Nendaz Trekking day 3 | Long trekLongez le bord du lac de Cleuson à l’eau turquoise (2'186 mètres), traversez le barrage et descendez en direction de Siviez par un petit chemin pédestre en forêt.
Arrivés sur les hauteurs de Siviez, montez en direction du Basso d’Alou et rejoignez Tracouet en suivant la crête jusqu’à la fameuse Dent de Nendaz (2'463 mètres). Depuis le sommet, profitez d’un panorama sur le lac Noir, les Alpes et la plaine du Rhône. À Tracouet (2'200 mètres), vous avez la possibilité de faire une halte au restaurant avant de descendre jusqu’à l’alpage de Balavaux où le fromage à raclette est fabriqué en été. La cabane de Balavaux se trouve à côté de la fromagerie, à 2’038 mètres d’altitude.
Les travaux de construction de la cabane ont débuté en 1973 et ont été effectués en majeure partie par des bénévoles. Appartenant au Ski Club d’Isérables, elle offre aujourd’hui un confort avec ses douches, sa cuisine ainsi que sa terrasses panoramique au cœur des plus grands et vieux mélèzes d’Europe.
Attention ! La crête reliant le Basso d’Alou à la Dent de Nendaz comporte des passages plus techniques, dont un spécialement équipé de marches métalliques. Elle est déconseillée aux personnes non entraînées. Dans ce cas, il existe une alternative en rejoignant l’alpage de Balavaux directement depuis le Basso d’Alou.Randonnée Lac de Cleuson hauteur été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_terrasse_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Randonnée Lac de Cleuson panorama été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_extérieur_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane_St-Laurent_extérieur_été_2021 (Etienne Bornet)Dent de Nendaz automne 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Trail grand parcours barrage cleuson 2019 (Suisse Tourisme - André Meier)Dent de Nendaz 2019 (Etienne Bornet)Pointe de Balavaux Etienne Bornet 2019 (Etienne Bornet)Restaurant cabane Balavaux été vue 2019 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane de Balavaux terrasse 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)2162.0810546875Cleuson DamBuilt between 1947 and 1950 and first commissioned in 1950 for hydroelectric purposes, the Cleuson dam was decided and built in an economic context of war. It is a dam with reinforced buttresses, the federal authorities having then required that the building be massive and resistant to bombardments.
Located at al altitude of 2’187m, it holds about 20 million m3 of water coming from the entire valley. Its imposing wall, 420m long and 87m high, stands in the middle of a breathtaking alpine landscape . This site bears witness to a perfect harmony between nature and human activity. What a sight to behold !
WHY IS IT WORTH THE DETOUR ?
In addition to its impressive wall and the magnificent landscape that surrounds it, a walk along the Cleuson dam lake unveils loads of interesting information. Indeed, if you are interested in this subject, in addition to the information posts located in the surroundings, guided visits of the dam wall are also proposed, in order to discover it from the inside. Not to be missed !
ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS
Have your camera or Smartphone ready to capture the turquoise blue water. In fact, the water of the lake is tinted with this exceptional colour, known as « bleu de Cleuson » which is due to the refraction of light on the sit. A ‘must’ for photo enthusiasts !Bisse de Chervé Cleuson automne 2021 (Suisse Tourisme - Dominik Baur)Randonnée barrage de Cleuson automne 2021 (Suisse Tourisme - Dominik Baur)Barrage Cleuson VTT Route Été 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Barrage Cleuson VTT Été 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Barrage Cleuson (Maude Gaudin)Barrage Cleuson (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Barrage Cleuson (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2456.4875488281Dent de NendazThe Dent de Nendaz is a relatively easy summit to reach in summer. From Tracouet, which can be reached by gondola, a marked mountain path (white-red-white) leads you to the top in less than an hour.
You then have the satisfaction of reaching a true summit! Your efforts are rewarded by the incredible panoramic view, between Tracouet and its Lac Noir right at your feet and the whole valley below.
The Dent de Nendaz can be a hiking goal in itself or a first leg before, for example, following high ridges towards the Plan du Fou, descending through the hundred-year-old larch trees of Balavaux or continuing on to Siviez.Dent de Nendaz été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Dent de Nendaz 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Dent de Nendaz panorama été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Dent de Nendaz 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2173.4167480469Tracouet LakePerched at 2'200 metres above sea level, the Tracouet Lake also known as the « Lac Noir (Black Lake) » due to the dark colour of the water. It serves as a mirror to the beautiful Dent de Nendaz throughout the summer and, in winter, it freezes and offers a wonderful flat area to host the snow garden.
WHY IS IT WORTH THE DETOUR ?
The Tracouet Lake has a unique ecosystem. Home to a large population of amphibians and exceptional flora, it has been listed on the Federal Inventory of Amphibian Breeding Sites of National Importance since 2001. In 2020, it was classified as a « protected natural site » by the Canton of Valais. You can easily observe red frogs or alpine newts !
ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS
The particular ecosystem and the beauty of the lake are not the only assets of this place. Indeed, you can discover other interesting sights in the surrounding area, such as the Dent de Nendaz, whose summit offers an exceptional viewpoint without forgetting the legendary larch trees of Balavaux of which some are the largest in Europe.Vue aérienne Tracouet été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Lac de Tracouet panorama été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Lac de tracouet été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Lac_de_Tracouet_automne_2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Lac_de_Tracouet_Famille_Ete_2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2048.2766113281Balavaux CabinEasily accessible in both summer and winter, on foot from Tracouet, by car from Haute-Nendaz or on skis, the Balavaux Cabin can accommodate up to 20 people in four dormitories.
Enjoy a range of different dishes in a warm atmosphere and enjoy the stunning terrace with its panoramic view.Cabane de Balavaux intérieur 2022 (Sarah Moussaknaoui)Cabane Balavaux été 2022 (Sarah Moussaknaoui)Cabane de Balavaux terrasse été 2022 (Sarah Moussaknaoui)Cabane Balavaux Intérieur Été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane Balavaux Extérieur Été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane Balavaux Intérieur Été 2021 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane Balavaux Extérieur Hiver 2018 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Piste de Prarion Balavaux 2017 (Etienne Bornet)2195.4763183594Restaurant at TracouetSituated at 2'200 metres above sea level, at the arrival of the gondola and at the departure point of a number of hiking routes, the Tracouet restaurant offers visitors a magnificent view of the Rhone Valley and the Alps. Upstairs, you can enjoy a fine dining experience, such as the legendary entrecôte Café de Paris.
Other local dishes from Valais also await you here. For a quick but tasty stopover, take advantage of its self-service area which offers a choice of quick lunches and snacks, including a daily menu.
On sunny days, its vast terrace promises you a relaxing break in the sunshine. Children can also burn off energy in the play area.Restaurant de Tracouet hiver Restaurant de Tracouet hiver Télécabine de Tracouet gare arrivée hiver 2023 (Etienne Bornet)Terrasse restaurant Tracouet hiver 2023 (Etienne Bornet)Restaurant_Tracouet_terrasse_hiver_2016 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant_Tracouet_terrasse_hiver_2016 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant Combatseline hiver vue 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant Combatseline hiver vue 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant_Tracouet_terrasse_été_2016 (Etienne Bornet)Restaurant_Tracouet_place_jeu_été_2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)1979.4389648438The Ouché picnic areaThe Ouché picnic place is equipped with a table and benches. Located at about forty minutes on foot from Siviez, it's the perfect place to stop for a break on the way up to the Cleuson dam or up to the Tortin mountain pastures.Gouille d'Ouché_Florian Bouvet-Fournier_2020 (Florian Bouvet Fournier)Place_pique-nique_Ouché_automne_2020 (Jean Cingria)Place_pique-nique_Ouché_été_2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2487.75122070312481.68798828122469.45434570312463.22314453122472.62646484382429.82104492192435.72021484382412.46118164062406.75537109382416.62646484382400.93676757812384.61645507812368.83740234382353.80639648442326.8769531252319.22509765622322.04223632812325.00878906252324.72241210942306.13525390622311.25073242192304.53564453122278.76464843752270.13818359382247.2988281252226.30590820312216.53222656252197.09277343752203.43774414062193.93676757812197.69213867192193.29589843752203.89282226562199.70654296882200.81665039062196.73168945312194.53979492192201.06030273442202.71826171882202.99462890622197.92529296882192.32666015622192.74755859382186.66845703122192.47802734382184.636718752162.50634765622166.31396484382152.94042968752158.99755859382132.16113281252132.76416015622122.52832031252119.03662109382122.66552734382119.20678710942096.46752929692081.06420898442064.44213867191986.73315429691966.33581542971952.90734863281946.23168945311943.33483886721939.24963378911934.55798339841909.07678222661900.90759277341888.832031251889.93603515621891.54321289061900.12451171881911.56811523441923.99121093751967.9902343751981.29260253911997.47888183592003.37829589842013.57983398442031.34020996092038.53637695312054.34545898442072.44799804692077.8027343752072.99853515622085.56518554692085.72314453122083.73681640622097.238281252096.36108398442095.85864257812085.58105468752100.3457031252082.51489257812080.20678710942069.1152343752076.73413085942057.38037109382075.16455078122087.035156252103.89306640622125.58862304692164.93530273442187.83764648442200.21435546882222.81469726562244.82177734382275.31616210942295.480468752314.33837890622325.23950195312339.36499023442349.46459960942359.57470703122363.87670898442373.14526367192379.51196289062381.26440429692396.636718752408.26220703122416.99853515622442.85375976562424.75830078122421.36303710942415.3417968752414.87548828122427.33105468752427.35327148442429.42407226562422.71044921882423.50854492192429.97973632812442.20727539062438.91381835942452.28564453122459.22387695312450.27905273442436.20092773442429.47534179692381.09887695312348.17431640622342.910156252331.27001953122312.73510742192309.01513671882305.5917968752276.1093752262.40747070312241.82006835942231.52856445312216.69555664062212.52368164062211.93823242192211.74877929692186.27587890622182.13623046882175.51123046882174.75927734382173.67114257812170.70141601562169.35961914062161.7949218752145.84228515622115.45849609382107.42675781252104.68872070312103.80444335942088.8847656252088.37792968752086.54077148442071.68505859382061.05786132812057.86669921882055.7163085938