Ormont-Dessus walks

A loop with a mountain atmosphere facing the imposing Diablerets massif, with a return trip to the Col de Seron. In the second part, you will have a view of the Oberland peaks in the distance. Not to mention the small Lac Rétaud in its setting, to be admired at the end of the day.

From the start, there is a 27% slope, then 40% under the cliff, with a few passages requiring cables. A large part of the 6.9 km route is blue and white. A physically demanding hike, but what a reward at the summit! In good weather, the Peak to Peak is a bonus.

After reaching Vers les Lacs, you will hike through beautiful scenery to climb to the summit of Pic Chaussy, where you can enjoy a sweeping panorama. The descent is on another slope, still in beautiful surroundings, to the lovely Lac Lioson.

This second stage will take you from the Col des Mosses to the renowned resort of Les Diablerets. The Aï, Mayen and Famelon towers will accompany you for much of the way and you will see them from different angles. The route also offers numerous panoramic views of the Diablerets Massif, the Chablais, the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc Massif.

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.

A beautiful hike in the Vaud Alps. This route offers a wide variety of landscapes. You will discover the Tours d'Aï, Mayen and Famelon. From the Col de la Pierre du Moëllé, you can enjoy a view of Lake Hongrin. Along the route, there are numerous panoramic viewpoints over the Diablerets Massif, the Chablais, the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc Massif.

This first stage will take you from Leysin, at the foot of the famous Aï, Mayen and Famelon towers, to the Col des Mosses. From the Col de la Pierre du Moëllé, you can enjoy a view of Lake Hongrin. Along the route, there are numerous panoramic viewpoints over the Diablerets Massif, the Chablais, the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc Massif.

The Tours d'Aï and Mayen are twin peaks visible from afar. The Tour de Mayen is slightly lower than its neighbour, not as busy and provides a more wilderness setting. The climb is progressive with two stages, the Chalets de Mayen and Segray Lake. Just beneath the summit, a very clear view of Lac Léman, les Diablerets, le Chablais, les dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc Massif.

The Tours d'Aï and Mayen are twin peaks visible from afar. The Tour d'AÏ is slightly higher than its neighbour, and also visited more frequently. It's a progressive climb which offers an aerial tour at the very end. Amazing views of Lac Léman, le Chablais, les Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc massif from the summit.

Departure from Rochers de Naye by rack railway with a night in a bivouac just above Pertuis d'Aveneyre. The route largely follows the Via Alpina trail. Some paths are narrow, so caution is advised for those prone to vertigo.

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 autumn walk through the lands of Farinet, the Robin Hood of Valais, a beautiful climb through the vineyards to a spectacular footbridge that crosses the Salentze valley at a height of over 130 metres. There are no particular difficulties, but the footbridge is strongly discouraged for people who are prone to vertigo. The thermal baths of Saillon, 500 m from the finish, offer a great way to relax at the end of the day.

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.

Starting from La Cergniaulaz towards Le Molard, this is a lovely walk along the peaks of the Cap au Moine, which can be extended via the Pierra Perchia for thrill seekers (to be avoided in bad weather) and descend via the Col de Jaman and La Planiaz.

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.

During this beautiful stage of the Tour des Dents du Midi, you will cross pastures and forests to reach Chindonne. As the stage is quite short, you will not miss climbing the Dent de Valerette, a magnificent viewpoint. You will then enjoy a panoramic view of the Dents du Midi and the Rhône valley.

During this fourth stage of the Tour des Dents du Midi, the route offers more magnificent views overlooking the Val-d'Illiez. At Signal de Soi, you can admire the Tête de Chalin, the Cime de l'Est, the cathedral and the Dent Jaune. At the Cabane d'Antème, wonderfully located at the foot of the Haute Cime, you can enjoy a sunset over the Dents du Midi and the Portes du Soleil.

An uphill hike taking you to the foot of the Eastern Peak (Cime de l'Est), eastern peninsular of "les Dents du Midi", with mind-blowing mountain view points and a panoramic view extending towards the Vaudois Alps. A challenging itinerary with a short aerial path through ridges.

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.

Moléson is a popular peak in the Fribourg Pre-Alps because it offers superb views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains. This hike takes you up the mountain, first passing the steep summit of Teysachaux and then following a pleasant ridge trail.

A beautiful loop to do in the Teysachaux area, with varied landscapes. If you're lucky, you might spot some marmots. You can park at the start of the route, where there are 5 or 6 spaces.

This last stage will take you to the shores of Lake Geneva in Vevey. From Les Paccots, a forest trail will lead you to the Fégire footbridge, where the Veveyse de Fégire marks the border between the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud. When you arrive at Laly and from the Pléiades trail, you can admire Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alpine peaks. You will pass through a few vineyards before arriving in Vevey.

During this second stage, after the Col d'Emaney, you will be enchanted by the peaceful Alpage d'Emaney. During the ascent of the Col de Fenestral, you will be surprised by the beauty of the Lac de Blantsin. The Col de Fenestral offers a panoramic view of the entire eastern part of the Mont Blanc massif.

During this stage of the Tour des Dents du Midi, at the Col du Jorat you will enjoy a panoramic view to the south of the peaks on the border with Italy. You will probably recognise the Matterhorn. You will also have a bird's eye view of the Lac de Salanfe, with the Dôme de la Sallière in the background. To the north, the Rhône valley awaits you. In the small village of Mex, nestled on a plateau, several viewpoints offer views of the villages in the valley, all the way to Lake Geneva.

This final stage will take you back to Les Marécottes station, very close to the starting point in Salvan. The Salanfe glacier cirque is located at the crossroads of numerous hiking trails. You will finish your tour via the Col de la Golette, which is not very busy. The passage is quite narrow and the start of the descent is equipped with chains. At the pass, you can enjoy one last view of the Dents du Midi and Lake Salanfe. To the east, you can enjoy the panorama of the Valais Alps.