The landscapes of Verbier and Val de Bagnes are made sublime by the presence of water. Spectacular waterfalls, lakes reflecting clouds and mountains, canals that are testimony to our Valaisan culture, turbulent rivers…
Our region is full of idyllic landscapes to admire during a refreshing hike.
Special offer for this summer 2020
If you are planning to find your perfect summer base camp in Verbier, Here are some ideas for waterfront walks for your next stay in our mountains. Find your home away from home.
THE BISSES
The bisse is a small man-made irrigation canal, to supply water crops. These bisses often come from one stream and end in another. These are historical witnesses forming part of the Valais landscape.
The Bisse des Ravines (in Bruson)
The Bisse des Ravines is one of the nice hikes that is very easy to do with the family and even with small children of walking age (not appropriate for strollers). On this walk along the Bisse, you will discover the different techniques used for the construction of these ancient irrigation channels. This walk is mostly in the forest.
The return trip allows you to discover the barns typical to the village of Bruson.
This bisse has water in it from mid-May to mid-October.
This year, the Palp Festival is offering the ROULI BOULI Ball Trail: an original walk from Bruson to Le Châble. Arm yourself with a wooden ball (available from the Châble tourist office, the grocery shop or the various bistros in Bruson) and discover the route through some crazy mechanisms and constructions, with a presentation of the different types of wood found in the Val de Bagnes. A real adventure awaits you!
The Corbassière Bisse (Haut Val de Bagnes)
This mountain hike is reserved for experienced hikers. You will leave Fionnay towards the FXB Panossière hut. Halfway you will meet the bisse which descends to the side of the mountain and you will follow to a moraine below the hut. This watercourse is melodious: it sings, chatters and hums through spectacular alpine landscape.
The Bisse du Levron (above Verbier)
This bisse located above Verbier offers a real family outing without difficulty. It is possible to do a loop by taking the lifts and return to Verbier on foot, or to cover only a small part of the bisse. You will find at mid-course, through the pastures, some mountain restaurants. This bisse offers an unobstructed view of the Combins and Trient mountains.
RIVER
La Dranse
Reach the Mauvoisin dam by following the river Dranse. From Fionnay, you will cross forests, meadows, streams, scree, waterfalls, old historic bridges, the small village of Bonatchiesse with its rock garden (Geopark) reflecting the mineral heritage of the region, etc. By this route, you will penetrate the nature reserve of Haut Val de Bagnes, the second largest nature reserve in Switzerland. Ibex, chamois and marmots are never far away.
LAKE
The Val de Bagnes is full of small mountain lakes that are easily accessible.
Lac des Vaux
Above Verbier, you can easily access Lake Vaux by taking the ski lifts to Ruinettes, Fontanet or La Chaux. A very short hike will take you to the lake. To make a loop, you can reach Verbier by the Col des Mines and then descend to Verbier.
Lac de Louvie
Climb to Lake Louvie and discover an emerald green lake! The hike only covers 800m of altitude but it is quite intense because the path is quite steep. On the climb you will be accompanied by ibex, chamois and marmots. If you are lucky you may even see the bearded vulture. The landscape is grandiose, worthy of the most beautiful postcards.
Mauvoisin Lake (dam) / Lac de Tsofeiret
The hike begins with a didactic trail that traces the history and construction of the dam.
On the wall of the edifice, a photographic exhibition (in summer) crowns the dam.
The walk joins the stables of Giétro then the beautiful lakes of Tsofeiret before reaching the hut of Chanrion where there is a restaurant. The return to Mauvoisin is made by the left bank of the lake and ends with tunnels to cross.
Discover here this track by bike or e-bike.
Tour of the Lakes
Near the Brunet hut, you can do a Tour of the Lakes. It’s a high altitude tour, reserved for the excellent hikers. You will discover, the Golis (the dialect word for lake) of Aget, Otanes, Rogneux and many others. Each one has a very different color.
BALADE LUDIQUE ET CULTURELLE
Du côté de la Tzoumaz découvrez les sentiers ludiques et didactiques autour de la forêt et de la rivière avec ses 3 activités: le sentier des sens, la maison de la forêt et le défi de la rivière. Vous pourez vous reconnectez à la nature et passer un moment privilégié avec vos amis ou famille, Le défi de la rivière est une bonne idée pour se rafraichir: elle est très amusante avec ses jeux et ses parcours d'agilité pour réveiller les sens des aventuriers et pour vivifier le corps et l'esprit au contact de l'eau.
Plus de détails sur www.latzoumaz.ch
Here is a nice selection of walks to do according to your desires. This selection of hikes have different levels and difficulties. For more information visit the Tourist Office or go to their site.
You want to visit the Verbier region and are looking for holiday accommodation so you can discover all these hikes? Don’t hesitate to ask the advice of Besson Real Estate.
Enjoy your Hikes!