Hiking Tours and other interesting sights

On the Dents-du-Midi and the Dents-Blanches hiking tours, nature-lovers will truly have the chance to delve into our region’s magnificent flora and fauna. The spectacular landscapes of craggy alpine peaks and pristine mountain lakes, the festivals, and the multitude of unique activities on offer, like spending the night in a barn or visiting an alpine cheese-maker, promise to make this your best holiday ever.

Want to hike? Discover the region with a regional mountain leader or a mountain leader or guide from "Montagne Expérience".

 
Hiking in Champéry

Via Francigena

Within it’s first five centuries of existence, the Roman Empire had built almost 80'000 kilometres of roads. One of these routes was particularly well travelled, for centuries assuring a steady back-and-forth circulation of people and goods from Italy to England, via Switzerland and France. This road, alternately called the Via Francigena or Via Romea, was built in the 7th century and linked Canterbury with Rome, making it possible for the Catholic English pilgrims to go to Rome. The already well-established 5th century Saint-Maurice Abbey and its treasure significantly predate the Via Francigena, which first appears in historical documents in 876. The small town of Saint-Maurice was thus historically an important stop on this road, the last stop before the intimidating passage over the Alps. In 990, Sigeric, the archbishop of Canterbury then, made a journey to Rome to be invested with the symbol of his appointment. On his return journey, he carefully made notes of the 80 stages of his voyage. The route he took often crosses the old Roman road, especially in Switzerland and France. In his writings, Sigeric mentioned places like the Grand-St-Bernard Pass, Bourg-St-Pierre, Orsières, St-Maurice, Vevey, Lausanne and Orbe.
www.saint-maurice.ch

The Via Francigena 

Mountain Bikes and cycling

The French-Swiss MTB tour of the Portes du Soleil uses 380 km marked trails including 80% downhill trails, 15% flat trails and 5% uphill trails. 24 chairlifts operate daily from mid-June to mid-October. The downhill tracks are red (medium difficulty) but there are also many blue trails which be used in total security by beginners. The MTB tour of the Portes du Soleil can be done in one day with the chairlifts, but if you prefer to take the time to admire the landscape and enjoy a meal along the way, it is better to plan this tour over two days.

Col des Portes du Soleil by MTB 

Mountain Biking Area, Bikepark.ch

With over 20 lifts opened during the summer, the Portes du Soleil is certainly one of the greatest mountain biking regions in the world. The BikePark.ch Champéry / Val-d’ Illiez / Morgins, which is definite MTB territory in the Portes du Soleil, offers a multitude of tracks for riders of all abilities. The more practiced bikers can choose from between 10 especially arranged circuits and cross-country courses. The various circuits in Bikepark.ch are indicated on a map distributed for free by the local Tourist Offices and Chablais Tourisme SA. The routes are marked using the same colours as ski runs : blue for easy tracks (dirt or paved roads suitable for motor vehicles), red for medium difficulty and black for very difficult runs.
www.bikepark.ch 

MTB downhill 

Nordic walking

From the far North comes the new fitness rage! Nordic walking is just like regular fitness walking, except that it is practiced with special, lightweight poles which allow you to work 90% of your body and burn 45% more calories than regular walking ! It’s great for strengthening neck and back muscles, and is also an excellent cardiovascular workout. This is a sport for anyone; just lengthen your stride, roll your hips and swing those poles !
www.chablais.info

Nordic walking 

The hiking tour of the Portes du Soleil

Stroll through meadows carpeted with flowers to the lulling sound of cowbells ringing in the distance. The postcard-perfect scenery, the charmingly rustic alpine chalets and the mouth-watering local cuisine will leave you with the souvenir of an exceptional holiday. The Portes du Soleil walking tour can start in any one of the 12 resorts with plenty of criss-crossing shortcuts to allow you to come back to the starting point if you linger in the meadows. Total walking time, if you do the whole tour : 33 hours for the French part and 15 hours for the Swiss part, which equals about 7 days of walking, 6 to 8 hours per day.
www.portesdusoleil.com

Hiking tour of the Portes du Soleil 

The Portes du Soleil on horseback

The Portes du Soleil is a dream destination for horseback riding. Most of the 12 Swiss and French resort villages here offer accompanied outings on horseback, an ideal way to explore the nature and wildlife of this diverse region. At a leisurely pace, over several days, riders can explore two different countries which share a unique perspective. A variety of viewpoints offer magnificent panoramas as you ride through the alpine meadows. Stay the night in a gîte, then head out the next morning refreshed and ready for new adventures. Explore the French-Swiss Alps on horseback and experience the true Portes du Soleil, where free-spirited camaraderie and conviviality go hand in hand. There are equitation centers in Champéry, Champoussin (western style), Morgins and Les Crosets. The season lasts generally from June to October.
www.portesdusoleil.com

 
Col des Portes du Soleil on a horse 

Hiking Tour around the Dents-du-Midi Mountains

The Tour des Dents-du-Midi hiking trail is a well-marked, mid-altitude trail 42 km long, circling the foot of the majestic Dents-du-Midi massif. The course, which varies between 1040 and 2500 m altitude, is an ecological treasure trove. Sites to see include the Fahy waterfall, the breathtaking view of the Cime de l’Est’s north face and an abundant fauna and flora in its most untouched state. This is one of the most spectacular hikes in the world and it is also one of the most versatile. It can be completed in a day or over several days, with most people averaging 3 to 4 days. There is never a dull moment as each spectacular view is succeeded by the next. The river rapids, lovely old mountain chalets, plunging valleys, waterfalls, lakes, alpine pastures, rocky outcrops and forests seem to come straight out of the old Swiss legends. Around every corner, at every resting point, something magical awaits the patient explorer who knows how to listen to the language of nature ; water splashing over stones, birdsong or the startled cry of a groundhog. Can you read the stories written in the changing patterns of shadow and light on the Alps? Look carefully ! The animals are watching you and the flowers in the meadows are bobbing their heads to welcome you as you pass by !
www.dentsdumidi.ch

The Tour des Dents-du-Midi 

The Tour de Don, Panoramic viewpoint over the Chablais

In the Chablais, not far from the shores of Lake Geneva and just above Torgon, there is a little-known mountain where visitors will find an inspiring walking trail, incidentally one of the most beautiful trails in the region. It is called the Tower of Don (1998m alt.). After making it to the top, either on foot or by chair lift from Torgon, visitors are rewarded with an extraordinary scenic view, unique even in the extraordinary Portes du Soleil region. Both Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva are visible from here, as well as some of the most impressive mountains of the lower part of the Valais : the Dents-du-Midi and the Combins. From the top, visitors can continue a charming walk towards the Col de Croix and onwards, via the Chalet Mouet, to the Savoyard side of the Portes du Soleil recreational area. Once here, you can stop and enjoy the food and drink available in a tranquil meadow hut before continuing on in the direction of the Col de Recon (CH). As you descend over the pass into the valley below, you might witness a rare sight: grazing mouflon, or mountain sheep. As watching for these shy creatures requires a great amount of patience and even more stealth, you may want to sit and wait for them
to appear. On the sunny terrace at the La Bourri mountain refuge, you will find a comfortable seat and a beautiful view over the animals’ preferred side of the mountain.
www.torgon.ch 

The Tour de Don, Torgon 

The Barmaz Plateau

At 1500 m, Barmaz, is one of the highlights of the Chablais region. Traditional chalet-style farms dot an idyllic valley, which is a perfect spot for family outings, picnics, walks in the woods and mushroom-picking. Worthy of mention are the two welcoming cantines, where accommodation is available (from the end of May to the beginning of October). In some of the mountain farmsteads, delicious cheeses are still made according to age-old traditions. For amateur rock climbers, a natural climbing wall is located on the spectacular Barme Rock, two minutes from the restaurants. The 47 different climbing routes range in difficulty from 3 to 7b. Whether you are on foot, on horseback, on your bike or travelling by car, Barme is easy to get to and certainly worth the detour ! Barme is not an end in itself, but a great departure point for many more destinations on foot, bikes or horseback.
www.champery.ch

The Barmaz Plateau, Champéry 

Morgins' Planetary Trail

The Planetary Trail is really out of this world ! Dotted along a trail that follows the They Vallon are yellow discs identifying the different planets in order. The planets’ technical characteristics are shown through the discs, allowing walkers of all ages to explore the solar system on a human scale; every step you take corresponds to a distance of 1 million kilometres in the Cosmos ! When you come back to Earth, try exploring Morgins’ other educational theme trails: the Forestry Trail, the Bridges Trail and the Bee Trail.
www.morgins.ch  

Morgins' Planetary Trail 

The Défago Gallery in Champéry

In 1862, M. Emmanuel Défago created the Défago Gallery by carving out a natural fissure in the sheer rock wall opposite Champéry, leaving us with a spectacular promenade 600 m long. From the gallery, visitors have a breathtaking, panoramic view over Champéry and a good part of the Val-d’Illiez. In the late morning, when the sun is fully up over the Dents-du-Midi, this may well be the most perfect view of a picture-perfect village. Many have been charmed by this magical place hewn into the unforgiving granite of the Alps. At the turn of the 20th century, Arthur of Clarapède wrote, «When examining the large rock wall facing Champéry, on the other side of the Vièze River, one is struck by the word gallery, written in capital letters on the rock like a shop sign. This inscription on the side of a mountain, indicates one of the prettiest and most interesting walks around Champéry.
www.champery.ch

The Défago Gallery, Champéry 

The Via Ferrata in Tière

Between Val-d’Illiez and Champéry lies the Via Ferrata de Tière. This is a mountain climbing trail equipped with fixed cables, ladders and bridges, making a rather vertiginous pathway in the mountains accessible to walkers and climbers with a wide range of climbing abilities. The Via Ferrata de Tière winds its way through forests and crosses over waterfalls and rapids three times with the help of hanging bridges and passageways (the longest measures 20 meters). It is built into a rock wall with a 75° incline and full southern exposure. The technical course has an altitude gain of 125 m and the total length of the cabled course is approximately 460 m. This sport, a mix of hiking and mountain climbing, is perfect for adults and children alike. Safety equipment is obligatory and can be rented in any sports shop in Val-d’Illiez or Champéry. Advice for the people afraid of heights : the presence of a mountain guide may be helpful and will increase your enjoyment of this challenging activity. 
www.champery.ch and www.valdilliez.ch  

The Via Ferrata in Tière 

A cruise on Lake Geneva

Le Bouveret and St-Gingolph are perfect starting points for a cruise on Lake Geneva over to the Château de Chillon, Montreux, Lausanne or Evian. Aboard one of our ships, enjoy a delicious supper while looking at the amazing countryside going by.
www.cgn.ch  

A cruise on Lake Geneva 

La voile sur le Lac Léman

Lake Geneva hosts the biggest lake regatta in Europe, the Bol d’Or, and is a paradise for water sports. The sailing schools in Le Bouveret offer lessons for beginners, children, adults, schools and companies. The school also offers catamaran excursions, sailboat rentals, motorboat lessons, sailing license preparation and combined licences. If you love the water and water sports, sun and spectacular scenery, then Lake Geneva is the perfect vacation destination for you. And who knows, you may even go home an expert sailor !
www.bouveret.ch and www.st-gingolph.ch

The Bol d'Or, Bouveret 

Alpemotion

AlpEmotion makes dreams come true. We design high-quality, unique, tailor-made trips to help you get the very best out of your vacation experience. Our professionals will organize your trip according to your desires, interests, physical conditions and technical level. They will escort you to and from activities, ensuring total comfort and security while exposing you to new aspects of mountain life. They will also organize all the technical details of your trip so that it goes without a hitch. AlpEmotion will design your trip! For private clients or businesses (groups from 2 to 20 people).
www.alpemotion.com  

Lac de Salanfe 

On the Rhône River

Here is an interesting idea for a wild outing among friends, and probably one of the more adventurous activities the Chablais has to offer ! The 8 km long rafting circuit between Aigle and Le Bouveret exploits the wild twists and turns of the Rhone River and ends with an adrenaline-charged moment when the river pours into Lake Geneva. River rafting is practiced on an inflatable rubber raft steered with paddles, extremely stable and safe and perfect for teams of 6 to 8 people.
www.bouveret.ch and www.st-gingolph.ch 

Rafting on the Rhône River