Evolène walks

A small, turquoise-blue lake, surrounded by Swiss stone pines and venerable larch trees – this is the destination of your hike. With views of the peaks as a bonus. You’ll pass through hamlets with magnificent wooden chalets featuring slate roofs. A cosy Valais-style café and restaurant awaits you beside the lake. This route is short, but you’ll get a good workout given the elevation gain.

A short but fascinating route. It climbs steadily, avoiding the hairpin bends of the white track used by 4x4s. Magnificent views of the Dent Blanche and the neighbouring peaks. The traditional Mayens are an absolute must-see, as is the very well-preserved centre of the village of La Forclaz. The descent through the larch trees is pleasant. Can be extended via the Tsalè refreshment hut – Total: 6 km, 480 m

This ninth stage is more relaxing than the previous ones. Many hikers skip this section by taking a bus transfer from Arolla to La Sage or Villa. Although short and easy, this stage really has its place in the route. The trail passes by Lac Bleu and crosses the beautiful hamlet of La Gouille, typical of the Val d'Hérens, then the villages of Les Haudères and La Sage. From La Gouille to Les Haudères, the trail follows the "La Borgne d'Arolla" torrent. In the centre of Les Haudères, a sign indicates the path that climbs up to the village of La Sage.

Today's high mountain stage requires the use of crampons to cross the Arolla glacier. This long stage requires an early start.

This tenth stage takes place once again in the high mountains and, depending on the season, may involve crossing snowfields. This day is spent in the company of peaks over 4,000 metres high.From La Sage or Villa, there are two passes that allow you to cross from the Val d'Hérens to the Val d'Anniviers: the Col de Torrent and the Col du Tsaté. Closer to the high peaks and glaciers, we will opt for the Col du Tsaté. From La Sage, follow the signs for Moteau and Le Tsaté (an old abandoned hamlet). The trail continues to a cattle farm (Remointse du Tsaté), then to the small Lac du Tsaté. From there, the Col du Tsaté is visible on the Val d'Anniviers side, and the path joins the Lac de Moiry to the dam. At the foot of this structure, a well-marked trail leads to Grimentz.

Long climb up the Col de Torrent before reaching Lac de Moiry, then Saint-Luc by bus, Tignousa by funicular railway and finally Bella Tola on foot. Remember to adjust the distance using the information provided by the points (6) and (7): you need to subtract 10 km.

For this fifth stage, you will leave the Moiry hut and the snow-capped peaks for another hut in a very different world. You will once again follow the Lac de Moiry, but on its other shore. You will cross large grassy expanses to the Alpage de Torrent. From this mountain pasture to the Pas de la Lona, you will follow part of the famous Verbier-Grimentz mountain bike trail. The final climb will take you to the foot of the Becs de Bosson for a night at almost 3,000 metres.

This eighth stage takes place in high mountains and, depending on the season, may involve crossing snowfields. From the Cabane des Dix, return to the Pas de Chèvres / Col de Riedmaten junction. Return to the Pas de Chèvres after a long passage through scree and large boulders. Ladders provide access to the Pas des Chèvres. The descent to Arolla follows a good path. Views of Mont Collon and Pigne d'Arolla.Pas de Chèvres or Col de Riedmaten? See the "Practical information" section.

Beautiful hike along a long alpine path, then a steeper trail at the end. At the hut, there is a route equipped with chains, and the one I took, which is less steep. Spectacular view from the hut, very warm welcome, and very comfortable for spending the night. Multiple options for returning to different valleys.

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.

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.

The Val d'Anniviers ends at the Zinal Glacier and the Moiry Glacier, separated by the Pigne de la Lé and the Garda Bordon. The route of this fourth stage will take you to the Cabane de Moiry, very close to the glacier of the same name. To avoid the long climb to Sorebois, take the cable car to the Weisshorn area. You will switch to the Moiry side and overlook this magnificent lake at an average altitude of 2,500 metres. Upon arrival at the Cabane de Moiry, you will be richly rewarded.

This is a long stage passing through two mountain passes, but it is shortened by the cable car connection from Zinal and the bus transfer between Villa Evolène and Arolla. Please note: taking into account the cable car transport, the positive elevation gain is not 2,156 metres as indicated, but only 1,380 metres.

This sixth stage will take you to Grimentz, a beautiful village typical of the Val d'Anniviers. From the Col des Becs de Bosson, the route is all downhill. For the more experienced, it is possible to climb the Petit Bec de Bosson. For this climb: at the pass, the route is marked by a white-blue-white sign. The final section is rated T4 to T5. Not for inexperienced climbers.

This seventh stage will take you to Vercorin. This small, traditional village is located on the border between the Vallon de Réchy and the Val d'Anniviers. From Grimentz, take the Bendolla cable car and follow the trails through the ski area to reach the Col du Louché. You will then descend into the magnificent Vallon de Réchy. After Lac du Louché, follow the Rèche to the towpath where the peaceful Bisse de Vercorin begins. You will soon reach the pretty little village of Vercorin.

This eleventh stage takes place in the mid-mountains. The Hotel Weisshorn, perched at an altitude of nearly 2,400 metres, is visible from Grimentz. The path descends towards Navisence and then passes through the village of Ayer. Follow the Chemin des Cols Alpins to reach the Hotel Weisshorn. From its terrace, it offers a superb view of the summit that bears its name.

This is a classic stage of the Tour du Cervin, passing through the highest point of the hike, the Col de Valcournera, at an altitude of 3,075 metres. Hike with a brief description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

The stage starts in the mountain pastures and quickly enters the high mountains with the passage of the Col de Valcornera.

Facing Cervinio, then superb landscapes after Cime Blanche. We will now spend five days on the Tour du Mont Rose. Hike with a brief description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

It is possible to take the ski lifts up to the Théodule refuge, depending on conditions, particularly from Plan Maison via Breuil; or even as far as Fornet, to get even closer

This description differs from the classic Combins tour. This route is not recommended in bad weather. It offers an alternative off the beaten track via the Refuge de Crête Seiche. The atmosphere is alpine, requiring a good level of experience on stony paths and snowfields. The distance may seem short and the elevation gain low, but it is a difficult stage.

This is the second part of the classic stage of the Tour du Cervin, running from Prarayer to Breuil. The final section of the route can be avoided if you are tired once you reach the road. It is also possible to head towards Varvoie and Lake Perrères to rejoin the road more quickly.

Today, discover the giant of the area, the splendid Matterhorn, before seeing it up close in the evening at the Gandeg Cabin.

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.