[2][3][4] In 1954, a statue of the Virgin Mary was erected on Mont Dolent's summit by the young people of Valais.

The first ascent of the mountain was made on 9 July 1864 by A. Reilly and Edward Whymper with guides Michel Croz, H. Charlet and M. Payot.

Whymper described the ascent in Scrambles amongst the Alps: Mont Dolent has four faces, offering good quality snow and ice climbs of various levels of difficulty.

However the only straightforward route to the summit (graded PD) is on its southern flank via the Glacier de Pre de Bar, finishing along a short and exposed stretch of the south-east ridge.

[6]: 131  The next easiest route of ascent (graded AD) is via the mountain's east ridge, starting from the similarly named Bivouac du Dolent (la Maye) hut on its Swiss side.