Hikes

Share

Hikes

Geological hike to the Vieux-Emosson dam

Panoramic hike taking in 240-million-year-old reptile footprints and two high-altitude dams. Option to ride a thrilling world-record trio of mountain railways to reach the start.

  • Difficulty

    difficult

  • Length

    12.3 km

  • Duration

    5:00 h

  • Show on map
  1. Slide 1
  2. Slide 2
  3. Slide 3

This scenic geological trail explores the fascinating history of the formation of the Alps. At the trail’s far end, a vast slab of rock carries the fossilised footprints of crocodile-like reptiles that roamed the earth more than 240 million years ago. The journey to the start of the route, at the top of the Emosson dam, is an adventure in itself. Hikers can drive or take the bus up, but it is far more impressive to ride up from Le Châtelard VS on the trio of mountain railways run by VerticAlp Emosson (closed in 2022).  First comes the Funiculaire du Châtelard, the world’s steepest 2-cabin funicular, with gradients of up to 87%. At the top, passengers change on to Le Train Panoramique, a narrow-gauge railway that skirts dramatically above the deep gorges of Le Bouqui, offering superb views of the Mont-Blanc massif. Finally the Minifunic is a 2-cabin mini-funicular that glides up to the top of dam at 1,965 m. The Emosson Dam, opened in 1976, is the third-tallest in Valais at 180m, and retains Switzerland’s second largest reservoir in terms of capacity: 225 million cubic metres. The hike also takes in a second dam: Vieux-Emosson, which entered operation in 1955 to provide electricity for the Swiss railway network. Recently the dam wall was raised by another 20 m as part of a spectacular engineering project, currently under construction, whose heart lies deep in the rock under hikers’ feet. The pioneering scheme, due to enter operation in 2019, is based on an innovative new underground power plant. Two vertical tunnels, each 100 m taller than the Eiffel Tower, will carry water between the two reservoirs. A vast, cathedral-like underground chamber will house six reversible turbines that can generate electricity when needed – or store energy at times of low demand by pumping water back up to the higher reservoir. This flexibility makes the new Nant de Drance power plant the ideal complement to the new green energy sources – all weather-dependent – on which Switzerland is building its future.       Highlights  Thrilling ride up to start of walk on trio of mountain railways Dramatic alpine scenery – two dams, two reservoirs Restaurant / mountain refuge at each dam The oldest fossil tracks of vertebrates in Switzerland

Available offers

Your accommodation in a click

On our e-Shop, you can easily find and book the accommodation of your dreams from a wide selection of offers throughout the canton.
Book now
Show elevation profile

Turn-by-turn directions

The hike begins at the top of the Emosson dam.

To walk the trail as described in the official leaflet, follow the signs as follows: Outward: Vieux-Emosson – «Site à Empreintes» Return: Emosson par la Gorge de la Veudale 

This official route starts by following the shores of the Emosson dam, then climbing to the Cabane du Vieux-Emosson (2,187 m). From here, the trail climbs to the second dam, crosses its crest, and leads above the shores of the Lac du Vieux Emosson to the fossil site (2,400 m). Hikers then return to the start of the trail via the wild and dramatic Gorge de la Veudale – the most challenging section of the loop.

Easier variants of the route are also possible – e.g. walking there and back via the Lac du Vieux Emosson (avoiding the Gorge de la Veudale), and or/ following the small road along the shore of the Lac d’Emosson all the way to the Cabane du Vieux-Emosson.

Note that the fossil tracks are visible from about mid-July, once snows have melted.

Start: Emosson dam (1965 m)
Destination: Emosson dam (1965 m)

Author's recommendation

From late-July to late-August, an expert guide or geologist welcomes hikers to the fossil site every day to reveal its secrets.

Technical information

  • Altitude

    2497 m 1932 m

  • Ascent

    788 m

  • Descent

    788 m

  • Technique

    Bewertung: 4 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Stamina

    Bewertung: 5 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Experience

    Bewertung: 6 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Landscape

    Bewertung: 6 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

Best time of year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Circular route
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Cultural/historical interest
  • Cableway ascent/descent

Public transport

Train to Martigny; change on to Mont-Blanc Express.

Either dismount at Finhaut and catch postal bus to the Emosson dam; or stay on Mont-Blanc Express until Le Châtelard VS and travel up to the dam with VerticAlp Emosson (funicular, then narrow-gauge railway, then funicular).

Find full timetable information at cff.ch and verticalp-emosson.ch

Approach

A9 motorway, exit 22 (Gd St-Bernard), follow signs for Chamonix (France). Drive over pass of Col de la Forclaz, drop down to Trient, but before French border look out for turning right towards Finhaut-Emosson. (To travel up to the top of the dam via VerticAlp, do not take this turning, but instead continue on the main road to Le Châtelard VS and park there.)

Parking

Large car park at top of dam

Equipment

We recommend: 

  • good footwear
  • clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
  • hat or cap
  • sunscreen
  • bottle for water
  • picnic
  • camera
  • binoculars (optional)
  • hiking poles (optional)
  • printout of this hike (click “Print” icon, to download) 

For certain walks:

  • Swimwear

Safety information

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.

 

For all hikes: 

  • Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on “Print” icon, top right of this page.
  • Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
  • Close gates after passing through.
  • Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
  • Do not leave any waste in nature.  

For mountain hikes:

  • Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
  • Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
  • Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time. 

For high-altitude hikes:

  • Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
  • Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
  • Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.

Additional information

More information about the destination: 

Maps

SwissTopo maps 1:25’000: 1324 Barberine