closes off the Mont Blanc group to the north-east, rising above the valleys around Martigny. Its coordinates are roughly 46.055° N, 7.111° E. From the north it is visible from the Rhône valley, and from the south from the village of Champex-Lac, at about 1,470 m.

How do you get there?

Take the train to Orsières, then the bus up to Champex-Lac, the most convenient base. Road cyclists can also ride over the Champex pass, which tops out near 1,497 m. From Sembrancher, trails lead around the mountain via Soulalex and Chez-les-Reuses.

What is the climb to the summit like?

The ascent is a demanding mountain hike. PeakVisor grades it T3, meaning you need sure footing and good fitness. Route descriptions give the Champex variant at around 20 km with about 1,600 m of ascent, while a shorter, steeper loop from the lake covers about 12 km and 1,630 m of climbing. The full circuit via Bovernier, Plan Foyat, the summit, Champex and Orsières takes about 6.5 hours with almost 2,000 m of ascent, and suits experienced hikers only.

Is there an easier route?

Yes. Trail no. 3, the Tour du Catogne, circles the mountain through Champex-Lac, Bovernier, Sembrancher, Soulalex and Chez-les-Reuses. Altitudes stay moderate, which makes it a good spring outing while the upper slopes are still under snow. A gentler option is the loop from Champex-Lac to the Belvédère viewpoint, about 7 km with 400 m of climbing, which skips the summit entirely.

When should you go?

Aim for midsummer or early autumn if you want the summit, when the path is dry and clear of snow. The lower loops open earlier, from spring. The area also has mountain-bike routes, and the Droit du Catogne mountain race appears on the running calendar.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Le Catogne? The summit stands at 2,598 m above sea level.

Is the climb difficult? Yes. It is a T3 trail with a long ascent, so you need good fitness and proper hiking boots.

Where is the best place to start? Champex-Lac, reached by bus from Orsières. You can also start in Sembrancher or Bovernier, but the climb is longer.

Can you enjoy the area without reaching the top? Yes. The Tour du Catogne loop and the walk to the Belvédère above Champex-Lac give you views without the effort and exposure of the summit ascent.