The Farinet Footbridge

The hike starts at the CFF station in Saint-Pierre de Clages-Chamoson.

(S/E) Opposite the station, follow Chemin de l'Alouette Lulu, cross the cantonal road with caution and continue opposite until you reach Rue de l'Église, then turn right towards the village centre.

(1) At the crossroads by the church, turn left onto Rue de la Portettaz towards Chamoson for about 100 metres (be careful of traffic, as the street is narrow). Keep to the left and ignore the signs for Chamoson at Rue de Collombey. Continue along the road for about one kilometre until you reach the river.

(2) Follow the river, climbing up to the right until you reach a bridge.

(3) Just after the bridge, descend to the left and, after about 100 metres, leave the riverbank and head to the right. After 800 metres, follow a path that leads into the vineyards on the right.

(4) Turn right then left, cross Route de Chamoson with caution and continue along the same path, which climbs slightly, then runs along the foot of the cliffs and joins Route d'Ovronax. Follow this road for about 100 metres.

(5) Descend to the left along a good path through the vineyards. After 50 metres, keep to the right and do not descend to the village of Leytron. Continue along the hillside for one kilometre.

(6) The path joins a tarmac road, which you should follow, then quickly leave via a steep path that climbs to the right. After a tough but short climb that cuts across the bends in this road, you will reach the village of Produit.

(7) In the centre of the village, turn left, then continue climbing on the right until you reach the hamlet of Montagnon.

(8) Follow the signs for "Passerelle à Farinet" on the left. At the edge of the village, take the path that climbs to the right, branches off to the left under the trees, crosses a stream and arrives at a place called Les Oufles.

(9) Pass under the chalets and continue south to the Passerelle à Farinet.

(10) Cross this spectacular structure, which towers over the valley at a height of more than 130 m, and then follow the path down through the forest to a tarmac road.

(11) Follow it, take a hairpin bend to continue the descent and arrive at a fork.

(12) Take a very steep path on the right that descends towards Saillon. Cross a first tarmac road, then a second. At the third crossroads, follow the road on the right for 100 m.

(13) Descend left onto a path that crosses the vineyards and joins Rue des Remparts, which runs along the top of the old village of Saillon.

(14) After 250 m, turn right to cross the old village, following the yellow signs. When you reach a terrace, go down the steps between the vineyards to Avenue des Comte de Savoie.

(15) Follow it to the left until you reach the bus stop, which marks the end of the hike (S/E).

• Before crossing the footbridge, there is a picnic area and toilets.
• At the end of the route, there are post buses that connect to Martigny and the CFF network during the day, with approximately three per hour.

• The old village of Saillon is quite picturesque and, if you feel up to it, you can climb up to the old watchtower that overlooks the village.
• The vineyard at Farinet, dedicated to the famous counterfeiter by the commune of Saillon, where he operated in the 19th century, is picturesque but, in my opinion, of limited interest.