Whole tour short trekLaissez-vous surprendre par des paysages majestueux, dormez dans des gîtes accueillants, marchez à votre rythme et arrêtez-vous en cours de route pour un petit casse-croûte.
D’une longueur totale d’environ 40 kilomètres, il emprunte des sentiers balisés de cabane en cabane entre Veysonnaz et Nendaz. La durée de marche quotidienne effective (sans les pauses) varie entre 04:30 et 05:00 (estimation moyenne). Ce tour s’adresse au randonneur moyen (peu de difficultés techniques) mais entraîné. Il est agréable, accessible aux familles avec des enfants dès l'âge de huit ans et peut être parcouru de juillet à mi-septembre selon les conditions.Bisse de Saxon automne Etienne 2020 (Etienne Bornet)Cleuson_lac_été_2015 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane Saint Laurent Extérieur Été 2006 (Sonia Fournier)Bisse de Chervé chemin 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Mont-Rouge panneau 2018 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Cabane d'Essertze Elodie Moos (Elodie Moos)Mayens de Verrey 2016 (Florian Guntern)2125.3181152344ThyonThe Thyon area not only includes the Thyon 2000 tourist complex, but also a beautiful plateau ideal for learning to ski, all the way to the upper stations of the l'Ours and Les Mayens de Veysonnaz gondolas.
Thyon is the ideal starting point, both in winter for skiing and in summer and autumn for magnificent mountain walks.
At the arrival of the gondolas, public toilets are available if the facilities are open. The restaurant Le Mont-Rouge as well as the restaurant La Combyre offer a warm and friendly setting for your mountain outings. Just below, the popular bar Le Tipi brings the Thyon plateau to life.
Last but not least, all the facilities needed for a pleasant stay in the mountains can be found in the buildings of the Thyon 2000 complex, to the east of the plateau: restaurants, swimming pool, sports shop, estate agency, doctor, etc...
The scenery is stunning, with the breathtaking peaks of the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn in the background. In the evening, under the starlight and in the quiet of the night, it is simply the perfect place to be.Télécabine_Veysonnaz_Thyon_été 2011 (Aline_Fournier)jardin_ess_bambino_plat_thyon_hiver (GijsHardeman)Neige fraîche matin_Thyon_hiver (Veysonnaz)vue_aerienne_sommet_crêtes_Thyon_été 2011 (Aline_Fournier)2487.5300292969Mont-RougeMont-Rouge, famous for its red soil and its cross, is a mountain in the Valais Alps and is located between Mont-Carré and Mont-Loéré. From the top of its 2,491 metres, it offers hikers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Rhone Valley and the Bernese Alps on the one side and the Gouilles d'Essertze and the Val d'Hérens with the Dent Blanche and the Dent d'Hérens on the other.Mont_Rouge_vue_Alpes_Bernoises_2011 (Aline_Fournier)Mont_Rouge_automne_2020 (Christelle_Yerly)Sommet_Mont-Rouge_2019 (Suisse_Tourisme)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 ruisseau été 2021 (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)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)1732.3540039062SiviezSiviez provides access to the areas of Veysonnaz and Thyon on the one hand, and to Verbier and the Bagnes valley as well as to Nendaz and Isérables on the other. It is also the starting point to reach Mont-Fort, a summit that is easily accessible throughout the summer and the winter thanks to the ski lifts
At the far end of the valley stands the Cleuson dam wall, built between 1947 and 1950. 410 metres long at the top and 87 metres high, it can hold up to 20 million m3 of water.
In winter, more than 400 kilometres of slopes await you, as well as several ski touring and snowshoeing routes and a sledge run. The Siviez snow garden allows the very young to discover their first joys of skiing.
In summer, the ski slopes give way to the mountain pastures, which are the preferred holiday destination for the Hérens breed of cows. Numerous hiking and mountain bike trails are also accessible from Siviez.Ebike Siviez été 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Randonnée Siviez hiver 2018 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Siviez Hiver 2016 (Jean Cingria)Siviez Eté Vaches 2016 (Florian Guntern)1785.6444091797Bisse de SaxonThe Bisse de Saxon takes its source at 1,850 metres above sea level, in the Printse river upstream from Siviez. The bisse begins its journey of no less than 32 kilometres and ends its journey above Saxon. The inhabitants of this village located in the Rhone Valley had to be extremely short of water for their crops to undertake such a daring project.
Work began in 1865, but was interrupted initially for technical reasons and then because of a trial that lasted about ten years. Finally, work was resumed in 1874. Two years later, the Bisse de Saxon was filled with water and it was used for irrigation until 1964.
No less than three guards were needed to keep watch over this long irrigation channel. These men lived in cabins along the bisse. In 1999, an association called "Garde du Bisse" was created with the aim of restoring life to this bisse which holds an important place in the history of the Valais.
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 Saxon famille 2014 (Arolle)Bisse de Saxon panorama 2014 (Arolle)Bisse de Saxon totem 2014 (Laetitia Scarascia)Bisse de Saxon 2014 (Arolle)Bisse de Saxon ponton 2019 (Elodie Moos)1328.2054443359Nendaz TourismeTourist information on the resort and the region, entertainment programme, brochures, activities to do, information of all kinds, the staff at Nendaz Tourism are delighted to welcome you and provide you with expert advice in order to ensure that your stay is an unforgettable experience !Office du tourisme hiver 2021 (Elodie Moos)Navette Nendaz Siviez Ete OTN 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Navette Nendaz Siviez Été 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2236.9970703125CombatselineIn both summer and winter, Combatseline can be reached by the chairlift from Siviez. Its restaurant, with delicious traditional dishes, is the perfect place to relax before hitting the slopes or setting off on a hike.
In the summer months, it is also possible to reach it on foot. From there, enjoy a hike towards the Cleuson dam on one side or Veysonnaz on the other by following the Bisse de Chervé, the highest of the bisses in Nendaz, winding along at an altitude of over 2,000 metres.
Once the snow has fallen, you can also reach Combatseline via a ski touring route. This is also a great way to reach the different slopes of the ski domain.Restaurant_Combatseline_2015 (Yasmine Gaudin)Restaurant de Combatseline terrasse 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Ski restaurant Combatseline 2019 (Etienne Bornet)Restaurant Combatseline été vue 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)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)Restaurant Combatseline terrasse hiver 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant Combatseline extérieur hiver 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)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)1357.76538085941391.33532714841407.95080566411409.80541992191422.80139160161426.07800292971441.61779785161449.89831542971443.86376953121458.92468261721461.49243164061465.76354980471477.89831542971524.84326171881537.78979492191564.63952636721598.88122558591614.8613281251634.68054199221636.25964355471654.73999023441668.0605468751667.48168945311681.47314453121690.66894531251700.566406251738.86572265621742.45886230471746.23583984381764.87121582031796.18298339841816.96533203121845.7031251845.89794921881856.95483398441875.94274902341906.32080078121909.59167480471925.00012207031928.93566894531949.10571289061959.02844238281957.38513183591978.67419433591999.94946289062004.82873535162015.83532714842023.363281252026.52905273442022.71057128912021.23217773442028.27502441412047.23864746092062.25683593752092.16381835942097.64086914062099.72949218752106.98315429692104.1972656252103.37646484382113.17016601562118.04028320312130.21777343752130.55688476562129.55004882812123.49951171882118.15185546882119.10644531252120.21704101562120.70605468752127.74291992192131.91723632812134.50439453122177.29541015622218.98779296882216.27807617192232.77563476562288.0371093752313.0058593752308.64135742192322.3730468752329.8847656252326.30151367192332.02368164062333.99682617192338.27001953122340.95751953122342.82543945312353.2011718752372.75415039062346.06274414062341.81933593752335.71557617192326.25415039062325.30395507812315.68676757812312.36450195312307.07495117192300.77319335942293.86376953122296.46972656252294.57836914062283.25415039062275.99536132812266.1386718752252.79321289062244.88769531252231.53735351562223.90380859382212.058593752200.7402343752212.058593752223.89868164062231.53735351562244.88769531252252.83691406252266.21362304692275.99536132812283.25415039062294.54956054692298.08691406252308.69018554692313.32128906252323.30810546882330.20825195312336.97094726562341.58642578122365.93823242192365.67895507812368.02954101562361.59497070312353.98266601562353.52001953122361.14355468752360.18752363.24267578122363.58544921882382.667968752398.08715820312427.60571289062445.91577148442462.95776367192477.57299804692483.10107421882487.61816406252486.78466796882464.11254882812424.12744140622401.96777343752399.41162109382392.252381.457031252362.45483398442344.87939453122312.2343752307.20214843752295.30444335942262.39990234382251.58300781252243.46728515622231.51879882812218.47900390622220.31225585942222.50097656252220.5605468752224.47412109382227.58325195312224.21752929692229.14038085942230.14746093752231.79394531252231.09106445312235.01831054692231.43847656252231.81762695312233.75781252235.65332031252236.35644531252234.69531252236.57055664062235.77026367192235.63623046882236.42797851562235.36572265622234.2285156252235.11059570312239.03198242192236.79028320312242.46972656252236.90283203122240.8808593752241.79858398442238.42504882812242.49316406252238.77294921882241.23974609382243.00317382812241.89526367192243.80126953122242.00659179692244.57666015622244.252242.09936523442240.14721679692244.23999023442238.58740234382243.52978515622244.29858398442242.71093752235.92529296882240.13232421882248.08032226562244.75439453122248.06176757812248.65014648442244.46826171882246.77124023442251.21313476562245.5839843752253.40356445312248.87963867192261.47778320312251.38940429692252.40869140622259.91137695312260.03784179692256.14233398442261.06713867192262.54809570312262.66943359382261.10644531252262.08471679692263.61376953122267.14428710942275.21850585942278.31738281252282.44213867192275.84082031252290.95532226562303.36474609382302.68530273442299.19653320312308.40917968752314.61450195312315.28686523442315.14819335942323.70141601562316.24511718752321.58642578122323.22167968752328.46435546882328.16430664062327.78271484382323.51318359382337.20971679692332.96801757812340.75659179692332.91870117192346.1621093752346.09936523442351.76123046882352.59863281252353.12573242192345.51733398442353.1425781252351.81787109382344.03979492192367.01977539062366.52636718752362.24829101562343.46386718752338.59643554692323.50463867192325.54028320312321.90405273442320.16699218752325.02856445312352.81518554692370.04663085942388.71850585942400.28833007812415.73022460942411.60498046882436.84350585942429.16406252430.97338867192474.06079101562464.48339843752465.2167968752482.93652343752486.61010742192489.871093752483.57446289062481.92065429692466.70581054692464.65063476562474.74829101562430.9980468752437.09057617192414.06762695312416.44409179692423.58691406252410.10424804692397.55883789062384.59912109382354.28051757812338.90747070312322.51342773442319.21826171882322.13354492192325.54028320312323.50463867192304.699218752311.51831054692304.76440429692282.53564453122285.70800781252274.02685546882251.35131835942226.88940429692216.28857421882198.01708984382203.76416015622193.1269531252198.03393554692193.59667968752202.90747070312199.61230468752190.28222656252200.77661132812202.44824218752202.99047851562199.81372070312192.63330078122191.98681640622186.59497070312192.42431640622172.280761718821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