bisses

Strolling the Alps at the height of ease

AN ALTERNATIVE GUIDE TO MOUNTAIN WALKING

If you thought that it was impossible to walk in the mountains without climbing, think again! Here is how to walk at the top with minimum effort. There are nearly 100 km of “bisse” paths around Nendaz which allow very easy walking with little variation in altitude. The “bisses” are historic irrigation channels, fed by the river Printse, which eventually make their way to the Rhone at Aproz. Most of these streams still irrigate orchards, vineyards, crops and meadows in the area and all 8 “bisses” have well maintained paths running beside them. An excellent map is available from the Tourist Office (info@nendaz.ch or download here) which details all you need to know including restaurants within striking distance of each “bisse”, picnic spots and summer lifts.

The length of each “bisse” varies from 5km (Bisse d’en Bas) to 32 km (Bisse de Saxon). Each “bisse” maintains it own altitude and together they create a network which covers the entire area from La Tzoumaz to Siviez, beyond Veysonnaz to Mayens-de Sion, Les Agettes and Salins and further to Thyon. With such an extensive network you can create your own daily itinerary without retracing your footseps. You can do this by judicious use of a lift to switch, say, from a lower “bisse” to a higher one or by starting with a bus ride from Nendaz to either Veysonnaz or Siviez in the morning and spending the rest of the day returning on foot.

For example, to explore the Grand Bisse de Vex (12km at 1505m), originally constructed in 1453 and fully restored in 2001, take the shuttle bus to Veysonnaz and walk back on the Bisse de Vex and then either on the Bisse du Milieu (at 1440m) or the Bisse Vieux (1560m) to Nendaz. Bisse-bus details for summer 2010 are:

Nendaz – Veysonnaz:
8 June to 24 June: every Tuesday and Thursday
28 June to 20 August: Monday to Friday
24 August to 28 October: every Tuesday and Thursday
The bus leaves from the Tourist Office at 10am and you need to book the day before. Adults cost CHF 9 and children CHF 6.

To explore the Ancien Bisse de Chervé (13 km), you could start with the bus to Siviez. Then take the Novelly chairlift to 2300m and you will find yourself on the highest and most spectacular “bisse” in Nendaz. From there you can access the Lac du Grand Desert (2642m) or head in the other direction towards Thyon (2000m). Bisse-bus details are:

Nendaz – Siviez:
22 September to 29 October: every Wednesday and Friday.
The bus leaves from the Tourist Office at 10am and 5pm. You need to book the day before.
Adults cost CHF 6 and children CHF 4.
In addition, there is a regular bus service from the Nendaz lift station to Siviez and back. It runs every day from 26 June to 19 September.
Depart Nendaz: 08.45; 10.20; 11.15; 15.15; 17.27.
Depart Siviez: 09.05; 10.47 11.45; 15.55; 16.50; 17.50

Bisse-walkers, hill walkers, and sightseers can take advantage of some key lifts which are open this summer as follows:

Tracouet:
26 June to 24 October: every day
Novelly (Siviez – Cambatseline) : 3 July to 22 August: every day

24 August

18 - 20 September
25 - 26 September
2 October to 24 October: every day
Tortin (Siviez – Tortin): 3 July to 22 August: every day
28 August to 19 September: weekends only
20 September
Mont-Fort: 3 July to 22 August: every day
28 August to 19 September: weekends only
20 September

Happy walking!