From Col des Planches to Grimentz via the bisses trail

The word ‘bisse’ is used in Valais to refer to an irrigation channel carrying water from the mountains to farmland. They may be buried underground, carved into the rock or suspended from cliffs. Some bisses date back over 500 years and their channels have deteriorated or even ceased to exist following rockfalls. Water is therefore not available everywhere, despite efforts to restore this precious heritage.
Over the course of six days, you will explore these trails steeped in history.

Photos

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S
   

   Col des Planches - La Tzoumaz

   8.55 mi 3,048 ft 2,720 ft

   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.

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2. 2
   

   La Tzoumaz - Nendaz

   9.23 mi 2,001 ft 2,372 ft

   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.

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3. 3
   

   Nendaz - Veysonnaz

   8.84 mi 1,781 ft 1,870 ft

   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.

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4. 4
   

   Veysonnaz - Vernamiège

   13.83 mi 3,550 ft 3,753 ft

   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.

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5. 5
   

   Vernamiège - Vercorin

   11.74 mi 3,314 ft 3,284 ft

   This fifth day will take you to the charming village of Vercorin. You will once again overlook the Rhône Valley as you pass through Nax, a pretty winter sports resort. Then you will gradually enter the deep valley of Réchy. You will admire the La Rèche torrent at the bottom of the valley, then begin the pleasant and peaceful route along the Bisse de Vercorin. In Vercorin, you can marvel at the many mazots (traditional houses) built on stilts.

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6. E
   

   Vercorin - Grimentz

   9.96 mi 3,251 ft 2,349 ft

   This sixth and final stage arrives in Grimentz, a beautiful village in the Val d'Anniviers. During this day, you will walk along two more bisses. First, the Bisse des Sarrasins, marked with information panels. This bisse is not in water. The route partially follows the old bisse trail. Finally, the Bisse de Saint Jean or Grand Bisse. It was abandoned for a long time and completely restored in 2012. As you approach Grimentz, you will enjoy the snow-capped peaks at over 4,000 metres

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