Grande Dixence – A High-Alpine Adventure for Families

 

Overview

• Starting point: Grande Dixence Dam (2,350m, after taking the lift)
• Arrival: Col de Roux (2,780m) – then descent to Cabane de Prafleuri and return
• Altitude gain: ~430m (+100 on the return)
• Duration: ~3-4 hours round trip
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best season: Late summer (to avoid snow)
• Family-friendly: Yes, but best for fit hiker-parents, especially if carrying a child
• Key highlights: The massive Grande Dixence Dam, a flat lakeside section, moonlike landscapes, and a mountain hut stop

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The Grande Dixence Dam is truly “Grande”—one of the largest gravity dams in the Alps. Visiting the dam alone is already an experience, and for thrill-seekers, there’s even a zipline that flies across its front! But our goal was a hike along the lake, taking in the high-alpine scenery.

A Challenging but Rewarding Family Hike

This hike is doable with a baby in a backpack (as we did), but keep in mind that you’ll reach 2,780m at the highest point and there’s a good amount of elevation gain. If you’re carrying a child, make sure to:

✅ Do it at the end of summer to avoid snow.

✅ Be well-trained with plenty of hikes beforehand.

For those hiking without kids, the route is still moderate but very manageable.

Starting at the Dam

You can park at the bottom of the dam and take the lift up to 2,350m. Hiking up instead is possible, but the trail after the dam is longer and more scenic, so I recommend saving your energy for that.

Once at the top, take a moment to walk across the dam—it’s worth it. The contrast between the steep drop on one side and the calm lake on the other is striking.

Lakeside Beauty – The Flat and Scenic Start

The first part of the hike is actually the most beautiful and completely flat. For the first couple of kilometers, you follow the right-hand shore of the lake, walking through tunnels and galleries that make for incredible photos.

If you’re looking for an easy, scenic hike, you can stop at the Refuge de la Barmaz and turn back. But we wanted more!

Climbing Towards Col de Roux (2,780m)

Just before Refuge de la Barmaz, we took the trail branching off to the right, which begins climbing up the slope.

The ascent starts through grassy pastures but becomes rockier as you gain elevation. There’s a section with large boulders, perfect for some dramatic photos. After about an hour of climbing (a bit longer with Gaia in the backpack!), we reached Col de Roux at 2,780m.

At the Col, the landscape changes dramatically—a barren, moonlike terrain of loose rock. It feels like another planet!

I was a bit tired. And Gaia too apparently... since she was sleeping when we arrived!

Descending to Cabane de Prafleuri

From the Col de Roux, the trail descends into the valley on the other side. Here, the Cabane de Prafleuri awaits with a warm drink and a chance to rest.

After a short break, we continued downhill along the stream. Soon, grassy meadows reappear, and the path winds through beautiful alpine pastures.

The Return to the Dam – Two Options

At 2,350m, the trail splits:

1. The main route (right): Immediately climbs back up 100m, following the edge of a hill.
2. Alternative route (left): Also brings you back but with a slightly different approach.

We took the main path. At 2,450m, you curve around the hill—and suddenly, the Grande Dixence Dam appears again. The perspective here is incredible, especially with the small church standing in front of it, making the dam look even more massive.

From this viewpoint, it’s a 15-minute descent to the dam and another 20 minutes down to the bottom if you skip the lift.

Final Thoughts – A Great Intro to High Alpine Hiking

If you want to experience high mountains with your kids, this is a perfect place to start. It has:

✔️ No major technical difficulties

✔️ Breathtaking views

✔️ A mix of easy and more challenging sections

At 2,800m, it’s not just a casual stroll, but it’s an accessible adventure in the high Alps.