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.

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 will climb up the Dailley Gorge via daring constructions, footbridges, galleries and vertiginous stairways. The Salanfe river rushes down the steep gorges in several stages. The view is breathtaking. You will enjoy numerous views of the Alpine peaks. You will cross the magnificent Vallon de Van. In the evening in Salanfe, you can already admire the Dents du Midi rising behind the lake

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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

An extremely easy walk on a very gentle slope. Take the ski lifts from Verbier to Ruinettes (or walk up), and you can continue to Mont-Fort by cable car. At La Chaux, the restaurant “Le Dahu”, with sun loungers and occasional entertainment (such as concerts), awaits you.

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)

A short but fascinating route. It climbs steadily, avoiding the hairpin bends of the white track used by 4x4s. Magnificent views of the Dent Blanche and the neighbouring peaks. The traditional Mayens are an absolute must-see, as is the very well-preserved centre of the village of La Forclaz. The descent through the larch trees is pleasant. Can be extended via the Tsalè refreshment hut – Total: 6 km, 480 m

A small, turquoise-blue lake, surrounded by Swiss stone pines and venerable larch trees – this is the destination of your hike. With views of the peaks as a bonus. You’ll pass through hamlets with magnificent wooden chalets featuring slate roofs. A cosy Valais-style café and restaurant awaits you beside the lake. This route is short, but you’ll get a good workout given the elevation gain.

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.

A very beautiful route through the Veysonnaz and Nendaz region. The route consists entirely of forest tracks. The hike begins at the Veysonnaz resort, heading into the Ojentze valley and passing through La Giettaz. The next stop is Planchouet, with its two excellent restaurants. The walk then passes through La Planie and along the Tracouet road, which winds its way through the forest to the top of the Trancouet cable car (Nendaz resort). The return route takes you via Prarion and its larch trees, some of which are several hundred years old (600 years). The walk also passes through Haute-Nendaz, Pracondu, Sofleu, Sarclenze, the Scie bridge, La Giettaz and Veysonnaz.

Pierre Avoi is the local dialect term for ‘rock worth seeing’: that certainly makes you want to go there! It is an isolated rocky peak on the Verbier ridge, making it an iconic summit. The route suggested here, starting from the Col des Planches, is a slightly less busy alternative to the one from Verbier or Savoleyres.

Final descent to Zermatt. Once again, the hike can be shortened at Furi by taking the Matterhorn Express to Zermatt. The hike remains within the Zermatt ski area.

This route, starting from Vernayaz, takes in some of the most iconic sites from the early days of tourism in Valais: the Route des Diligences, the Dailley Gorges and the Pissevache Waterfall. To complete a circular route, take a lovely balcony path beneath the Dent du Salentin. This allows you to enjoy the spectacular route through the Dailley Gorges as part of a day’s walk, rather than just a return trip from the car park.

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.

This beautiful route follows part of the “Route des Diligences”, which, in themid-19th century, alongside the arrival of the railway, led to the boom in tourism in the Trient Valley. The hike also offers the chance to admire the historic chalets in the villages of Les Granges, Les Marécottes and Le Trétien.Accessible by public transport.

A route following part of the ‘Sun Trail’ on the southern face of the Bernese Alps, offering panoramic views over the Rhône Valley. The hike takes in typical Valais villages with a rich architectural heritage, such as Eggerberg, Ausserberg, St. German and Raron. In several places, the route runs alongside the railway line between Brig and Bern via the Lötschberg Tunnel, offering an opportunity to appreciate the technical feats involved in its construction at the start of the20th century. Due to its south-facing aspect and relatively low altitude, this hike is best enjoyed in spring or autumn.

This pleasant winter hike partly follows the Aletschpromenade. Along this route, you will notice some beautiful old Valais houses. This route also offers several views of the Valais peaks over 4,000 metres.

A beautiful panoramic hike linking the resorts of Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp. Along the route, there are numerous vantage points offering views of the Valais peaks over 4,000 metres, including the Weissmies, the Mischabel massif, the Monte Rosa massif, the Matterhorn and the Weisshorn. It is possible to ascend to the Eggishorn by cable car.

A superb panoramic hike offering views of the Aletsch Glacier to the north and, to the south, of numerous peaks over 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn and the Monte Rosa massif.

Less frequented than the Haute Cime opposite, the Luisin is a superb viewpoint and a lovely hiking destination in a high mountain setting. This hike offers an original approach to this beautiful summit, starting from high up in a wild setting.