Hike Dent de NendazAprès un court trajet en télécabine reliant Haute-Nendaz à Tracouet, prenez le sentier qui longe le lac Noir sur la droite. La montée jusqu’à la Dent de Nendaz se fait par un sentier de montagne. Arrivé à 2462 m, à côté de la croix, prenez le temps d’admirer la vue sur le lac et les montagnes environnantes. La suite du parcours se fait en légère descente sur une arête escarpée avant de remonter jusqu’à la Pointe de Balavaux pour rejoindre le col du Basso D’Alou. Une fois au col, empruntez le chemin qui redescend en zigzags en direction de Prarion/ Balavaux. Cette descente technique entre les rhododendrons vous amènera jusqu’à une petite route en terre, au cœur des mélèzes centenaires. Suivez-la jusqu’à l’alpage et la cabane de Balavaux. Depuis la cabane, le retour vers Tracouet se fait en empruntant le chemin en terre.Dent de Nendaz lac tracouet été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Vue aérienne Tracouet été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Randonnée Dent de Nendaz Cleuson été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Dent de Nendaz panorama été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Dent de Nendaz 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Dent de Nendaz panorama 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Mélèzes de Balavaux automne randonnee 2018 (Jean Cingria)Lac_de_Tracouet_Automne_2019 (Elodie Moos)1391.3663330078Tracouet gondolaLocated in the heart of the resort of Nendaz, this lift allows skiers and non-skiers to reach the top of Tracouet in a few minutes, from where they can enjoy an amazing view over the Rhone Valley and the surrounding mountains.
In winter, the Tracouet area offers great skiing for all levels. The snow garden, located by the frozen lake, is the ideal place to enjoy the first experiences on skis.
In summer, the enchanting site of Tracouet with its mysterious Lac Noir is the starting point for a number of walks. Whether it's the panoramic path, the Balavaux Larch trees or the Dent de Nendaz, there's something for everybody and every level !
The restaurant at the top, which is open at the same time as the gondola, has two spacious and sunny terraces where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful views.
* Capacity : 2'400 passengers/hour
* Built in 1992
* Latest upgrade 2011Gare d'arrivée télécabine Tracouet hiver 2023 (Etienne Bornet)Télécabine de Tracouet hiver 2023 (Etienne Bornet)Télécabine de Tracouet panorama hiver 2023 (Etienne Bornet)Télécabine de Tracouet hiver 2023 (Etienne Bornet)Télécabine de Tracouet gare arrivée hiver 2023 (Etienne Bornet)Télécabine de Tracouet automne sommet 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Télécabine Tracouet été 2020 (Raphaël Surmont)Télécabine de Tracouet été panorama 2016 (Jean Cingria)Télécabine de Tracouet été station avale 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)télécabine_Tracouet_été_2020 (Raphaël Surmont)Télécabine de Tracouet été Sentier panoramique 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Télécabine de Tracouet été station avale 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Télécabine de Tracouet été station avale 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)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.25-26_Tracouet_Carte hiver-FR-ENG-DE (25-26_Tracouet_Carte hiver-FR-ENG-DE)Restaurant de Tracouet hiver Télécabine de Tracouet gare arrivée hiver 2023 (Etienne Bornet)Télécabine de Tracouet gare arrivée hiver 2023 (Etienne Bornet)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 Combatseline hiver vue 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant_Tracouet_terrasse_été_2016 (Etienne Bornet)Restaurant_Tracouet_place_jeu_été_2019 (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)2109.748046875The Balavaux larch treesBalavaux is a wooded pasture which is home to about a hundred cows throughout summer. This mountain pasture has about 250 larches, some of which have reached the venerable age of 1000 years.
WHY IS IT WORTH THE DETOUR ?
These multi-century-old trees convey strength and serenity. Among them is even the most imposing in Europe, nicknamed "the King of Balavaux", which has a circumference of 11.8 m. It is surrounded by a footbridge to protect its roots from the trampling of hikers and cattle.
ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS
The best season to recharge one's batteries amidst the Balavaux larch trees is undoubtedly autumn. Indeed, this conifer, before losing all its needles in winter, glows with a thousand shades of gold and orange in October.Mélèzes Balavaux Automne Balade Jeunes 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Mélèzes Balavaux Télésiège Automne 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Mélèzes Balavaux Automne Jeunes 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Mélèzes de Balavaux automne chemin 2018 (Jean Cingria)Mélèzes de Balavaux automne randonnee 2018 (Jean Cingria)2047.9300537109Balavaux Cabin RestaurantAt barely 30 minutes on foot or 5 minutes on skis from Tracouet, reach the Balavaux cabin. Surrounded by some of the oldest larch trees in Europe, the restaurant offers dishes from the region, all concocted with local produce. Cheese bakes, fondues and many other traditional local dishes await you.
Feel free to enjoy your meal on the large sun-drenched terrace! Relaxation guaranteed!Cabane de Balavaux intérieur 2022 (Sarah Moussaknaoui)Cabane Balavaux été 2022 (Sarah Moussaknaoui)Cabane de Balavaux terrasse été 2022 (Sarah Moussaknaoui)Cabane_de_Balavaux_été_2019 (Etienne Bornet)Restaurant_Cabane_Balavaux_hiver_extérieur_2017 (Etienne Bornet)Restaurant Cabane Balavaux hiver vue 2018 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)1821.6676025391Restaurant Chalet des AlpesThe Chalet des Alpes, an alpine style restaurant, is located in Prarion, not far from the legendary hundred-year-old larch trees. The sunny terrace charms visitors with its breathtaking panoramic view over the Alps in both summer and winter.
From a culinary point of view, there is nothing better than savouring local dishes after a morning of skiing or hiking in the Balavaux region.25-26_CDA_carte des mets hiver -FR (25-26_CDA_carte des mets hiver -FR)Restaurant Chalet des Alpes Assiette Valaisanne 2020 (Raphaël Surmont)Restaurant Chalet des Alpes Assiette Valaisanne 2020 (Raphaël Surmont)Restaurant Chalet Des Alpes extérieur hiver 2017 (Chalet des Alpes)Restaurant_Chalet_des_Alpes_été_2012 (Chalet des Alpes)Restaurant_Chalet_des_Alpes_hiver_2013 (Chalet des Alpes)Restaurant_Chalet_des_Alpes_hiver_2013 (Chalet des Alpes)2193.04516601562192.83935546882185.29785156252179.87426757812173.61816406252174.71459960942175.46582031252182.07519531252186.14892578122230.5332031252241.79980468752266.56347656252275.84912109382305.53588867192309.96606445312372.75146484382402.81689453122429.50708007812460.31494140622452.71582031252438.88427734382439.2031252435.22973632812430.49560546882424.12597656252422.66333007812429.410156252427.32983398442427.62792968752414.91870117192415.41723632812423.03027343752426.81372070312442.83471679692417.10180664062408.26147460942395.57788085942381.07373046882379.69848632812373.28686523442364.73681640622358.96606445312337.52490234382335.33154296882318.74682617192305.01708984382294.1152343752281.31347656252272.80200195312256.85961914062240.8847656252228.04907226562215.02783203122167.29150390622128.19213867192084.63647460942072.36425781252066.95849609382058.65087890622054.12084960942046.59057617192056.09887695312058.03906252063.62646484382073.27441406252086.08471679692099.50756835942154.46948242192160.59228515622170.38745117192173.64624023442192.98583984382192.8781738281