Hikes

Sentier des Sens La Tzoumaz (Trail of the senses)

La Tzoumaz

4/14°

The "Sentier des Sens" (Trail of the senses) invites walkers of all ages to explore alpine nature through sound, smell and touch. A delightful waterside stroll starting at the fascinating “House of the Forest”.

Difficulty

Easy

Length

5.5 km

Duration

1:30 h

Description

The "Sentier des Sens" (Trail of the senses) is a charming walk of 5,5 km (round trip) for nature-lovers of all ages, accessible also to pushchairs and wheelchairs. Developed in conjunction with a school for visually impaired children in Lausanne, the path invites visitors to explore nature with all their senses – and especially through touch, sound and smell.

Starting point is the "Maison de la Forêt" (House of the Forest): attractions include interactive exhibitions on local wildlife, observation towers on stilts, a botanical garden with medicinal plants, an adventure playground and café.

Here, visitors can pick up a copy of the “5 senses quiz” booklet, which features a series of puzzles and games at 5 stations around the Maison de la Forêt and a further 11 along the Sentier des Sens. The quiz is available in French, English and German; the panels along the way are also marked in braille.

Along the trail, visitors explore the sensations evoked by the flowers, trees and birdsong, the soil below their feet and the skies above. The route largely leads along a “bisse”, one of the irrigation channels characteristic of Valais, built by hand to carry precious alpine water to the fields and orchards. Created in in the 1850s, the Bisse de Saxon is the longest in Valais at 26 km, known as the “King of bisses”.

A picnic site at Le Marteau with tables and barbecue equipment is free for all to use.

NB The Maison de la Forêt is open from late May until the end of September, plus October weekends.

Highlights

Maison de la Forêt – fun interactive exhibitions, adventure playground and café
5 Senses Quiz – games and puzzles along the walk
Flat, pushchair/wheelchair-accessible trail – mostly along the water
Picnic site – complete with tables and barbecue equipment

Turn-by-turn directions

Starting at the Maison de la Forêt, the trail leads through woodland, generally following the Bisse de Saxon irrigation channel. At Les Pontets, the path loops through subalpine forest and pasture before leading along the river La Fare back to the bisse.

The picnic site of Le Marteau is about 1 km before the start/end of the walk.

Start

La Tzoumaz, Maison de la Forêt (1682m)

Destination

La Tzoumaz, Maison de la Forêt (1682m)

Download GPX

Download KML

Author's recommendation

At the Maison de la Forêt, pick up the drawing kit “The green pencil” and learn to look at nature with an artist’s eye.

Technical information

Altitude

1749m

1683m

Ascent

+66m

Descent

-66m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Train to Riddes, bus to La Tzoumaz (gondola station). The start of the trail is about 1.25 km / 30 minutes’ walk away. Find full timetable information at www.sbb.ch.

Approach

A9 motorway, exit 24 (Riddes). Follow directions to La Tzoumaz.

Parking

Parking in front of the Maison de la Forêt.

Equipment

We recommend:

good footwear
clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
hat or cap
sunscreen
bottle for water
picnic
camera
binoculars (optional)
hiking poles (optional)
printout of this hike (click “Print” icon, to download)

For certain walks:

Swimwear

Safety information

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.

For all hikes:

Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on “Print” icon, top right of this page.
Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Close gates after passing through.
Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
Do not leave any waste in nature.

For mountain hikes:

Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.

For high-altitude hikes:

Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.

Additional information

View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility:

N°254 Sentiers des Sens La Tzoumaz

More information about the destination:

La Tzoumaz

Literature

The tourist office in La Tzoumaz has got brochures and information material about hiking in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo Maps 1:25’000: 1325 Sembrancher / 1326 Rosablanche

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion