Chamoson walks

The hike described below covers the first of two days of the Tour des Muverans. It connects the resort of Ovronnaz (chairlift car park) with the Lac de Derborence mountain hut, crossing the Col de la Forcle (2,543 m), the highest point of the route.

An autumn walk through the lands of Farinet, the Robin Hood of Valais, a beautiful climb through the vineyards to a spectacular footbridge that crosses the Salentze valley at a height of over 130 metres. There are no particular difficulties, but the footbridge is strongly discouraged for people who are prone to vertigo. The thermal baths of Saillon, 500 m from the finish, offer a great way to relax at the end of the day.

The path winds through mountain pastures at the foot of the Diablerets on the border between the cantons of Vaud and Valais, circling the Grand Muveran (3,051 m) and crossing the pass linking it to the Petit Muveran (2,811 m). The panoramic views it offers of the great Alpine peaks (Grand Combin, Dents du Midi, Mont Blanc, etc.) are magnificent.

Two bisses are on the agenda for this third day. Very quickly in Nendaz, you will reach the "Bisse Vieux" against the current, then after Planchouet, you will stroll along the magnificent "Grand Bisse de Vex". Opposite, the Rhône valley is often visible, and you will clearly see the Derborance and Sanetsch valleys, Mont Gond, the Wildhorn and its glacier.

The elevation profile says it all about this day. Most of the route runs along the Grand Bisse de Saxon. This section has been beautifully restored. In Taillay, you will discover a water wheel and a hammer powered by the stream. This ingenious invention was an alarm signal. The sound of the hammer could be heard 2 km away. The absence of sound alerted the bisse guard. You will recognise the Muverans massif on the other side of the Rhône valley.

The Nendaz plateau was once a productive orchard before being overdeveloped. This productivity was partly due to the water supply provided by the four irrigation channels diverted from the River Printse. The suggested route follows the course of two of these man-made channels and also links two village chapels. An easy, shaded and refreshing route for a hot day.

The fourth day is a long stage, using a variation on the "Chemin des Bisses" trail from La Luette. This interesting alternative in hot weather allows you to reach Vernamiège via a new trail created in 2015, "La Luette-Ossona-Les Prixes", via the Grande Combe footbridge. The elevation gain is less than on the traditional route. You will follow the large Bisse de Vex to the Mayens de Sion. You will pass through two typical villages in the Val d'Hérens: Hérémence and Euseigne.

A very beautiful route through the Veysonnaz and Nendaz region. The route consists entirely of forest tracks. The hike begins at the Veysonnaz resort, heading into the Ojentze valley and passing through La Giettaz. The next stop is Planchouet, with its two excellent restaurants. The walk then passes through La Planie and along the Tracouet road, which winds its way through the forest to the top of the Trancouet cable car (Nendaz resort). The return route takes you via Prarion and its larch trees, some of which are several hundred years old (600 years). The walk also passes through Haute-Nendaz, Pracondu, Sofleu, Sarclenze, the Scie bridge, La Giettaz and Veysonnaz.

The aim of this hike is to be able to walk without the risk of falling on steep, slippery slopes after heavy rain. Once you have completed the initial climb, it is all downhill. The starting point can be reached on foot from La Barboleuse or, more conveniently, by bus from Villars sur Ollon or La Barboleuse. The bus stop is called Les Fracherets. You can even go to the bus terminus, which saves you a few dozen metres of elevation gain.

An easy walk in the hills above Savièse, combining bisses and fields.

During this first stage, you will discover part of the Old Saxon Bisse (the longest of the bisse: 26 km from its water source in Siviez to La Boveresse). The bisse starts at the point (6). Built in the 1850s, the pipes no longer exist, so you will have to wait until you reach La Tzoumaz to finally see water flowing along the path. The bisse is currently being restored in sections.

The word "bisse" is used in Valais to refer to irrigation channels that carry water from the mountains to cultivated land. They can be buried in the ground, carved into the rock or suspended from cliffs. Some bisses are over 500 years old and their pipes are damaged or no longer exist due to landslides. Water is therefore not available everywhere, despite efforts to restore this precious heritage. Over six days, you will discover these trails steeped in history.

This route, starting from Vernayaz, takes in some of the most iconic sites from the early days of tourism in Valais: the Route des Diligences, the Dailley Gorges and the Pissevache Waterfall. To complete a circular route, take a lovely balcony path beneath the Dent du Salentin. This allows you to enjoy the spectacular route through the Dailley Gorges as part of a day’s walk, rather than just a return trip from the car park.

This beautiful route follows part of the “Route des Diligences”, which, in themid-19th century, alongside the arrival of the railway, led to the boom in tourism in the Trient Valley. The hike also offers the chance to admire the historic chalets in the villages of Les Granges, Les Marécottes and Le Trétien.Accessible by public transport.

From the start, there is a 27% slope, then 40% under the cliff, with a few passages requiring cables. A large part of the 6.9 km route is blue and white. A physically demanding hike, but what a reward at the summit! In good weather, the Peak to Peak is a bonus.

A loop with a mountain atmosphere facing the imposing Diablerets massif, with a return trip to the Col de Seron. In the second part, you will have a view of the Oberland peaks in the distance. Not to mention the small Lac Rétaud in its setting, to be admired at the end of the day.

Today's stage is unusual: it starts with a descent before a long climb, a second descent and a chairlift transfer, followed by a flat walk and a bus ride to the lodge.

This seventh stage takes place in high mountains and, depending on the season, may involve crossing snowfields.From the Prafleuri hut, head towards the Col des Roux, then descend to Lac des Dix. Walk along the lake to the south-eastern end, where you will find signs for the Cabane des Dix. The path follows the glacier moraine and then goes around Tête Noire to reach the Cabane des Dix. Views of Mont Blanc de Cheilon, La Ruinette and Pigne d'Arolla.