Hikes

Tour de la Seya

Blumenwiese mit Aussicht auf auf die Bergkette Combins

Ovronnaz

0/7°

Panoramic walk along the high ridge linking La Seya and Grand Garde, famous for its variety of alpine flowers. Scenic chairlift ride up; gentle walk down to resort through forests and pastures.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

8.1 km

Duration

2:59 h

Blumenwiese mit Bergspitzen im Hintergrund

Description

The views from the high ridge west of Ovronnaz are mesmerising. At La Seya (2,182 m), at the northern end of the ridge, hikers enjoy a 360-degree view from the Finsteraarhorn to Mont-Blanc, including 35 peaks higher than 4,000 m. Grand Garde (2,145 m), at the southern end of the ridge, offers panoramic views of the whole Rhône valley, from the depths of the Lötschental to the sparkling Trient Glacier.

The high ridge is also the focus of a fascinating botanical trail. Enjoy an enchanting variety of flowers including narcissus anemone, alpine gentian, elder-flowered orchid and alpine pasqueflower – with details at information posts along the trail.

The Tour de La Seya begins at the top of the Jorasse chairlift with a gentle climb to the alpine pastures of Petit Pré and a steeper ascent to the imposing cross of the Seya, the highest point of the walk. The trail then leads south along the length of the ridge to Grand Garde.

The path back to Ovronnaz follows a clearly marked trail via the alpine pastures of Quieu and Odonne. Just above the bottom of the Jorasse chairlift, the path passes the Centre Sportif Cantonal: the leading sports training centre for the whole of Valais, used by schools, clubs and associations for a wide variety of sports camps.

Highlights

Glorious ridge walk: thrilling views of the Rhône valley and snow-capped peaks
Scenic chairlift ride up
Abundance of alpine flowers – info panels along the way

Turn-by-turn directions

The trail begins at the top of the Jorasse chairlift. The Restaurant de Jorasse (1,940 m) has a large panoramic terrace as well as a fun children’s playground. Set off southwards in the direction of the meadows of Petit Pré; a further climb of another 30 minutes leads across larch forest and its 1,000 flowers of all colours up to La Seya.

The well-marked trail generally follows the crest of the ridge. To reach Grand Garde at the end of the ridge, hikers have to negotiate a rock fitted with chains; walkers who suffer vertigo can take a variant path instead down to the pastures of Quieu, and rejoin the main route there. The final stretch of trail is a leisurely descent through fragrant pine forest and across sunny meadows back to Ovronnaz.

Start

Jorasse (chairlift summit station) (1939m)

Destination

Ovronnaz village (1379m)

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Author's recommendation

Soothe sore muscles with a relaxing visit to the resort’s thermal spa, Les Bains d’Ovronnaz.

Technical information

Altitude

2189m

1380m

Ascent

+287m

Descent

-847m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Regional train from Sion or Martigny to Riddes. From Riddes station, take the postal bus to Ovronnaz. The Jorasse chairlift is about 400 m walk from the bus stop. All information about train and bus timetables can be found at sbb.ch.

Approach

A9 motorway, exit 24 (Riddes). Follow signs to Leytron, then Ovronnaz.

Parking

Large car park (free) at bottom station of Jorasse chairlift. Follow the local car park routeing in Ovronnaz.

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:

Ovronnaz

Literature

A plant identification leaflet is available in high-quality printed form free of charge at the gondola ticket office. The tourist office in Ovronnaz has got brochures and information material about hiking in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo maps 1:25’000: 1305 Dent de Morcles

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

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