What if the finest memories of summer could fit into a backpack? In the Swiss Valais, the Val de Bagnes invites you to slow down to explore better. Between alpine passes, high-altitude lakes, perched cabins and panoramic trails, escapism is experienced on foot or by bike, for a day, a weekend or several days. An overview of five getaways, from the accessible outing to the major trek for seasoned walkers.
By bike, for a day or a weekend
For a first immersion, nothing beats an e-bike day trip up to the Chanrion hut. From the foot of the Mauvoisin dam, the route climbs to the crest, runs alongside the lake, and then reaches this refuge perched at 2,462 metres, surrounded by glaciers and lakes, where a charging point awaits electric bikes. After a night up there, you can hike in the surrounding area or coast back down to the valley. Allow 29 kilometres return and 1,080 metres of elevation gain.
Cycling enthusiasts can extend the adventure with the Tour du Mont Fort over a weekend. Setting off from Verbier, the climb leads to the Mont Fort cabin at 2,456 metres, followed by a route connecting the resorts of the 4 Vallées (Verbier, La Tzoumaz and Nendaz). From the Rhône plain to the glaciers, passing through forests and alpine pastures, the diversity of the landscapes is striking, with a second day of over 60 kilometres for the most seasoned cyclists.
From hut to hut, over three days
The Val de Bagnes has six mountain huts, and a route allows half of them to be discovered in three days. From the Brunet hut, the first day crosses the Col des Avouillons, which overlooks the Corbassière glacier, before reaching the Panossière hut, facing the Combins massif.
The next day, it is time for the Col des Otanes, followed by the descent towards the Mauvoisin reservoir and the Chanrion hut, right at the end of the valley. The return route skirts the other bank of the lake as far as the dam. A spectacular summary, averaging 11.7 kilometres per day.
Long-distance treks for experienced hikers
For devotees of long-distance hiking, two exceptional loops await the most resilient. The Tour du Val de Bagnes unwinds over 90 kilometres across five days, in hiking or trail-running mode, with the massifs of the Combins, Vélan and Mont-Blanc as a backdrop. Pass crossings – including the Col des Otanes, the highest point at 2,846 metres –, nights in mountain huts and iconic locations such as the Corbassière glacier or Lac de Louvie: all the ingredients of an unmissable experience.
Even more ambitious, the Grand Tour des Combins spans the border between Switzerland and Italy across eleven stages, translating to nine days of alpine hiking around a massif peaking at 4,314 metres. Less frequented than its neighbour the Tour du Mont-Blanc but just as otherworldly, this strenuous trek leads from mountain hut to mountain hut across five valleys, skirting close to 3,000 metres. To organise a tailor-made journey – route direction, starting point, accommodation – a dedicated platform allows you to put together your itinerary in just a few clicks.
Find out more :
- E-bike day (Chanrion hut): 29 km return, 1,080 m D+, 4h20
- Mont Fort Tour Weekend: Day 1: Verbier → Mont Fort hut (13.7 km); Day 2: Tour du Mont Fort (63 km)
- The huts of the Val de Bagnes : 3 days, average 11.7 km/day
- Tour du Val de Bagnes 90 km over 5 days, hiking or trail running
- Grand Tour des Combins 11 stages (9 days), between Switzerland and Italy – customisable itinerary on mongrandtourdescombins.com