Via Farinetta
Saillon
1/11°
The Via Farinetta leads through the wild and mysterious Salentze Gorge, from which the thermal water for the thermal baths in Saillon also originates. This via ferrata highlights the cultural and natural wealth of the municipalities of Saillon and Leytron.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
6.29 kmDuration
4:00 h
Description
As the first via ferrata in the Valais Rhone Valley, this route is particularly demanding with a length of about one kilometer and an elevation difference of 330 meters. This via ferrata has an increasing level of difficulty and consists of three parts:
- The first part leads up through the Salentze Gorge and is rated K3-K4/C – a fairly high difficulty level.
- The second part is already airier and physically more demanding with a difficulty of K4/C – a high difficulty level.
- The last part is rated K5/D as very demanding. This requires advanced skills to overcome the overhangs and steep passages encountered.
After each section, there is the possibility to exit the via ferrata.
Turn-by-turn directions
From the Saillon St-Laurent bus stop, walk to the Salentze Bridge and follow the river upstream. If you arrive by car, you can park at Place Farinet and then follow the white signs "Via Farinetta".
From Les Moulins, cross the wooden bridge and then take the path directly to your left that runs along the river – this is not shown on the map. When the forest path reaches the road, continue left. You will then reach a fork where a sign labeled "Grottes des géants" is located. Here, follow the path along the river to a bridge that you cross. Climb the ladder and some natural steps up to the start of the via ferrata.
The via ferrata is closed annually from early December to late March.
Start
Thermal baths in Saillon (467m)
Destination
Thermal baths in Saillon (467m)
Author's recommendation
The Via Farinetta is especially recommended in summer due to the pleasantly cool temperatures in the gorges.
Technical information
Altitude
817m
465m
Ascent
+400m
Descent
-353m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Take Postauto 311 from Sion, Martigny, or Riddes to the Saillon St-Laurent stop.
Approach
Parking
You can park your car in the free parking lot at the Bains de Saillon or at Place Farinet – about a 10-minute walk from the Route de la Salentze – Several parking spots are located along the Route de la Salentze where parking is free but limited to five hours. Don't forget to display your parking disc.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion