The Bisse du Ro, starting from Crans-Montana

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You’ll walk alongside what is probably the oldest bisse. Since 1947, as maintenance had become too dangerous, the water no longer flows through it; it has been diverted. The information boards along the path are well worth reading. The path can be quite impressive as you often follow a platform right in the middle of the cliff face, as shown in one of the photos. Of particular note is a Himalayan-style footbridge – wide but nonetheless impressive, 124 metres long – built in 2020. The route is very well secured. You can extend the walk to the Tseuzier dam and return by bus, or otherwise return via the same route.

Please note: given the terrain, the elevation gain shown is significantly overestimated. Expect around 150 metres.

Details

n°100204946
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.06 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,071 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,081 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,614 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,131 ft
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Photos

Bisse du Rô, elevated section
Along the bisse
WATERFALL
View from the Bisse du Rô

Description of the walk

From the centre of Crans Montana, follow signs for Plans-Mayens. On the “Route de Plans-Mayens”, a sign points to the Cabane des Lys on the west-hand side of the road. Parking available. If not, continue down the Route de Plans-Mayens to find another possible parking spot.

Another option: Access from the bus stop or the Beau Cèdre car park. Walk to (1)

(S/E) Head west and follow the yellow-marked path which passes in front of the refreshment kiosk and runs alongside the Bisse du Ro.

(1) At the junction (bench), continue straight on along the bisse. Further on, there’s a lovely view over the Liènne Valley and Lake Tseuzier. Ignore a path leading down to the left.

(2) Take a Himalayan-style footbridge to cross a ravine.

(3) On the other side, turn left and continue along the bisse (north, then north-east and finally north).

(4) Turn left and head down to a riverside picnic area (with a waterfall when the water is flowing strongly).

(5) Retrace your steps to the previous junction.

(4) There are two options for the return journey:
- Turn right and follow the outward route in the opposite direction back to the car park (S/E).
- Continue straight on towards the Tseuzier dam. Head up towards the Er de Chermignon, then at the crossroads turn left towards the dam/lake. Return by bus to Crans-Montana – option to go to Sierre.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,197 ft - Car park – Cabane des Lys
  2. 1 : mi 0.39 - alt. 5,207 ft - Crossroads – Bench
  3. 2 : mi 1.39 - alt. 5,315 ft - Southern end of the - Passerelle du Bisse du Ro
  4. 3 : mi 1.46 - alt. 5,315 ft - Northern end of the - Passerelle du Bisse du Ro
  5. 4 : mi 2.46 - alt. 5,476 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 2.5 - alt. 5,472 ft - Picnic area
  7. S/E : mi 5.06 - alt. 5,197 ft - Car park – Cabane des Lys

Notes

Long stretches are along footbridges amidst vertical rock faces, hence the inaccurate elevation gain. Following this bisse is impressive and not recommended for those prone to vertigo. It is said to be the most acrobatically constructed canal amongst the many bisses of the French-speaking Valais. It includes sections where the rock forces you to bend over, even if you’re only 1.50m tall!

In early spring, after heavy rain, or in autumn: check with the tourist office for the condition of the path. It is closed at certain times: in winter, etc.

Next to the car park, the Cabane des Lys is a charming spot with a refreshment bar and light meals. The terrace is sunny… in fine weather. Access is via a small road suitable for vehicles, although this isn’t clearly marked on the map.

Further on (4), there are toilet facilities followed by a picnic table.

From Crans to Le Tseuzier or vice versa: Car Postal (Lines 352 & 353) + Anzère Liberté shuttle bus

Worth a visit

Bisse du Ro: it used to rise in the Ertenze valley and flow down to Crans-Montana.

There are numerous information boards along the bisse.

Other walks in the area

Walking Bisse du Ro and Tseuzier dam

Visorando Member
↔10.26 mi ↗+4,908 ft ↘-4,908 ft ◔9h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Icogne (Valais)
The climb up the Bisse du Ro to Lake Tseuzier is fairly easy The return trip is more difficult, with a steep descent at the beginning and a steep climb at the end of the walk In the middle there is a field with cows, so remember to close the gates behind you

Walking Short loop around the Étang des Miriouges

Visorando Member
↔1.56 mi ↗+312 ft ↘-308 ft ◔1h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Icogne (Valais)
Departure at the foot of a magnificent chapel for a lovely loop with a beautiful lake surrounded by larch trees and tables and benches for lunch. Trail following a small stream to the pond

Walking Bisse du Tsittoret

Visorando Member
Bisse du Tsittoret
↔10.74 mi ↗+2,457 ft ↘-2,451 ft ◔7h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Randogne (Valais)
An accessible hike without any major difficulties, this is a beautiful hike starting from Aminona, with spectacular waterfalls and beautiful landscapes along the way. You can take a break along the way at the Colombire relay station (credit cards accepted) or at the Sex cave (no credit cards).

Walking Combe de Serin, Serin and return to Anzere via the Bisses

Visorando Member
Combe de Serin, Serin and return to Anzere via the Bisses
↔8.16 mi ↗+1,634 ft ↘-4,262 ft ◔5h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Arbaz (Valais)
Starting from the Anzere cable car station this walk follows a piste before heading uphill into an alpine pasture where the path all but disappears, this section is short as you soon pick up a better track to the Combe de Serin and a descend to the alpine pastures at Serin. You then take the waymarked paths back through the forest and beside the Bisse to Anzere. A varied and interesting walk with great views.

Walking Circular Tour of Sex Rouge including the Summit

Visorando Member
Circular Tour of Sex Rouge including the Summit
↔11.73 mi ↗+2,792 ft ↘-5,417 ft ◔7h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Arbaz (Valais)
This walk starts in Anzere and uses the cable car to the Pas de Maimbre. The walk takes you around the Sex Rouge and includes the short but steep ascent to the summit for the great views across the Pennine Alps. It descends to pass the Cabane de Audannes and then through the Combe des Andins to Serin. After this is uses one of the established Bisse walks to return to Anzere. ⚠️(Note in 2024 the path between point 2616m and the col at La Selle was affected by a landslide and is unsafe. This route uses a deviation set up by local mountain guides; it is marked with posts but is not yet as obvious as it will be, once it is used by many people)

Walking Tsittoret Bisse (Crans Montana)

Visorando Member
↔8.99 mi ↗+2,241 ft ↘-2,241 ft ◔6h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mollens (Valais)
For fans of bisses (Swiss irrigation channels). A very lovely hike covering part of the Tsittoret bisse. We avoided the first section of the bisse, which we’d been told was steep, by starting our walk from a place called l’Aminona. The walk is generally accessible as it follows the channels, though there are a few fairly steep flights of steps. A few beautiful waterfalls and magnificent views will make this walk truly special. A lovely mix of shaded and rocky areas will help you adapt to this walk whatever the weather. We made a detour towards the Petit Mont Bonvin and returned via the Tièche valley to complete a circular walk. (No. 101211191)

Walking Three Bisses Circular Route starting from Venthône

Visorando Member
Boucle des trois bisses au départ de Venthône
↔12.51 mi ↗+2,543 ft ↘-2,520 ft ◔8h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Mollens (Valais)
In Valais, ‘bisses’ are irrigation channels built along the mountainside to distribute water from glacial torrents. Walking along the bisses generally makes for easy (little elevation gain) and pleasant walks. The route suggested here combines several bisses to form a circular route: out via the Bisse Neuf and the Bisse de Varen, through the forest; back via the Bisse de Mengis along the edge of the vineyards, passing by the Cascade de la Raspille. This results in a slightly greater elevation gain (as the outbound and return bisses are at different altitudes), but it allows for a greater variety of landscapes along the way.

Walking Vercorin - Chalais

Visorando Member
Vercorin - Chalais
↔7.61 mi ↗+531 ft ↘-3,189 ft ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Chalais (Canton du Valais) (Valais)
This last stage will take you back to the Rhône Valley, to the Chalais-Vercorin cable car car park. On this downhill route, you will rejoin the Rèche. After a pretty waterfall, you will walk along the Bisse de Ricard, then cross vineyards irrigated by this canalised bisse. Back in the forest, you will once again follow this peaceful canal.

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