Vercorin - Grimentz

Most of this hike follows the Chemin des Bisses. On maps, particularly OpenStreetMap, it is marked "Chemin des Bisses N°58". At each major junction, you will find signposts with the number 58 on a green background. View this image

(S) From the Hostellerie d'Orzival, go up the cul-de-sac to the main street.

(1) Turn left onto the road and follow the signs to the Hôtel de la Brentaz. Take Rue de l'Église for about 30 metres. You will come to a Y-junction.

(2) Turn right onto Rue des Lagettes. This street quickly leaves the village and becomes a small path that descends quite steeply at times and eventually crosses the road to Vercorin.

(3) Cross the road; the path to the bisses is just opposite. This is where the Bisse des Sarrasins trail begins. Built over 500 years ago, this bisse was restored in the early 2000s. The numerous footbridges built into the rock face may be a thrill for some. At a narrow passage under the rock, you even have to take off your backpack and crawl under the rock!

Walk carefully along this trail and admire the remains of the bisse in the rocks of Creux de Varnec, the village of Fang and Navisence at the bottom of the valley. You will reach a crossroads as you approach the hamlet of Pinsec.

(4) Take the path up to the right. After a short climb through the forest, the trail descends towards the bisse.

(5) Follow the bisse towards the bisse's water intake. This is the only place where the path is accompanied by a water channel.

(6) Leave the path that continues to the Pinsec torrent (water intake point for the bisse), turn right and begin the steep climb up the switchbacks towards the hamlet of Pinsec.

(7) In Pinsec, pass the first chalets and take a path that branches off to the left, heading south. Join a track and continue to a junction with a road. (Signpost for Grand Bisse)

(8) Reach the first chalets of Les Frasses and cross a small road.

(9) The trail continues south for about 400 metres until you reach a crossroads. (Signpost for Grand Bisse de Saint-Jean)

(10) Follow the Mayoux torrent on its left bank until you reach a bridge.

(11) Cross the Mayoux torrent and continue towards Saint-Jean against the current and following the sound of the bisse.

(12) At the entrance to Saint Jean, pass a lodge, then follow the signs for the bisse trail. The trail ends on the road to Grimentz.

(13) Cross the road and take the farm track on the left down to the Gougra torrent on its left bank until you reach a small bridge.

(14) Cross to the right bank of the Gougra, and the steep path climbs up alongside the torrent to another bridge.

(15) Heading north, you will reach the first houses of Grimentz and then the Hôtel des Mélèzes

(16) From this hotel, a path leads to the main road in Grimentz, where you can return to the cable car station (E).

- Water points in Pinsec and Saint-Jean.
- Accommodation available in Grimentz (several hotels).
- Public transport: Post bus near the Coop, about 100 metres from the cable car station.