Hikes

Wine route: Branson - Saillon (Stage 1)

Wanderer auf dem Weinweg bei Fully

Saillon

1/12°

The first stage of the wine route starts not far from Martigny and goes through old vineyard terraces to the medieval town of Saillon.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

12.02 km

Duration

3:30 h
Wanderer auf dem Weinweg bei Fully
Wanderer auf dem Weinweg bei Fully
Walliser Weinberge entlang dem Weinweg
Thermalbad in Saillon
Sicht auf die Weinberge in Saillon

Description

The wine route leads on the northern side of the Rhone valley through sunny wine-growing areas and connects picturesque winegrower villages that gave their names to some prestigious Valais wines.

The wine route can be explored in three ways – by car, by bike, or on foot. Accordingly, the route varies somewhat. The hike on foot (Switzerland Mobility / Route 36) covers four stages over 65 km. The first stage is the hike from Branson to Saillon.

The hiking trail runs a little above the wine villages and offers a wonderful view of the Rhone valley floor, the diverse and colorful orchards, and the mountain ranges behind them.

The climate in this area is exceptionally sunny and dry, leading to a Mediterranean vegetation with cacti, fig, olive, and almond trees. Part of the route runs along a nature trail through an old chestnut grove, which is the center of the annual chestnut festival in Fully.

The sleepy and picturesque villages along the hike are full of charm, especially Saillon, which was recently voted the most beautiful village in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Take your time for a walk through the winding alleys and up to the medieval castle with its great view.

Highlights of the hike:

  • Winegrower villages – picturesque, historic, and full of charm
  • Mediterranean flora – thanks to sunny and dry weather
  • Saillon – medieval village with castle ruins and museum. Attractions near the vineyard: Farinet (the smallest vineyard in the world, educational path with stained glass windows), Farinet suspension bridge, open-air theater with falcon flights, thermal baths of Saillon

Turn-by-turn directions

From the starting point on the bridge over the Rhone, the path leads directly up through the vineyards terraces of the village Branson. Above Fully – the place is also called “Capitale de la Petite Arvine” – the hike follows a nature trail, through a chestnut grove and then down to an old historic hydroelectric power plant, which has been converted into a theater and cultural center (La Belle Usine). The wine route does not go into the center of Fully but runs a little above the village through the vineyards and the winegrower villages La Fontaine, Châtaignier, Saxé, and Mazembroz. Finally, it goes somewhat downhill along the Gru canal towards Saillon. One last ascent leads you into the center of the medieval town.

Start

Branson, Pont du Rhône (462m)

Destination

Saillon (509m)

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Author's recommendation

The hike is especially recommended and impressive in autumn when the vineyards turn red, yellow, and golden.

Technical information

Altitude

625m

460m

Ascent

+223m

Descent

-176m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Multi-stage route
  • Scenic
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Family-friendly
  • Cultural/historical interest
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Take the train to Martigny and then the bus to Branson (Pont du Rhône). Timetable information is available on sbb.ch

Approach

Highway A9, exit 21 (Martigny-Fully). Follow the signs to Fully. The hike starts on the Pont du Rhône bridge.

Parking

Parking in Saillon and then bus to the starting point. Follow the local parking guidance system in Saillon.

Equipment

We recommend:

  • Good footwear
  • Weather-dependent clothing: always carry a waterproof vest
  • Headgear
  • 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

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 and completeness of the information on this website. Assess your own skills and fitness well. Use of the different routes is generally 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 signs 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 radiation at high altitudes can be very strong, even in cloudy weather.
  • Plan your hike carefully: Consider the required fitness level of all participants, weather forecasts, and season dependencies.
  • The 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. Avoid being alone if possible.
  • Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
  • Observe warning signs indicating dangers at riverbanks, along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: Water levels can rise quickly and without warning.

Additional information

More information about the destination:

Literature

Inquire at the Fully tourism office about local sights.

Maps

SwissTopo topographic maps: 1:25,000: 1325 Sembrancher / 1305 Dent de Morcles

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

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