Preparing your hike

With more than 8,000 kilometres of marked hiking trails, the Valais is an infinite playground for hiking enthusiasts. Whether hikes to summits, through larch forests, along various bisses (irrigation channels) or among vineyards, there is something for everyone. To ensure you make the most your day in complete safety, you must be well prepared and observe certain rules. Remember to take all essential items of equipment with you, in order to deal with the unexpected. All that remains is for you to enjoy your adventure to the full.

Equipment

Here are the rules of good conduct to ensure harmonious cohabitation between the various users of the paths, mountain pastures and tracks.

  1. Show respect

  2. Stay on the trails

  3. Respect the environment

  4. Leave nothing behind you

  5. Accept your limits

Security

  • Plan your trip ahead of time and take into account the level of difficulty of the route, its distinctive features and your physical condition.
  • Check the weather forecast and estimate how long it will take you to reach your destination.
  • Find out about the conditions prevailing on the route, especially if you suffer from vertigo.
  • Make sure the route does not go through any residual snow fields.
  • Avoid hiking alone and tell your family and friends that you are going on a trip.
  • Are you well equipped? Have you packed everything you need?
  • Hydrate regularly.
  • Protect yourself from the sun even on cloudy days.
  • Take a break whenever you feel tired.
  • Along the way, check that you are on schedule so that you keep track of time.

Protecting local fauna

From red deer, chamois and marmots to Herens cows and Valais Blacknose sheep: Valais is home to an exceptional wealth of animals. It is important to be careful not to disturb these essential actors on the Valais stage so that they can flourish peacefully in nature. Here are a few tips to reduce any deleterious effects of human activity on wild fauna and other creatures.

  1. Always behave in a manner respectful of local fauna and flora.
  2. Keep to official marked trails and paths, waymarked “white-red-white” and always close gates after passing through.
  3. Always take your litter home with you, as animals could try to eat it.
  4. Keep your dog on a lead and don’t forget to clean up after it.
  5. If you come across animals, do not feed them.
  6. If you spot young wild animals, do not touch them: just observe them.
  7. If you chance on a lost or wounded animal, inform the gamekeeper immediately.