Discover ten fantastic hiking trails accessible by public transport from Le Châble, nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps. From historic routes like the ViaFrancigena to challenging alpine treks in the Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve, these paths offer diverse experiences for all levels of hikers. Enjoy panoramic views of glaciers, spot local wildlife, and explore charming mountain villages along the way.
The hikes are listed in order of travel time from Le Châble, making it easy to plan your adventure based on your schedule. Check out the map to explore thousands of destinations and activities, reachable from any starting point in Switzerland.
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The chamois is the iconic animal of the Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve, the second-largest in Switzerland at 150 sq. km. The nimble-footed mountain goats can negotiate the steepest rock faces, and are perfectly adapted to the steep terrain. This trail offers a thrilling experience of this wild landscape: from high pastures across precipitous slopes to the idyllic Lac de Louvie, with its charming refuge, and down to the village of Fionnay on the valley floor. The Sentier de Chamois proper begins at La Chaux, but for a contrasting prelude, start at Les Ruinettes and follow the flat trail through the Verbier 3-D Sculpture Park. The original works of art, commissioned by the 3-D Foundation, enjoy a spectacular natural setting. At La Chaux, the “Path of the chamois” begins in lush pastures, home to the distinctive black Herens cows of Valais, before leading across rocky slopes into increasingly wild terrain. As the slopes become steeper, the views become more dramatic: a sure foot and a good head for heights are required, especially at the giddy section around the Col Termin. Here, the views open up towards the upper Val de Bagnes, crowned by the sparkling glaciers on the Combin massif. The trail twists down to the Lac de Louvie, with its traditional vaulted stone stables. The welcoming Cabane de Louvie (2,250 m), with its sunny terrace overlooking the lake, is ideal for a refreshment stop. From the refuge, the path zig-zags down steep slopes to Fionnay. NB For a slightly shorter version of the walk, take the La Chaux Express gondola/chairlift from Les Ruinettes to La Chaux, and start there. Highlights Verbier 3-D Sculpture Park – sculpture trail in a spectacular natural setting Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve – opportunities to spot wildlife including ibex, marmots and birds of prey Dramatic, steep terrain – thrilling views of the whole valley, from sleepy villages to glaciated peaks Cabane de Louvie – idyllic refuge by the sparkling Lac de Louvie
11.55km
670m
1415m
4h 40m| Le Châble TV | |
| (13m) | |
| Verbier (télécabine) |
| Verbier (télécabine) | |
| (6m) | |
| Croix-des-Ruinettes |
| Croix-des-Ruinettes | |
| (6m) | |
| La Chaux VS |
Starting from Fionnay, this trail begins with a short ascent on a path that quickly joins the Dranse and enters the Val de Bagnes. From the top of the small village of Bonatchiesse, the ascent ries steeply to the Col des Otanes. The path initially winds its way through forests and green pastures and continues through a rocky alpine landscape up to the pass. At the Col des Otanes, the landscape mainly consists of rock and ice with the Grand Combin above and the Corbassière glacier below. Start heading down to the FXB Panossière hut, then continue your way along the moraine to the Bisse de Corbassière, which you will follow before going down through the forest to Fionnay. Cross the bridge to return to your starting point.
16.46km1378m1378m4h 3m
Minimum elevation: 1488m
Maximum elevation: 2867m
Difficulty: Hard
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| Le Châble VS, gare | |
| (30m) | |
| Fionnay |
The Vallée du Trient was one of the first regions in the Swiss Alps to attract foreign tourists – thanks to the Route des Diligences («Stagecoach Road»), built between 1855 and 1861. The valley soon became internationally famous because of its scenic beauty and elegant resorts such as Finhaut, which has retained its magnificent Belle Epoque hotels. The track, with its 51 hairpin turns, now offers a delightful family walk. The trail roughly follows the route of the narrow-gauge Mont-Blanc Express, built from 1902 to 1906 – so tailoring the perfect outing is easy. Highlights of the itinerary include dramatic views of deep gorges – especially in the upper valley, inaccessible to cars – and Le Trétien, a village of national architectural importance thanks to its historical wooden buildings and twisting lanes. Families will enjoy stopping at Les Marécottes to visit the highest-altitude zoo in Europe, home to black bears, wolves, lynx, marmots, chamois, ibex and many other alpine animals. The adjacent natural swimming pool in the rock, 70 metres long, reaches temperatures of 24-27 degrees in summer, heated by the sun. In Salvan, a small museum commemorates a pioneering visit by a prestigious guest: Guglielmo Marconi. During an extended stay in summer 1895, he managed to send a message using electromagnetic radiation over a distance of more than 1 kilometre: wireless was born. The route as a whole forms part of the ViaCook, a cultural itinerary that traces the very first group tour through Switzerland, organised by the British package holiday pioneer Thomas Cook in 1863. Highlights: Dramatic scenery, deep gorges and Finhaut with its Belle Epoque hotels. Les Marécottes – alpine zoo, natural rock swimming pool Switchback descents, fun for kids – 17 bends at start of walk, 37 at end
13km923m161m5h 0m| Le Châble VS | |
| (25m) | |
| Martigny |
| Martigny | |
| (4m) | |
| Vernayaz MC |
This stage marks the beginning of the ascent to the Great St. Bernard Pass. From Martigny, a path that is steep in parts leads across the narrow Les Trappistes Pass to the medieval village of Sembrancher. From there, the route follows the Napoleon Trail.
20km900m500m6h 0m
Landscape: Through a gorge
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Le Châble VS | |
| (8m) | |
| Sembrancher |
This stage first takes you along a forest trail to the left of the river. You then go to the right of the river along the historic path from Liddes to the small chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette before reaching Bourg-St. Pierre.
14km950m180m4h 25mLandscape: With panoramic views
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Le Châble VS | |
| (8m) | |
| Sembrancher |
| Sembrancher | |
| (8m) | |
| Orsières |
| Orsières, gare | |
| (2m) | |
| Orsières, La Place |
The gentle hike through the Val Ferret valley leads across meadows, through forests, into small chalet villages and along the river. On the final ascent, magnificent views of the stretch you just covered in the dead-straight valley open up. The lake of picturesque Champex reflects the wild, forested mountain landscape.
15km620m740m4h 30mTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Le Châble VS | |
| (8m) | |
| Sembrancher |
| Sembrancher | |
| (8m) | |
| Orsières |
| Orsières, gare | |
| (4m) | |
| Issert |
From La Chaux, the Chamois Path will take you to the heart of the Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve. Along with meeting mountain goats, chamois and marmots, enjoy the spectacular views of the Combins massif glaciers. After crossing the Termin pass, you walk downward to the Louvie Lac and Fionnay.
12km700m1450m4h 45mLandscape: Onto an alp,With panoramic views
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Le Châble TV | |
| (13m) | |
| Verbier (télécabine) |
| Verbier (télécabine) | |
| (6m) | |
| Croix-des-Ruinettes |
| Croix-des-Ruinettes | |
| (6m) | |
| La Chaux VS |
From the pristine lake in narrow zigzag turns up to the Col du Bec d'Aigle. Highest point: the Col du Sarshlau, which offers little space between two mountain peaks. Steeply downhill, the destination is already in sight: the Mauvoisin reservoir, which, at 250 metres, boasts the highest arch dam in Europe.
11km900m1300m4h 50mTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Le Châble VS, gare | |
| (40m) | |
| Lourtier, Pont de Mauvoisin |
This relatively short stage is part of the "Tour du Mont Blanc". After the romantic, uninhabited Durnand valley comes a steep climb to Alp Bovine, where magnificent views of the Rhone Valley and Martigny beckon.
16km880m1050m5h 30mTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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schweizmobil.ch
| Le Châble VS | |
| (8m) | |
| Sembrancher |
| Sembrancher | |
| (8m) | |
| Orsières |
| Orsières, gare | |
| (18m) | |
| Champex, Lac |
The route leads through barren, stony mountain landscapes past numerous lakes and beautiful Alpine flora. Right at the beginning, two passes are climbed, affording stunning mountain views. On the way down to the valley, typical Valais chalets and robust, black Eringen cows enhance the hiking experience.
16km680m1550m5h 20mTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Le Châble VS | |
| (8m) | |
| Sembrancher |
| Sembrancher | |
| (8m) | |
| Orsières |
| Orsières, gare | |
| (22m) | |
| La Fouly VS |
Difficulty: Hard
Maximum elevation: 2648m
Minimum elevation: 1490m
Minimum elevation: 451m
Difficulty: Medium
Maximum elevation: 1306m
Learn more on
valais.ch
Learn more on
valais.ch
