Petit Bisse and Bisse de la Tsandra in Conthey
Les Coteaux du Soleil
2/14°
Charming route along two historic Suones in Conthey. The second one offers an interesting insight into this Valais tradition thanks to information panels. The walk also delights with beautiful views.
Difficulty
EasyLength
11.84 kmDuration
3:23 h
Description
The Valais Suones are historic irrigation channels that carry glacier water to fields, orchards, and vineyards. Until the early 20th century, some 200 Suones were built by hand in Valais over a length of 1,800 kilometers. Many have been lovingly restored in recent years and can often be discovered on hikes.
This route follows the course of two 15th-century Suones that brought water to the fields above Conthey. Both are fed by water from the Tsanfleuron Glacier near the Diablerets massif. Each Suone has its own character and the hiker is rewarded with beautiful views.
The route begins at the source of the "Petit Bisse," which is supplied from the La Morge mountain stream. The Suone operates in summer from June to October and passes through forests and fields. This Suone even supplies water to a small hydropower plant in Mayens-de-My before it flows into the "Bisse de la Tsandra."
The water of this second Suone flows through a series of underground tunnels. A themed path follows the water’s course and provides information on 24 panels about the history of Suones in Valais.
The path is easy and descends gently—only a steeper section must be overcome when switching from the first to the second Suone. The views are exciting—from the wild gorge of the La Morge stream to the view of the Rhone Valley with its orchards and vineyards.
Highlights of the route:
- Pleasant walk with gentle slope through forests and meadows.
- Petit Bisse: still used for irrigation since the 15th century.
- Adventure path along the Bisse de la Tsandra with information on the history of irrigation in Valais.
Turn-by-turn directions
The route begins at the source of the Petit Bisse Suone near Grand-Zour, where the road to the Sanetsch Pass crosses the La Morge stream. Here, a short stop can be made at the restaurant.
The path follows the entire length of the Petit Bisse to Mayens-de-My. Here the path sharply turns left and descends 67 vertical meters to the Bisse de la Tsandra. The route then follows the tunnels of this second Suone to Aven.
For hikers arriving by car to Grand-Zour, there is an attractive alternative route: The beginning of the walk to Mayens-de-My is as described. Instead of descending to Aven, the Bisse de la Tsandra can be followed in the opposite direction. You follow the first part of the themed path in reverse direction, thus following the path that leads back to the La Morge stream below Grand-Zour.
Start
Grand-Zour (hamlet) (1440m)
Destination
Aven (hamlet) (932m)
Author's recommendation
Technical information
Altitude
1442m
932m
Ascent
+7m
Descent
-509m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Approach
Parking
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
