Valais walks

Passing through the preserved site of Tanay, with its lake, you climb to a summit that offers a unique view of Lake Geneva and a wide panorama of the surrounding mountains. A popular hike with steep sections but no technical difficulty.N.B. The calculated elevation gain is slightly overestimated; the actual cumulative elevation gain is close to 1,000 metres.

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).

As its name suggests, this summit offers a superb panorama, particularly of the nearby Dents du Midi. The proposed route offers a pleasant walk mainly through mountain pastures.

An easy walk in the hills above Savièse, combining bisses and fields.

After passing through Swiss stone pine forests, this circular hike leads to an impressive record-breaker: the Charles Kuonen Footbridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world.

A not too busy hike up to a summit offering a vast panoramic view. A relatively challenging route with some aerial passages requesting a certain sense of itinerary at times. The beginning of the hikes passes through Tanay site and its lake.

Imagine a world-famous postcard backdrop and a route along five lakes perched above Zermatt. What's more, it's effortless, as you go up by funicular and come down by train. The only downside is the cost of transport!

The Nendaz plateau was once a productive orchard before being overdeveloped. This productivity was partly due to the water supply provided by the four irrigation channels diverted from the River Printse. The suggested route follows the course of two of these man-made channels and also links two village chapels. An easy, shaded and refreshing route for a hot day.

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

This easy round trip could have continued towards Lake Chésery, or even Lake Vert, to form a circular route returning via Tovassière, but the rain and thunderstorm forced us to turn back. It remains a lovely walk along the banks of the stream, featuring several welcome shelters for a picnic in changeable weather.

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.

This sixth stage takes place in the high mountains and, depending on the season, may involve crossing snowfields.From Lake Louvie, climb up to Col Termin and rejoin the balcony path that comes from the Montfort Hut. Continue to Col de Louvie (possibility of snowfields). After descending Col de Louvie, the path passes at the foot of the Grand Désert Glacier. The trail then crosses scree; look out for the red and white markings and follow the signs for Prafleuri. Climb Col de Prafleuri. Descend to Torrent de Prafleuri (small bridge); on the left, a trail leads to the Prafleuri Hut.

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).

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.

From the hamlet of Les Granges to Van d’en Bas, you’ll make your way up through the Dailley Gorges via daring structures, footbridges, tunnels and vertiginous staircases. The Salanfe river cascades down the steep gorges in a series of terraces. The view is breathtaking. You’ll enjoy numerous vantage points overlooking the Alpine peaks.You’ll cross the magnificent Vallon de Van. In the evening in Salanfe, you’ll already be able to admire the Dents du Midi standing out against the backdrop of the lake

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).

A very beautiful circular walk, offering magnificent views of the Grande Dent de Morcles, the lakes of Fully and the Mont Blanc massif, before finishing with a panoramic view over the Rhône Valley and the peaks of Valais.

A very varied route for climbing the Cornettes de Bise from Switzerland. The summit, the highest in the region alongside the neighbouring Mont de Grange (2,432 m), offers a superb panorama. The descent through the Combe de la Chaux du Milieu takes place in a stunning, unspoilt setting, and the village of Tanay is enchanting. A long hike with significant elevation gain, which requires a good level of fitness.

A short walk offering a variety of views of the surroundings of Leukerbad. The vantage point is high enough to provide an exceptional view of the Gemmi cliffs. On this route, you can also admire the peaks of the Vallon de Réchy.

The second stage of the route involves crossing two passes, the Louvie and the Prafleuri, both of which were snow-covered.

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

A circular route around Salvan, passing through Le Marecot. Follow the route with the Visorando app

In breathtaking surroundings, you will follow a route leading to five lakes below the Matterhorn (Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Mosjesee and Leisee). In fine weather during the summer, you can swim in the Grünsee and Leisee lakes.

A short but challenging hike leading to the summit of the Grand Chavalard, offering superb views of the Rhône Valley below, the Mont Blanc massif and the 4,000-metre peaks of Valais.

A truly beautiful walk along the French-Swiss border, set in magnificent scenery, between large lakes and mountains, with varied landscapes along the route. The presence of fossilised dinosaur footprints along the path adds an extra element of interest to this walk. Finally, a sublime 360° view, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Grand Combin, awaits us at the summit of the Cheval Blanc.

The second stage involves the ascent of the Gross Bigerhorn, which will really put your legs to the test, followed by the return to the car park. Grade T3–T4 (challenging mountain hike – alpine hike).

First day of the ascent of the Gross Bigerhorn to reach the Bordierhütte mountain refuge. This day is more physically demanding than you might think. Grade T3: a demanding mountain hike.

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)

One of the highest hikes in Europe that requires no mountaineering equipment, the ascent to the Barrhorn crosses and runs alongside a variety of environments and landscapes (forest, mountain pastures, glaciers, torrents, moraines, high-altitude ridges, etc.), offering a truly breathtaking spectacle. The summit, surrounded by other peaks of similar height or even more imposing, offers a breathtaking panorama combining black rock and white glaciers. Suitable only for experienced hikers accustomed to high altitudes.

A pleasant circular walk around Vercorin. Several vantage points overlooking the peaks of the Rhône Valley and the upper reaches of the Val d’Anniviers.

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

A long day leading to Lac d'Emosson via the Col d'Emaney and Col de Barberine. Descent to Lac d'Emosson, then Col de la Gueulaz and the final climb to the Cabane du Vieux Emosson.

Pass through the listed site of dinosaur footprints, then climb up to Cheval Blanc and reach the summit of Buet via the ridges. A difficult alpine route classified as T4 with breathtaking views of the Aiguilles Rouges.

You will return to Almageller Alp via the Almagellerhorn adventure trail, which is marked with ladders, steps and a suspension bridge. The trail returns to the Saas Valley and remains at almost the same altitude until Kreuzboden. From this balcony, you can admire the Mischabel massif and the resort of Saas Fee. Overlooking the Saastal and at the foot of the Fletschorn, you will walk through old pastures. You will pass through several Walser hamlets before arriving in Gspon.

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.

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.

The second stage of this hike starts at the Cabane du Vélan and follows the right bank of the Valsorey torrent.

The Salanfe valley allows you to immerse yourself in the heart of the Dents du Midi massif. Whilst the ascent to Lac de Salanfe is a walk accessible to all, its extension to the Col de Susanfe is more alpine in character but well-marked and signposted, offering more sweeping views. The suggested descent, which is less frequented but ultimately easier, offers a variety of views over the Salanfe Lake basin as it winds its way round it.

Visible from afar thanks to the light colour of their rock (hence their name), the Dents Blanches form one of the most interesting mountain ranges in the Valaisan Chablais and offer a wild and beautiful setting. This challenging hike, which includes some tricky sections, takes you to the highest point in the west of this range, from where you can enjoy a superb panorama.

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.

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.

This hike to the A Neuve mountain hut, perched on a promontory at an altitude of 2,735 metres, offers splendid views of Mont Dolent, the Tour Noir and their surrounding glaciers, as well as the Val Ferret.

A big day with spectacular scenery. The Pas d'Encel pass is a little tricky to navigate to reach the foot of Mont Ruan. Reach Haute Cime, the highest point of the Dents du Midi at 3,257 metres, via the Col de Susanfe, then descend to the Auberge de Salanfe on the edge of the lake.

Between two ascents of the surrounding peaks, or when these are shrouded in clouds or under snow, a short, easy walk across the plain and along the boundary between vineyards and forest, exploring the rich heritage of the old village of Vionnaz.

First stage of the trek linking the village of Fionay to Saas Fee. A pleasant stage to reach the Cabane de Louvie, built on the edge of the lake of the same name.

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.

The usual route to the Susanfe hut from Campéry starts in the forest before emerging onto the Bonavau mountain pasture. Below the imposing peak of the same name, the trail climbs up a path with a few equipped sections and crosses the Pas d'Encel. The final ascent of the Susanfe valley takes place in a high mountain setting.

Today's high mountain stage requires the use of crampons to cross the Arolla glacier. This long stage requires an early start.

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

Far from the hustle and bustle of Zermatt and away from the tourists, this flat walk allows you to discover the village and its recreational lake. Numerous granaries can be seen along this loop