Hikes

Sentier des Chamois

Verbier

1/5°

The Chamois Path runs through the Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve. Along steep paths high above the valley floor, you will enjoy breathtaking views and numerous opportunities to observe wildlife.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

11.55 km

Duration

4:40 h

Aussicht auf den Lac Louvie und das Grand Combin Massiv

Aussicht auf das Grand Combin Massiv vom Pfad der Gämse

Der Pfad der Gämse führt am Lac Louvie vorbei

Abstieg vom Col de Termin Richtung Bergsee Lac Louvie

Description

The chamois is the emblem of the second largest nature reserve in Switzerland. This light-footed alpine animal conquers even the steepest slopes effortlessly and is perfectly adapted to the alpine terrain of the region.

This hike will captivate you with its wild landscape: from high alpine pastures along steep slopes to the idyllic Lac de Louvie with its charming mountain hut and then down to the village of Fionnay in the valley floor. The path starts in La Chaux, but you can also start in Les Ruinettes and pay a visit to the 3D sculpture park, where sculptures are displayed in open nature.

At the beginning of the hike, the path leads over pastures where Eringer cows often graze before it becomes rockier and the landscape gradually wilder. As the steepness increases, the view becomes breathtaking and sure footing as well as a head for heights are required, especially at the highest point of the tour, Col Termin.

From here you enjoy views of the upper Val de Bagnes, crowned by the glaciers of the Combin massif. The steep descent to Lac de Louvie with stone-built stalls overcomes almost 400 meters of elevation in 1.5 kilometers. From the hut, the path zigzags down to the village of Fionnay.

Highlights of the hike:

3D sculpture park in Les Ruinettes.
The Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve offers numerous opportunities to observe wildlife.
The dramatic and steep landscape as well as the breathtaking views of peaks, glaciers, and valleys.
The idyllic huts Cabane de Louvie by the sparkling mountain lake Lac de Louvie.

Turn-by-turn directions

Option 1: Start the hike at the mountain station Les Ruinettes and follow the flat 3D sculpture park to La Chaux.

Option 2: Take the La Chaux Express from Les Ruinettes to La Chaux and start the hike there.

From La Chaux the path leads towards Mintset until it turns left at the ridge and ascends increasingly steeply to the east. Special caution is required especially at Col Termin. The descent to Lac de Louvie and then onwards to Fionnay is also very steep.

Start

La Chaux (Gondola) (2238m)

Destination

Fionnay (1490m)

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Author's recommendation

Take a short detour to the northern shore at Lac de Louvie to visit the traditional, arched stone stalls.

Technical information

Altitude

2648m

1490m

Ascent

+670m

Descent

-1415m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Regular train connections to Martigny, where you must change to the regional train to Le Châble. The gondola takes you from Le Châble via Verbier to La Chaux.

At the end of the hike, the postbus takes you from Fionnay back to Le Châble. Timetables for trains and postbuses can be found at www.sbb.ch

Approach

A9 motorway, exit 22 (Grand St-Bernard). Follow signs to Verbier and drive to Le Châble, where you can take the gondola directly to Les Ruinettes.

Parking

Free parking at the cable cars in Le Châble. Parking in Verbier is subject to a fee. Follow the local parking guidance system in Le Châble or Verbier.

Equipment

We recommend:

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

For certain hikes:

Swimsuit

Safety information

Use of the hiking trails and information on this website is at your own risk. Conditions on site may cause changes to the route. Valais/Wallis Promotion assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this website.

Assess your own abilities and fitness well. Hiking the various routes is fundamentally at your own responsibility.

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.
Use only marked hiking trails and observe 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 sun protection. UV rays can be very strong at high altitudes, even in cloudy weather.
Plan your hike carefully: take into account the required fitness level of all participants, weather forecasts, and seasonal conditions.
Weather conditions in the mountains can change very quickly and without warning. 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. If possible, avoid going alone.
Do not go onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
Observe warning signs indicating dangers at riverbanks, along waterways below dams and reservoirs: water levels can rise quickly and without warning.