Hikes

Lac des Vaux

Verbier

-5/1°

On this hike, between Savoleyres and Les Ruinettes amidst an idyllic mountain landscape, you will discover Lac des Vaux with its mirror-smooth surface.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

8.76 km

Duration

3:00 h

Lac des Vaux und die Bergstation der Luftseilbahn

Description

Get ready for a breathtaking panorama on this route above the famous holiday resort Verbier, offering spectacular views of the Rhone Valley, the Val de Bagnes, as well as the Combin massif and the Mont Blanc massif. Savoleyres, located at 2343 meters altitude, is the starting point for your hike. You walk toward La Croix de Coeur and follow the ridge to Col des Mines, before the valley with Lac des Vaux opens up before you, its waters reflecting the surrounding mountain peaks. The ideal place for a picnic before you tackle the ascent to Col de Creblet around Mont Rogneux. Finally, a long descent leads you to Les Ruinettes. From there, you reach Verbier by cable car.

Turn-by-turn directions

From the holiday resort Verbier, take the cable car up to the mountain station Savoleyres, the starting point of your hike. You first walk eastward along the ridge and then descend to Col de la Croix de Coeur before heading up towards Tête des Établons. The path leads around Mont Rogneux and offers spectacular views down to Verbier and the Val de Bagnes. Next follows an ascent to Col des Mines, where the path crosses the north side of the ridge. From there, continue up to three shimmering mountain lakes: Lac des Vaux and the two smaller adjacent lakes are a highlight of this hike. Afterwards, the route climbs up to Col de Creblet. After this last ascent, a long descent to Les Ruinettes awaits you. From there, you reach Verbier by cable car.

Start

Savoleyres (2336m)

Destination

Les Ruinettes (2197m)

Download GPX

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Author's recommendation

The ridge near La Croix de Coeur is a very popular take-off site for paragliders and glider pilots.

Technical information

Altitude

2639m

2173m

Ascent

+467m

Descent

-606m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

By train: Use the Simplon line to Martigny, then take the "RegionAlps" train to Le Châble. From there, you reach Verbier either by post bus or mountain railways. From there, reach Savoleyres by cable car.

Approach

Take the A9/E62 motorway to Martigny. Drive towards the Great St Bernard to Sembrancher, then turn towards Verbier.

Parking

In Le Châble there is a large car park with 755 parking spaces directly at the valley station of the mountain railways; in Verbier, five different car parks offer sufficient parking options.

Equipment

We recommend:

Good footwear
Weather-dependent clothing: always carry a waterproof vest
Headwear
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Picnic
Camera
Binoculars (optional)
Hiking poles (optional)
Printout of the hiking trail (click "Print" to download)

For certain hikes:

Swimsuit

Safety information

This route has not been approved by the canton of Valais under the law on recreational traffic routes. Use of the routes and the information on this website is the responsibility of the respective user. Local conditions can lead to changes in the route. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information on the website.

The mountains are a place of joy to share and respect. The mountain world is a place to meet and experience unforgettable moments together – whether by bike or on foot. To ensure all users can benefit, it is essential to share this space with respect for nature and agriculture. Respectful behavior enables everyone to pursue their leisure activities under the best conditions. Inform yourself about recommendations and rules. Assess your own skills and fitness well. Use of the different routes is fundamentally at your own risk.

For all hikes:

Carry a map with you. Download the complete description of the hiking trail with a large-scale map by clicking "Print" at the top right of the page.
Only use marked hiking trails and follow all signposts and instructions – for your own safety, to protect grazing animals, and out of respect for wildlife.
Close gates after passing through.
Behave considerately towards other trail users, plants, and animals.

For mountain hikes:

Carry additional sunscreen. UV rays at high altitudes can be very strong, even on cloudy days.
Plan your hike carefully: consider the fitness level required for all participants, weather forecasts, and seasonal dependencies.
Weather conditions can change very quickly and without warning in the mountains. Appropriate clothing and sufficient provisions (food and drink) are very important. In unstable weather, it is better to turn back early.

For high alpine hikes:

Inform your family about your hiking route. Avoid being alone if possible.
Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
Observe warning signals indicating danger at riverbanks, along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels can rise quickly and without notice.

Responsible hiking

Preparation for a hike