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Vernayaz walks
Vernayaz – Le Trétien via the Route des Diligences
Visorando Member
5.90 mi
+2,936 ft
-981 ft
5h 15
Moderate
Departure from Vernayaz (Valais)
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.
Vernayaz Waterfalls Circular Path
11.65 mi
+5,085 ft
-5,072 ft
9h 45
Very difficult
Departure from Vernayaz (Valais)
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.
A circular walk from Van d’en Bas to Sex des Granges and Lake Salanfe
9.98 mi
+5,784 ft
-5,758 ft
9h 35
Very difficult
Departure from Salvan (Valais)
Le Sex des Granges (2,082 m) is the first peak on the ridges surrounding Lake Salanfe. This circular walk takes you along the ridges, offering superb views, as well as a stroll along the lakeshore.
Salvan - Auberge de Salanfe
5.21 mi
+3,504 ft
-646 ft
5h 25
Difficult
Departure from Salvan (Valais)
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
Tour of the Dents du Midi and Petits Perrons
47.88 mi
+21,716 ft
-21,296 ft
7 days
Difficult
Departure from Salvan (Valais)
Starting in Salvan and finishing in Les Marécottes (VS, Switzerland), this hike is almost circular. The route combines several circuits. In the Val de Trient, you’ll discover the Dailley Gorges and the Vallon de Van.You will complete the entire Tour des Dents du Midi and enjoy this magnificent mountain range as well as the Sauflaz Gorges.You’ll make a short detour onto the Tour des Dents Blanches, which you can admire from the Barme plateau.
Circular Marecot from Salvan
2.15 mi
+623 ft
-604 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from Salvan (Valais)
A circular route around Salvan, passing through Le Marecot.
Follow the route with the Visorando app
Le Luisin from Van d'en Haut
9.79 mi
+6,499 ft
-6,480 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Salvan (Valais)
Less frequented than the Haute Cime opposite, the Luisin is a superb viewpoint and a lovely hiking destination in a high mountain setting. This long and demanding hike undoubtedly offers the easiest route to this beautiful summit.
N.B. The elevation gain shown is overestimated: allow for around 1,400 m.
Le Luisin from La Creusaz
3.80 mi
+3,051 ft
-3,041 ft
4h 25
Difficult
Departure from Salvan (Valais)
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.
Auberge de Salanfe - Mex
5.95 mi
+1,952 ft
-4,180 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Evionnaz (Valais)
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.
Auberge de Salanfe - Emosson Dam
9.17 mi
+5,502 ft
-4,977 ft
9h 00
Difficult
Departure from Evionnaz (Valais)
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.
Auberge de Salanfe - Cabane du Vieux Emosson
10.52 mi
+6,050 ft
-4,813 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Evionnaz (Valais)
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.
Auberge de Salanfe - Les Marécottes
6.08 mi
+2,608 ft
-5,089 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Evionnaz (Valais)
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.
Mex - Chindonne
7.95 mi
+3,996 ft
-2,421 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from Mex (Valais)
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 Pierre Avoi from the Col des Planches
12.93 mi
+4,957 ft
-4,948 ft
10h 15
Difficult
Departure from Vollèges (Valais)
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.
Col des Planches - La Tzoumaz
8.55 mi
+3,048 ft
-2,720 ft
6h 35
Difficult
Departure from Vollèges (Valais)
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.
From Col des Planches to Grimentz via the bisses trail
62.19 mi
+17,077 ft
-16,499 ft
6 days
Difficult
Departure from Vollèges (Valais)
The word ‘bisse’ is used in Valais to refer to an irrigation channel carrying water from the mountains to farmland. They may be buried underground, carved into the rock or suspended from cliffs. Some bisses date back over 500 years and their channels have deteriorated or even ceased to exist following rockfalls. Water is therefore not available everywhere, despite efforts to restore this precious heritage.Over the course of six days, you will explore these trails steeped in history.
Tête Noire
1.88 mi
+1,404 ft
-1,434 ft
2h 05
Moderate
Departure from Valais
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.
Grand Chavalard Circuit starting from L’Erié
7.34 mi
+2,940 ft
-2,943 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Fully (Valais)
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.
The Grand Chavalard circular walk starting from Lérié and via the Fully Lakes
10.57 mi
+5,817 ft
-5,827 ft
9h 55
Very difficult
Departure from Fully (Valais)
A circular route around the Grand Chavalard, passing by the Fully Lakes and the Col de Fenestral. The ascent of the Grand Chavalard itself is optional (a return leg), but it is, of course, from the summit that the view is best!
7th stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB)
8.88 mi
+3,461 ft
-4,012 ft
7h 05
Moderate
Departure from Valais
7th stage of the TMB: from Forclaz pass to Montroc
Along the Bisse du Trient
3.99 mi
+1,175 ft
-1,191 ft
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).
Trient to Tré-le-Champ - Tour Monte Blanc
Association / Club / Walk leader8.54 mi
+3,760 ft
-3,392 ft
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.
Loop between the lakes of Emosson and Salanfe.
17.42 mi
+9,701 ft
-9,688 ft
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.
Emosson Dam - Auberge de Salanfe
8.25 mi
+4,167 ft
-4,711 ft
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.
Ascending journey to the heights of Vallorcine
5.59 mi
+961 ft
-2,986 ft
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
Tête de Chalin
7.86 mi
+3,757 ft
-3,737 ft
6h 55
Difficult
Departure from Monthey (Valais)
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.
Chindonne - Refuge d'Antème
7.64 mi
+3,061 ft
-1,677 ft
6h 10
Difficult
Departure from Monthey (Valais)
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.
The Emosson lakes in the footsteps of the dinosaurs
14.03 mi
+5,886 ft
-5,869 ft
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.
Champex-Lac to Trient -Tour Mont Blanc
8.96 mi
+2,953 ft
-3,461 ft
6h 40
Difficult
Departure from Orsières (Valais)
This 8th stage of the Tour Mont Blanc (TMB) offers two options, the tough one via Fenetre D'Arpette and the somewhat easier option over Porte à l'Ô. Here's the second version, past Plan de L' au, over Alpage de Bovine and Porte à l'Ô, past the Col de la Forclaz to drop down to Trient. 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.