Nendaz Trekking day 2Partez de la cabane en direction des Gouilles d’Essertze. Arrivés aux gouilles, suivez le sentier sur votre gauche qui longe ces petits lacs. Le chemin commence à monter progressivement avant d’atteindre la croix qui symbolise le sommet du Mont-Rouge (2’491 mètres). Admirez le magnifique panorama avant de descendre pour rejoindre le restaurant d’altitude Les Chottes (2'209 mètres) où vous avez la possibilité de vous désaltérer. Poursuivez durant 10 minutes jusqu’à l’alpage de la Combyre-Meina où le fameux fromage à raclette est fabriqué dès la mi-juillet.
Au restaurant de Combatseline (2’238 mètres), profitez du paysage qui s’offre à vous. Poursuivez le long du Bisse de Chervé qui constitue un spectaculaire sentier d’altitude avec une vue somptueuse sur le barrage de Cleuson teinté de couleurs turquoises. Soyez prudents, le chemin est parfois étroit. Depuis le pont au fond du lac de Cleuson, après 40 minutes de montée, se trouve la cabane Saint-Laurent dans laquelle vous passerez votre deuxième nuit.
Perché à 2'490 mètres, le refuge Saint-Laurent fut construit en 1968 par des membres du Ski Club Arpettaz (Nendaz). Autrefois lieu de rassemblement des amis du club et d’entrainement d’été pour les jeunes skieurs Nendards, la cabane est aujourd’hui une étape incontournable pour les passionnés de la nature. Elle vous surprendra pour son côté authentique et rustique. L’atmosphère montagnarde qui y règne vous offre une expérience unique et inoubliable. Younes, le gardien, ainsi que son équipe vous réservent un accueil chaleureux.
S’il vous reste du temps et de l’énergie, le lac du Grand Désert (2’642 mètres) se situe à 30 minutes à pied au-dessus de la cabane. Ce dernier se trouve également sur le parcours didactique « Au fil du glacier » inauguré en 2020. Au départ de la cabane Saint-Laurent, il propose une boucle d’environ 03:00 de marche, comporte huit panneaux didactiques et est accessible à tous.Randonnée bisse de Chervé Cleuson été 2022 (Sophie Diaz)Cabane_St-Laurent_extérieur_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Randonnée Lac de Cleuson hauteur été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane St-Laurent petit-déjeuner tartines été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_intérieur_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_dortoirs_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Mont-Rouge chemin 2019 (Elodie Moos)Cabane_St-Laurent_extérieur_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Bisse de Chervé barrage cleuson 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant Combatseline été vue 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé foret 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Cleuson_lac_été_2015 (Etienne Bornet)2197.3559570312Cabane d'EssertzeThe Essertze mountain cabin welcomes you from the end of June to mid-September for a drink, a delicious meal made from local products and an overnight stay.
Accessible on foot and by car, it has all the necessary comforts for a stay in the mountains and offers an idyllic setting for an outing of one or more days.Cabane d'Essertze Copyright Elodie Moos 2019 (Elodie Moos)Cabane_Essertze_exterieur_soleil_panorama_été_2019 (Elodie Moos)Cabane d'Essertze extérieur panorama été 2022 (Elodie Moos)Cabane d'Essertze dortoir été 2022 (Elodie Moos)Cabane d'Essertze extérieur petit-déjeuner été 2022 (Elodie Moos)2215.5009765625Restaurant Les ChottesThe restaurant Les Chottes, with its elongated shape, typical of the old alpine cowsheds, has been splendidly renovated. Its name - Les Chottes - means, in fact, cowshed in local dialect.
It has two terraces, one overlooking the Bernese Alps and the other, more sheltered and intimate, on the upper side.
In winter, the indoor seating area is served at the table and a self-service area is available on the terrace. The terrace is accessed via an igloo tunnel, which is very popular with children, both young and not so young... As for the restaurant itself, it can be reached on skis, snowshoes or on foot.
In summer, guests are served at the table throughout the establishment. It is a popular stopover for walkers, following the ancient bisse de Chervé, an hour walk from the Mayens gondola or the Combatseline chairlift.
The chef has various surprises in store for his guests. We won't reveal everything here, but if you fancy it, bring a swim suit and a towel to enjoy the jacuzzi at 2,200 metres above sea level! (Bookings recommended)
An attractive menu, a warm welcome, sometimes to the sound of cow bells, a large wood fire in the centre of the restaurant, everything is here to make your visit a pleasant one.Chottes_alpage_vaches_été_2015 (Veysonnaz_Tourisme)Restaurant les Chottes_int_cheminée (Veysonnaz_Tourisme)Restaurant Les Chottes_ext_hiver_panorama Nendaz (Veysonnaz_Tourisme)2238.86328125Restaurant de CombatselineA 10-minute chairlift ride from Siviez takes you to the Combatseline restaurant, nestled in the heart of a stunning setting. In a beautiful, typically Valaisan setting, the restaurant with its panoramic terrace is renowned for its traditional dishes. Fondue, plateau of cold hearts and cheeses from the Valais or a toasted cheese bake, the choice is yours !
Every lunchtime, the chef also offers a reasonably priced dish of the day. Children are not left out either. With the Cheesy menu, a half portion of the dish of the day, they are sure to enjoy their lunch.Télésiège de Combatseline été restaurant 2015 (Yasmine Gaudin)Restaurant Combatseline été vue 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Combatseline carte été 2026 (Combatseline carte été 2026)Wildmenü Herbst 2026 (Restaurant Combatseline)Restaurant Combatseline terrasse hiver 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant Combatseline extérieur hiver 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2242.1823730469Bisse de ChervéBuilt in 1862, the Bisse de Chervé is the highest and most alpine of the bisses in the region. It takes its source at 2,370 metres above sea level and runs at an altitude of more than 2,200 metres throughout its entire length, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding forests, the Rhone Valley and the turquoise waters of the Cleuson Dam lake.
Although the water no longer flows there, some evidence still bears witness to the titanic work carried out to dig this channel linking Cleuson to the mountain pastures of Thyon, the construction of which was intended to allow irrigation of these pastures. Some elders say that its use only lasted a few years, while others say that the water never flowed over the entire route... We'll never know the full story !
In any case, despite the fact that the Bisse de Chervé has been abandoned for many years, it is still possible to follow it thanks to its well-maintained hiking trail. What luck !
A BISSE, WHAT IS IT ?
The bisses were originally irrigation channels that diverted water from the rivers to water the farm land crops growing on the mountain slopes. They are true historical relics and bear witness to the Valaisans' relentless fight against drought. It is their construction that makes them so special. Indeed, these channels had to adapt to the different terrain and environments encountered along the way, giving rise to impressive workmanship, especially when we imagine what the means of construction were at the time. The bisses of our region take their source from the Printse, a river that flows along our valley. Of the eight bisses located in Nendaz, six still have water flowing within their banks and are still carrying out their original task of irrigation.Bisse de Chervé Nendaz (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé passerelle bois été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé 2018 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé barrage cleuson 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé foret 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2488.7055664062Saint-Laurent Mountain CabinDuring your walk, stop at the Saint-Laurent mountain cabin to have a drink and/or a tasty snack.
Open from the end of June to the beginning of September, the Saint-Laurent mountain cabin is an excellent stopping point as it is located near the Bisse de Chervé, the Cleuson dam and the Lac du Grand Désert.
The Saint-Laurent mountain cabin is also the ideal starting point for the Lac du Grand Désert, where you can continue on to the foot of the glacier. It is also possible to reach the Val de Bagnes via the Louvie Pass or the Grande Dixence Dam via the Prafleuri Pass.
During the month of September, the cabin is usually open. The gas cooker can be used, running water and wood are available.
From October, the cabin goes into "winter mode". Only the entrance area with the emergency telephone is accessible.Lac de Cleuson panorama été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_petit-déjeuner_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_intérieur_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane St-Laurent petit-déjeuner tartines été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_dortoirs_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_lits_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_extérieur_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_extérieur_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)2640.4084472656Grand Désert LakeAt around 2,600 metres above sea level, at the foot of the Rosablanche, the plain of the Grand Désert stretches out. While following the Printse river from the turquoise lake of Cleuson, the colours of what surrounds you gently change from green to grey. Vegetation becomes scarcer and scarcer, giving way to the natural mineral and rocky setting that characterizes the site of the Grand Désert. In this unique environment extend here and there small mountain lakes of glacial origin which bring a touch of freshness. This is the case of the magnificent Grand Désert lake, accessible via a hiking trail in summer.
WHY IS IT WORTH THE DETOUR ?
It is difficult to imagine vegetation in this mineral environment. It is true that it is becoming rarer. However, if you pay attention, you will observe some spots of colour highlighting the landscape: it is indeed the intensity of their hues that allows the plants to grow at such an altitude. It is a beautiful and very interesting site!
ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS
If you are interested in this natural site, there is an educational trail called "Au fil du Glacier" running between the Saint-Laurent mountain cabin and the plain of the Grand Désert. The 18 panels placed along the way show the evolution of the glacier and how it has receded over time and teach you a little more about this special place, about the glacial metamorphosis and its effects on the fauna and flora.Randonnée Lac du Grand Désert pont été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Lac_du_Grand_Désert_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Randonnée Lac du Grand Désert été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Lac du Grand Désert Neige Ete 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Nendaz Trail Grand Désert 2019 (Etienne Bornet)2206.23852539062211.99487304692224.4472656252225.44628906252231.53735351562244.26660156252252.83691406252266.11962890622275.99536132812281.79858398442294.54956054692297.98413085942308.68237304692313.36987304692323.29589843752330.18286132812337.83227539062337.99902343752341.3183593752365.69238281252366.39843752368.77856445312367.52361.35083007812354.37060546882353.54223632812360.79272460942359.38110351562364.42114257812382.667968752399.56982421882402.35888671882427.60571289062445.91577148442461.24755859382477.57299804692483.10107421882487.61816406252486.18188476562487.61816406252464.11254882812421.04516601562402.62988281252399.41162109382391.402343752386.64428710942362.45483398442344.87939453122311.53930664062307.20214843752295.30444335942262.39990234382251.70483398442243.550781252231.51879882812215.45434570312221.31396484382224.65380859382227.58325195312224.13305664062229.09472656252229.12426757812231.79394531252229.93798828122234.45361328122230.64086914062233.20068359382234.40771484382234.27319335942236.38598632812234.69531252236.21923828122236.96166992192229.17651367192232.24389648442234.27294921882235.77026367192235.20971679692236.48144531252235.36572265622234.2285156252235.11059570312238.84838867192236.79028320312242.22827148442236.83837890622240.8808593752241.79858398442237.50488281252242.41333007812238.77294921882241.39819335942242.91406252241.89526367192243.73266601562242.00659179692244.57666015622244.252242.09936523442240.08691406252244.23999023442238.58740234382243.52978515622244.29858398442243.3066406252235.92529296882240.13232421882248.08032226562243.73461914062243.97094726562248.06176757812248.65014648442244.46826171882246.77124023442251.21313476562246.52856445312254.29174804692253.93115234382248.87231445312262.32128906252253.14111328122260.26391601562256.02832031252261.07348632812262.12231445312262.66943359382262.16357421882262.08471679692264.55932617192267.75073242192274.07470703122277.34521484382281.37548828122275.84082031252290.95532226562303.36474609382302.68530273442297.52587890622311.68676757812315.28686523442315.14819335942323.58886718752316.24511718752322.11230468752320.80151367192323.22167968752328.46435546882328.16430664062330.55541992192337.20141601562333.38598632812340.75659179692332.91870117192346.1621093752345.87475585942351.76123046882352.59863281252353.12573242192345.51733398442353.1425781252350.21777343752343.02197265622367.01977539062366.82690429692362.24829101562343.46386718752338.52172851562323.50463867192322.13354492192319.18530273442324.79345703122335.16528320312354.36474609382360.57836914062368.89208984382383.82592773442397.68334960942403.07031252415.73022460942411.60498046882435.675781252430.09619140622473.99267578122463.90795898442469.94604492192482.80371093752486.16821289062489.6911621094