From La Forclaz to Les Mayens de Bréonna

By car, drive up the Val d’Hérens to Les Haudères, then follow signs for Ferpècle. Stop at the car park at the entrance to La Forclaz.

(S/E) Continue along the “Route de la Forclaz” until you reach the junction with a signpost reading “Les Mayens de Bréonna 1h 05”

(1) Turn left towards Les Mayens de Bréonna. Look out for the letterbox on your left and the path through the grass leading up towards the houses. Take this path if you are doing the route in the opposite direction. Otherwise, carry on straight ahead.

(2) At the crossroads, follow the road/track that branches off to the left and climbs uphill. Several paths cut across this white track. Swiss yellow markings or traces of blue paint indicate shortcuts that avoid the track’s hairpin bends. Arrival at Les Mayens, a cluster of very old chalets.

(3) Ignore the marked path leading off to the right. Follow the yellow-marked path which runs level for a while, then descends to the left (extension: see practical information).

(4) Almost at the edge of the woods, look out for a blue marker. Take the path which descends more steeply, through the forest and then across the meadows. The grass is quite tall in summer, but the path is clearly marked as it is used regularly. At the bottom, pass almost right next to two houses

Follow the road you took on the way there, on the right.

(1) At the crossroads, take the street leading down towards the village centre. Carry on for a short while to explore and admire the buildings clustered close together. Head back up via Rue des Rachettes. Arrival at the car park (S/E).

Paid car park (during office hours!) and free on Sundays. Parking spaces are scarce at other times unless you’re going to the restaurant.

Bus stop ‘La Forclaz VS’ – Bus No. 383 going to Ferpècle. Departs from Sion. Check for details

Small grocery shop in summer. Otherwise, head to La Sage or the villages further down.

No ski lifts on this route. A real pleasure.

Option for a less steep ascent: you can follow the white path for most of the way to make the climb easier. The ascent is mainly in the sun.
The descent is mainly in the shade of the larch trees. At the (4), you can continue straight on for a less steep descent and avoid crossing the meadows with tall grass, depending on the season.

You can do the route in the opposite direction depending on your preference for shade or sun.

At (3), there is the option to extend the route via the path that climbs to the right then veers left towards the final Mayens. Continue to the Tsalé refreshment hut, situated at 2167m. On the map, it is located near the Tsalè du Tsaté, north of the Mayens de Bréonna, at the top of a ski lift (not visible if you follow the route described, so it won’t spoil the view). From there, head down following the yellow markings and, at an altitude of 1,851 metres, take the Chemin du Moto. The total route is 6 km with 470 metres of elevation gain, not including a visit to the village.

Be sure to take a stroll through the village centre. There are magnificent wooden houses dating back several centuries, many with slate roofs.

The Mayens de Bréonna are very well preserved and maintained. They are now used as holiday homes, accessible for a few months each year.

All along the ascent, there are stunning views of the high peaks overlooking the Ferpècle valley and the mountain pastures.