The Gilliarey Oratory
The Gilliarey Oratory
Medium
Difficulty1h30
Duration5km
Distance+585m
Positive Elevation-8m
Negative ElevationEmbed this item to access it offline
A magical place that exudes spirituality and absolute beauty surrounded by majestic surroundings, with the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa group within reach.
Description
At Étirol, walk up between the village houses and find the sign for Gilliarey, trail number 107. The trail climbs up the Petit Monde stream valley with a constantly uphill but pleasant walk. This leads to the Chancevella alpine meadow at 1,886 metres. Here, take a track that you follow for 400 metres until you find the sign for Gilliarey, which indicates a path to the right. Climb up it to the hamlet of Crêt. From here, take a well-marked track that climbs gently to the hamlet of Gilliarey. From here, it takes only a few metres to reach the spectacular promontory on which the oratory stands.
If you prefer to avoid the final track for a more direct path, simply take path no. 7 just before reaching Crêt. The path passes the Comianaz mountain pasture and continues steeply up to Gilliarey.
The panoramic view from the oratory will leave you breathless, you will feel as if you could touch the Matterhorn and the Rosa group just by stretching out a hand.
If you prefer to avoid the final track for a more direct path, simply take path no. 7 just before reaching Crêt. The path passes the Comianaz mountain pasture and continues steeply up to Gilliarey.
The panoramic view from the oratory will leave you breathless, you will feel as if you could touch the Matterhorn and the Rosa group just by stretching out a hand.
Departure : Étirol
Arrival : Gilliarey
8 points of interest
Architecture
The village of Etirol
Etirol, together with Triatel and Ronc constitutes the 'Petit - Monde', a small world of mountains, traditions and simplicity. To arrive in this small hamlet is to plunge into an ancient daily life, made up of slow gestures far removed from modernity.
Fauna
animal tracks above Etirol
Animal tracks are not the only way to ascertain the presence of nearby animals. Their excrements may also indicate their eating habits and their passage.
For example, the presence of bones and fur in these feces indicates that they probably belong to a wolf.
For example, the presence of bones and fur in these feces indicates that they probably belong to a wolf.
Small patrimony
The Gilliarey Oratory
The Gilliarey Oratory is a small, cosy white building dedicated to prayer and meditation. It stands on a sheer promontory above Antey. Here, one breathes a truly magical and spiritual atmosphere.
Panorama
Panoramic view
The Alpe Courthod Desot standing under the remains of the Alpe Courthod of Meiten.
Architecture
Alpe Comianaz
The Alpe Comianaz seen from a dirt road which continues upwards towards Gilliarey.
Architecture
Alpe Tellinod
The old and new Alpe de Tellinod, bought by the Municipality and later rebuilt.
The remains of the old alp are today the home of numerous Alpine marmots, which do not seem to mind the presence of humans too much.
Towards the end of the afternoon, this place becomes charming, with its oblique sunrays gently touching the nearby objects and casting long shadows, and its Alpine marmots seemingly enjoying the soft heat produced by the end of the day.
The remains of the old alp are today the home of numerous Alpine marmots, which do not seem to mind the presence of humans too much.
Towards the end of the afternoon, this place becomes charming, with its oblique sunrays gently touching the nearby objects and casting long shadows, and its Alpine marmots seemingly enjoying the soft heat produced by the end of the day.
Architecture
Alpe Crêt
Panorama
View on Matterhorn and Monte Rosa
A breathtaking view of the Matterhorn and a piece of the Rosa range with the Breithorn peaks waving over the Swiss border.
Altimetric profile
Access and parking
Étirol is a small hamlet of Torgnon that can be reached by car, on foot or by bike. However, it is rather short of parking spaces, so it is advisable to arrive on foot or by e-bike.
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