Through the original valley "La combe de l’A"
Liddes/Vichères
-2/4°
Hike in one of the most original and wildest side valleys of Valais. Highlights are magnificent landscapes, ideal conditions for observing wild animals, fascinating geological features, and inviting mountain huts.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
21.16 kmDuration
7:30 h
Description
The "Combe de l’A" is a side valley located between the Val de Ferret and the Val d’Entremont that reaches up to the Great St Bernard Pass. The Val d’Entremont was an important transit route for centuries and was therefore heavily frequented. The "Combe de l’A", on the other hand, remained untouched and has been preserved in its original form to this day. The valley is now a nature reserve and habitat for alpine flora and fauna, extending from 1,400 m a.s.l. to 3,000 m a.s.l.
This hike offers ideal conditions for discovering alpine wildlife; with a bit of luck, you may see the following animals: ibex, deer, marmots, ravens, and golden eagles. Information panels along the hiking trail explain how the landscape has been shaped by water, snow, and ice over the years.
The upper part of the valley is snow-covered for a long time, but in late spring, the valley awakens from its winter sleep and shines in a wonderful riot of colors. In autumn, especially at dawn and dusk, a special spectacle takes place: the deer mating season has begun, and their unmistakable roaring can be heard.
The path leads through a variety of alpine landscapes: forest, wetlands, pastures, dry meadows, steadily ascending above the tree line. The highlight of the hike is offered to you at the very end: from the "Col du Névé de la Rousse" (2,751 m a.s.l.) you have a breathtaking view of the Val Ferret and the Mont Blanc massif.
The route leads back the same way to the starting point. About halfway there is a mountain hut, the Cabane de la Tsisette, where friendly staff serve snacks and meals from the end of June to mid-October.
Highlights of the hike:
- An original and almost untouched valley
- Richness and diversity of flora and fauna: golden eagles, deer, wildflowers, and fascinating geological features.
- Inviting mountain hut halfway through.
Turn-by-turn directions
A few meters from the chairlift station, a large wooden signpost shows the way to the valley "Combe de l’A". In the first section, the path leads through a forest where the slopes are crossed until you finally reach the mountain stream "Torrent de l’A". From here, the route leads back uphill along the stream. Just before the mountain hut, you cross it again. Another ascent over extensive alpine pastures in the Vouasse area leads to the last section up to the pass "Col du Névé de la Rousse", which connects to Val Ferret.
Return the same way to get back to the starting point of the hike.
If you travel by public transport, the start and end of the hike is in Liddes. From there, you go down, cross the stream, and finally reach the hamlet of Dranse. Follow the footpath to Vichères to the car park at the chairlift. Allow an additional 1.5 hours per way.
Start
Vichères, chairlift (1572m)
Destination
Vichères, chairlift (1594m)
Author's recommendation
Technical information
Altitude
2750m
1573m
Ascent
+1239m
Descent
-1216m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Train to Martigny, change to the St-Bernard Express train towards Le Châble. Change at Sembrancher to the train to Orsières. There, change to the post bus which takes you to Liddes. Detailed timetables for trains and post buses are available at sbb.ch.
The start and end point of the hike is in Liddes, which means an extra 4.5 km (1.5 hours) each way.
Approach
Parking
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
