Nendaz walks

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.

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.

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.

An unusual stage today: it starts with a downhill hike before a long climb uphill, a second descent and a ski lift ride followed by a walk over flatland and a bus ride to the lodge.

Second stage of this hike crossing two passes, Louvie Pass and Prafleuri Pass, both snow-covered.

In the Swiss valley, this particularly pleasant hike allows you to explore the many 4000 m peaks that surround the route. N.B. this route is outlined on Openmap which doesn't have the details of our fine IGN maps. Before being able to get your hands on a Swiss map, which are more precise, the route and GPS layouts will be handy for this pleasant trek.

First stage of this trek linking Fionay village to Saas Fee. A pleasant stage reaching Louvie Hut (la Cabane de Louvie) built on the edge of Louvie Lake.

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.

A challenging loop with alternating gentle climbs and easy descents, offering magnificent views of the Val de Bagne on one side and Orsières on the other. There are also numerous views of the French and Swiss Alps in good weather.

The word "bisse" is used in Valais to refer to irrigation channels that carry water from the mountains to cultivated land. They can be buried in the ground, carved into the rock or suspended from cliffs. Some bisses are over 500 years old and their pipes are damaged or no longer exist due to landslides. Water is therefore not available everywhere, despite efforts to restore this precious heritage. Over six days, you will discover these trails steeped in history.

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.

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.

A long climb to Torrent Pass before reaching Moiry Lake, then Saint-Luc by bus, Tignousa by cable car and finally Bella Tola by foot. Think about correcting the distance indicated by points (5) et (6) : you need to deduct 10 km.

A high mountain stage which requires hiking boots with crampons to cross the Arolla glacier. You should get an early start for this long stage of the hike.

stage 7 of the Tour du Mont Blanc from Champex (Switzerland) to Trient via the Col de la Forclaz.

This is a variation on the Sentier Le Belvedere walk which is described in the Pays du St-Bernard tourist booklet.

A short and easy walk from Champex Lac, taking the well signposted and good paths beside the Bisse. These are the water channels made to control and route the flow of water for irrigation purposes. The path returns to Champex via part of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) path.

A circular walk from Champex Lac; ascending the tranquil and beautiful Combe d'Orny and joining the path to the Cabane d'Orny where there are refreshments available. The descent is via the path back to the La Breya ski lift taking in an optional ascent of La Breya. (It is also possible to descend by foot via the Val d' Arpette or from the ski lift, similarly the walk can be shortened and height gain reduced by taking the ski lift up.)

A circular walk from Champex Lac; ascending via the Bisses to the Arpette valley and then taking the path uphill through forest to the Col de la Breya. Then descending and joining the path to the Cabane d'Orny (refreshments available). The descent is via the path back to the La Breya chair lift taking in an optional ascent of La Breya.

6th stage of the Mont Blanc tour: from the Relais d'Arpette to the Forclaz Pass via la Fenêtre d'Arpette.

A lovely circular walk for a half day out which is good if the weather is forecast to deteriorate in the afternoon. It can also be extended if you want a longer walk. Amazing views from the top of Plan Monnay.

This 8th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) offers two options, the tough one via Fenetre D'Arpette and the somewhat easier option over Porte à l'Ô. Here's the second version, past Plan de L' au, over Alpage de Bovine and Porte à l'Ô, past the Col de la Forclaz to drop down to Trient. Let's do it! The TMB is a classic long-distance footpath that goes around Mont Blanc, passing from France into Italy and through Switzerland before returning to France.

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)

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.

An ascent of an easy alpine peak starting from the La Breya ski lift and via the Orny and Trient mountain huts. Superb views over the Trient Plateau.

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.

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

A circular walk in the lower part of the Swiss Val Ferret. One of the walks publicized by the tourist office and well signposted. There are information boards (in French) about the construction of traditional barns made from local stone and timber. Easy walking, navigation and some interesting information. The first section is on a quiet road.

Two-day circuit with a night in a mountain hut and exploration of the Combe de Valsorey, at the foot of the Grand Combin (4,312 m) and Mont Vélan (3,727 m). Spectacular high mountain scenery guaranteed.

The Cabane du Vélan (2,642 m) is nothing like a traditional Swiss hut. Its bold, futuristic architecture, adorned with solar panels (inaugurated in 1993), makes it look more like a ship than a refuge and has earned it the Ligue de Protection du Patrimoine award. It enjoys an exceptional location above moraines and glaciers, with magnificent views of the Grand Combin massif (4,312 m) and Mont Vélan (3,727 m).

The aim of this hike is to be able to walk without the risk of falling on steep, slippery slopes after heavy rain. Once you have completed the initial climb, it is all downhill. The starting point can be reached on foot from La Barboleuse or, more conveniently, by bus from Villars sur Ollon or La Barboleuse. The bus stop is called Les Fracherets. You can even go to the bus terminus, which saves you a few dozen metres of elevation gain.