Via Alpina Stage 79: Vernayaz - Trient
HARD (3.3/10)Circular route from La Féronde du Loup
A demanding mountain route — the Via Alpina Stage 79: Vernayaz - Trient packs 21.5 km and 1,139 m of climbing into a 7h 07min day. Starting and finishing near La Féronde du Loup, the loop route stays between 455 m and 1,301 m elevation. The 53 m/km climb ratio means sustained effort on the ascents.
The route breaks into 4 segments. The toughest stretch is the 3.1 km from Tête des Crêtes to Roc Blanc, climbing 348 m — an unrelenting 112 m/km grade.
With 85% of the route below 15% gradient, strong trail runners can maintain a good rhythm for much of the distance. Some pitches hit 60% gradient, so trekking poles are strongly recommended.
Budget roughly 4,128 kcal of energy expenditure and 4.3 L of water. Aim for 60–90 g of carbs per hour to avoid bonking on the longer climbs. No confirmed water sources along the route — carry all the water you need.
Lower altitude route. Accessible most of the year. May be muddy in spring and after rain.
Elevation Profile
Route Map
Trail Splits
Waypoint-to-waypoint breakdown with estimated hiking times (Naismith's Rule).
| Segment | Dist | ↑ Ascent | ↓ Descent | Time | Cum. km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 📍 La Féronde du Loup → Tête des Crêtes | 0.0 km | +0m | -0m | 0 min | 0.0 |
| ⛰️ Tête des Crêtes → Roc Blanc | 3.1 km | +348m | -100m | 1h 17m | 3.1 |
| ⛰️ Roc Blanc → Le Temelet | 1.7 km | +184m | -7m | 38 min | 4.8 |
| ⛰️ Le Temelet → Le Buitoux | 16.6 km | +607m | -1017m | 5h 11m | 21.4 |
| Total | 21.5 km | +1,139m | -1,123m | 7h 07m | 21.5 |
Terrain Analysis
Nutrition & Hydration
Estimates based on metabolic equivalent (MET) for hiking with significant elevation gain. Actual needs vary by body weight, fitness, weather, and pack weight.
Pace Estimates
Based on Naismith's Rule adjusted for distance, elevation, and technical difficulty. Click a pace to update split times above.
Current Conditions
Best Season
Lower altitude route. Accessible most of the year. May be muddy in spring and after rain.
Logistics
💧 Water Advisory
No confirmed water sources along this 21 km route. Carry all water needed — plan for 4.3 L minimum.
Nearby Points of Interest
📍 Nearby Places
- Planajeur 13m
- Gorges du Trient 29m
- Le Revix 363m
- Les Cuisons 487m
- Les Grands Drets 495m
Route Details
- Network
- International Trail Network
- Sport
- hiking
- Start
- La Féronde du Loup
- End
- Le Buitoux
- Operator
- via-alpina.org
- Start Coordinates
- 46.13197, 7.04215
- OpenStreetMap
- View on OSM →
- Official Website
- Visit →
Similar Trails
Plan this route
This hard route demands careful planning. Use the TrailSplits planner to set custom waypoints, get turn-by-turn navigation, and export to your GPS.