The Catogne is like a sentinel in the Rhone Valley, overlooking the lake of Geneva. It can be seen while driving on the motorway and its silhouette looks like a volcano.
It is climbed frequently because it is easy and it is a great panoramic viewpoint off the Rhone valley and the lake of Geneva.

When the west and south flanks are steep, the east one is used as high pastures. The final part is scree.

There are two main routes:

SW ridge from the lake of Champex: F/L (passages of II, good rock), 5 hours,

E, from Sembrancher: this is pure walking, but the height is important (2015 m), 7 hours.

These two routes can be combined within a traverse.

Getting There

By car from Geneva: take the motorway, direction Brig/Simplon, until Martigny. Then follow the indications to reach Champex or Sembrancher, depending on the face you want to climb.
There are a train between Sembrancher, Orsieres and Martigny, and a bus between Orsieres and the lake of Champex (Champex Lac).

Also see:
Valais Tourism: access & transport
Mont-Blanc Express & St-Bernard Express railway lines
Office du tourisme du pays de St-Bernard

Map:
Carte nationale de la Suisse, 1:25000, #1325, Sembrancher

Red Tape

No fees, no permits.

When To Climb

All the year (ski mountaineering in winter).

Mountain Conditions

Quand le catogne a mis son chapeau, il va bientôt pleuvoir.
When the Catogne put its hat on, it is soon going to rain.
(Popular saying)

MeteoSuisse
Valais Tourism: weather
Meteo Chamonix

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