Hikes
Galerie Défago
Champéry
-3/3°
This walk suitable for all hikers leads along a path carved into the rock with a magnificent view of Champéry.
Difficulty
EasyLength
8.69 kmDuration
2:40 h
Description
Walk on a nature trail carved into the rock, above which the word GALERIE is visible in large letters on the cliff. On the large rock walls opposite the village of Champéry, on the other side of the Vièze, this inscription points to one of the most beautiful walks in the area. The over 600-meter-long path follows a natural rock ledge where a variety of different plants bloom. With every meter gained, the panorama widens. At the end of the path, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Champéry. From there, you can see the entire valley and even make out the church tower of Val-d’Illiez as well as the village of Troistorrents.
Turn-by-turn directions
The hike begins at the Champéry train station. From there, the path leads over the Vièze and up to one of the region's greatest attractions: a path built along the rock face above the village. The local entrepreneur Emmanuel Défago opened this gallery in 1864. The path mostly follows a natural ledge along the rock face. In some places, workers had to chisel the path into the rock to create a continuous walkway. A century later, this rock path, which offers a spectacular view of Champéry and the valley, was extended to 600 meters. At the end of the gallery, the path continues over Les Rives towards Val d’Illiez. The descent to the end of the valley begins at Les Esserts before it goes back up to the village of Val d’Illiez via the old sawmill.
Start
Champéry (train station) (1033m)
Destination
Val d’Illiez (train station) (947m)
Author's recommendation
In the trees of the adventure park "Accrobranche du Dahu" you will find eight different zip lines, including one that is 180 meters long.
Technical information
Altitude
1237m
870m
Ascent
+370m
Descent
-460m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Getting there
Information
Public transport
From Geneva or Brig, take the Simplon line to Aigle. Change to the regional train (AOMC) to Champéry.
Approach
Motorway A9 exit 18 (St-Triphon), then head towards Portes du Soleil via Collombey, Troistorrents, Val-d'Illiez, and finally Champéry.
Parking
Large parking lot at the Champéry train station.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
