Hikes

Bois de Finges - The Great Crossing

Wildwasser Rhône

Sierre

1/12°

Open

The Bois de Finges fits into a confined space between the wild Rhône, torrid steppes, dry pine forests, an alluvial forest, ponds and meadows.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

11.72 km

Duration

3:10 h
Wildwasser Rhône
Naturpark Pfyn-Finges
Wilder Rhône
Etang Finges
Pfyn-Finges

Description

The Finges forest in the Pfyn-Finges Regional Nature Park – one of the largest pine forests in the Alps – is a nationally important protected site. The Bois de Finges is adjacent to the wild Rhône (one of the last undammed sections of the river) and is home to a large number of animals and plants.

Since 1997, the region has been protected, and in 2000, the neighboring municipalities founded an association to develop sustainable tourism in the reserve and establish a nature park. Since November 2005, the Bois de Finges has been proudly named a Regional Nature Park.

The hike, after leaving Sierre, crosses the entire forest parallel to the Rhône. It passes through a multitude of different natural areas: hills formed by a landslide, pond zones sheltering dozens of protected natural species, arid steppes... all constantly surrounded by pines, making the crossing pleasant even in the middle of summer.

Turn-by-turn directions

From the Sierre Tourist Office, head east and pass in front of the Town Hall before taking Rue du Bourg and then reaching the Glarey district. Cross the new square and head towards the industrial zone before crossing the Rhône and then the motorway slip road via an underpass. From there, enter the forest with an initial climb on the hills, then follow the path, more or less straight, until a small forest road. After a few meters, turn left and continue through the forest until the ponds (which can be bypassed on either side). Then you arrive at the long dyke of the Finges farm. Halfway there is the intersection to the Bouthanais bridge. Then return to the pine forest, cross the Rhône diversion canal before arriving at the Illgraben. You must pass under the road and go up to the sidewalk on the other side, before entering the village of Susten and reaching the Leuk/Susten station.

Start

Sierre, Tourist Office (534m)

Destination

Leuk/Susten, CFF station (623m)

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Author's recommendation

Crossing this natural area is an experience in itself, as diversity is present throughout the route.

Technical information

Altitude

634m

532m

Ascent

+152m

Descent

-66m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • 'Healthy climate'
  • Family-friendly
  • Flora
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Departure (Sierre, Tourist Office)

  • Mainline and regional trains to Sierre CFF station
  • SMC funicular from Crans-Montana (closed in 2022)
  • SMC buses (Crans-Montana), Car Postal (Val d'Anniviers, Vercorin, and Sion), Marty / LLB (Salgesch, Leuk) at Sierre CFF station
  • Sierre buses, lines 1 and 2, stop Town Hall / CFF, lines 3 and 4, stop Bus station

Alternative departure (Entrance of the Bois de Finges)

  • Car Postal from the Bus station towards Vissoie / Val d'Anniviers, stop Parc de Finges
  • Sierre bus line 1 from Town Hall / CFF towards Sablons, stop Roussier or Ile Falcon

Arrival (Leuk/Susten, CFF station)

  • Mainline and regional trains towards Sierre and Visp / Brig
  • Marty / LLB bus towards Sierre via Salgesch (with change at Varen)

Approach

Departure (Sierre)

  • Motorway A9, Sierre West exit, direction downtown
  • Motorway A9, Sierre East exit, direction downtown

Alternative departure (Bois de Finges)

  • Motorway A9, Sierre East exit, direction Sierre

Arrival (Leuk/Susten)

  • Canton road N9, Leuk/Susten, Bahnhof

Parking

Departure (Sierre)

  • Underground parking at the CFF station
  • City underground parking (Europe, Beaulieu, SMC, Forum, Terrasse, etc.)
  • Parking spaces in town

Alternative departure (Bois de Finges)

  • Free parking at the entrance of the Bois de Finges (west side of the motorway slip road, at the roundabout, direction Ile Falcon then immediately right)

Arrival (Leuk/Susten)

  • P+R parking at the CFF station

Equipment

Do not be misled by the fact that you remain on flat ground in terms of equipment: the forest is overall a difficult place to access. Good shoes and proper hiking gear are essential, as well as sufficient water.

Safety information

  • The Finges forest is a nature reserve, so you must not leave the marked trail
  • Plan enough water, as there is only one restaurant along the entire route
  • Above all, do not make fire in the pine forest! The large fires that occurred in the pine forest in 1996 and 2003 started from a small flame and devastated hundreds of hectares of forest

Follow the marked trails, respect the nature that welcomes you, and take your waste with you in your bag.

Check the weather conditions before your departure.

Sierre Tourism declines all liability in case of accident.

Additional information

  • A part of the route between the exit of downtown Sierre and the entrance of the Bois de Finges is not very "glamorous" as it crosses the industrial zone - but no worries, once in the forest, nature largely regains dominance
  • Similarly, a small section at the end of the route, at the entrance of Susten village, runs alongside the canton road. Nevertheless, do not miss crossing the Illgraben, a watercourse world-renowned for its impressive mudflows
  • The walk is doable in both directions (Sierre > Leuk/Susten or Leuk/Susten > Sierre)
  • A path variant allows, at the height of the Finges farm, to cross the fields towards the Bouthanais Bridge, then descend towards Leuk/Susten. Expect about 1h30 extra, but the bridge crossing is worth it!
  • Outside the days following snowfall, the trail is roughly accessible year-round. However, in winter, the place is very little sunny and several sections may be icy
  • Near the ponds is the restaurant "L'Ermitage", the only dining place in the forest
  • The linguistic border crosses the Finges forest: at the start from Sierre, you will be spoken to in French, while at the arrival in Leuk/Susten, you will be spoken to in German
  • All information about the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park is available at the Nature and Landscape Center in Salgesch
  • It is possible to start the hike at the entrance of the Bois de Finges instead of downtown Sierre. Parking is free there!

Source

This activity is brought to you by Sierre Tourisme. Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.

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