From Tête-Noire, the circular trail leads to the Gorges Mystérieuses. It crosses old meadows before reaching a rocky outcrop that you will cross using four wooden ladders. Stone steps then take you down through the forest to the gallery. 120 metres of footbridges lead you to the bottom of the gorge dominated by the Grotte aux Nymphes. The return journey is partly along the old international road (footpath) linking Martigny to Chamonix.
Tête Noire
Short loop to visit the Grotte aux Nymphes.
Well-equipped and mainly shaded trail.
The descent to the Grotte aux Nymphes is steep. The climb back up is gentler. You can do this hike in the opposite direction if you prefer a slow descent and a steep climb.
Please note: in summer 2025, the Grotte aux Nymphes was not accessible due to construction work.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 3.03 km -
Average duration: 2h 05 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 428 m -
Descent: - 437 m -
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Highest point: 1,273 m -
Lowest point: 987 m
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Country:
Switzerland
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Area: Alps -
City:
Valais -
Start/End: N 46.071414° / E 6.974866° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 3630OT, 3630OTR -
Hour-by-hour weather
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,183 m - Tête Noire car park
- 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 1,129 m - Tête Noire
- 2 : km 1.09 - alt. 1,053 m - Grotte aux Nymphes
- 3 : km 1.21 - alt. 993 m - Fourche
- 4 : km 2.04 - alt. 1,092 m - Path
- 5 : km 2.42 - alt. 1,197 m - Old tunnel
- S/E : km 3.03 - alt. 1,183 m - Tête Noire car park
Other walks in the area
Trient to Tré-le-Champ - Tour Monte Blanc
Association / Club / Walk leader 13.75 km
+1,146 m
-1,034 m
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from Valais
This 9th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) offers three options, the North-West one that climbs up almost to the summit of Carraye (t 2,132m) and drops down to Valorcine, the South-West past Col de Balme (at 2,191m) then drops to Le Tour or the middle option that goes over Col de Balme and Aiguilette des Posettes (at 2,210m) to drop down to Tré-le-Champ. Here's the description of the classic middle option. 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.
Along the Bisse du Trient
Visorando Member 
6.42 km
+358 m
-363 m
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Valais
Starting from Col de la Forclaz (1527m), a short and easy out-and-back walk along the Bisse du Trient (irrigation channel) to the Chalet du Glacier (1583m), which offers a fine view of the Glacier du Trient and the Petite Pointe d'Orny (3187m).
⚠️ Part of the trail has been damaged by a landslide. Bypassing is possible, but the walk is not accessible for baby carriages and wheelchairs (see practical info).
7th stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)
Visorando Member 14.30 km
+1,055 m
-1,223 m
7h 05
Moderate
Departure from Valais
7th stage of the TMB: from Forclaz pass to Montroc
Emosson Dam - Auberge de Salanfe
Visorando Member 
13.27 km
+1,270 m
-1,436 m
7h 25
Difficult
Departure from Finhaut (Valais)
For this first stage, after skirting Lake Emosson opposite the Mont Ruan massif, the Col de Barberine and Col d'Emaney passes will take you to the shores of Lake Salanfe. You will appreciate the contrast between the Ruan massif and the Dents du Midi massif.
Loop between the lakes of Emosson and Salanfe.
Visorando Member 
28.04 km
+2,957 m
-2,953 m
2 days
Difficult
Departure from Finhaut (Valais)
Lac de Salanfe is located in a large cirque, which is most easily accessed from the east via the Vallon de Van d'En Haut. From the Emosson dam, two passes offer access to this magnificent lake.
In a high mountain setting, you can admire the Ruan massif to the south-west and the Dents du Midi massif to the north-west. During these two days, you will cross the Barberine, Emaney and Fenestral passes.
Ascending journey to the heights of Vallorcine
Visorando Member 
9.00 km
+293 m
-910 m
3h 25
Difficult
Departure from Finhaut (Valais)
An easy hike overlooking the Trient and Vallorcine valleys, with superb views of the surrounding mountains such as the Mont Blanc massif and the 4,000-metre peaks of Valais. Caution for those prone to vertigo or fear of heights: there is a section with handrails, which is not dangerous but requires particular attention
The Emosson lakes in the footsteps of the dinosaurs
Visorando Member 
22.57 km
+1,794 m
-1,789 m
12 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Vallorcine (Haute-Savoie)
A superb circular French-Swiss for experienced walkers.The beauty of the landscapes in absolute silence will make you forget everything.Add to that a leap back in time several million years and you'll feel like you're walking on air.
⚠️ 16/12/2025: closure of a section of the Barberine forest (between (S/E) and (1)). See decree. Detour possible.
Col de Balme - Champex-Lac
Visorando Member 
17.61 km
+1,319 m
-2,034 m
8h 50
Very difficult
Departure from Haute-Savoie
This second stage begins with a pleasant trail towards the "Des Grands" mountain pasture. Once you reach this chalet, the trail descends to the torrent, which you must cross at the Chalet du Glacier (1583 m). The view of the nearby Trient Glacier is magnificent. The long climb to the Fenêtre d'Arpette begins just after the Chalet Buvette. The landscape is chaotic at the pass and in the Arpette valley. The landscape becomes greener again from the Arpette refuge. The path then follows a bisse (irrigation channel) to Champex.
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