TOUR OF THE VAL DE NENDAZ NENDAZ TREKKING 1
1. GENERAL INFORMATION Spend your nights in the heart of the mountains, in cabins situated in the middle of idyllic sites between Veysonnaz and Nendaz. Let yourself be amazed by majestuous landscapes, sleep in friendly lodges, walk at your own rhythm and stop on the way for a little snack. The effective length of the daily walks (without stops) varies between 4 and 5.30 hours. This tour is intended for the average but practised hiker (no technical difficulty). It is pleasant and well-marked. It is accessible to families and can be covered in 3 or 4 days from June to September according to the conditions. 1.1. THE PATH The total length being about 55 km, it meanders along marked paths from cabin to cabin between Veysonnaz and Nendaz. Download your trail : 1.2. BENEFITS AND VALIDITY 1 walking map 1:25 000 of the 4 Vallées per reservation Trip by shuttle bus from Nendaz to Veysonnaz, departure at 9.20am from Nendaz Tourisme 3 nights in a cabin (dormitory), tourist taxe included Full board without drinks (3 breakfasts, 3 picnics and 3 evening meals). Think of bringing your picnic for the 1st day! Reduction on the price of the ascents by telecabine in Veysonnaz (Les Mayens) and in Siviez (Plan du Fou). CHF 6 per person The package is valid July and August according to the weather conditions. 2
1.3. THE BACKPACK In order to benefit fully from your hike and not forget anything, we suggest a list of equipment which could be useful to you during your stay in the mountains. Basic equipment Backpack + waterproof cover for it Sleeping bag sheet Hiking poles Pocket torch or headlamp (with charged batteries) Mini first-aid kit (not forgetting a product against blisters) Hygiene kit teeth + body, sun cream, lip balm Absorbant towel for the shower Handkerchiefs and toilet paper Earplugs against noise Survival blanket Compass + map 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 Water flask, thermos or water bag Cereal bars or little snacks. Clothes Hiking boots Lightweight trousers Technical T-shirt Down jacket or fleece jacket Rain-proof garment (caution, the weather changes very fast in the mountains!) Socks and spare clothes Hat or cap Sunglasses. Various Photo camera ID papers, a little money in cash Charged mobile phone A few plastic bags to protect your belongings in case of rain Note the telephone numbers of the cabins and the emergency number intended for people who are ill, who had an accident or are in distress : 144 => This list is just informative. Each person should adapt it according to his/her own needs. 3
1.4. LODGINGS Spending a night in a mountain cabin is a unique and unforgettable experience. The wardens and their staff look forward to welcoming you on your visit. 1 st night : cabane d Essertze (Val des Dix) www.essertze.ch +41 79 368 96 08 2 nd night : cabane St-Laurent www.cabanestlaurent.ch +41 27 288 50 05 3 rd night : cabane de Balavaux www.nendaz.ch/tourisme/cabane-balavaux-4579.html +41 27 289 52 90 1.5. OPENING OF THE LIFTS Lift of «les Mayens» in Veysonnaz 9.30 16.30 Open every day from 30th june to 26th august 2018 Lift of «Plan du Fou» in Siviez 9.00 16.30 Open every day from 7th july to 19th august Open the week-end of 25th august 4
1.6. DEPARTURE POINT NENDAZ Nendaz is accessible : By train and bus : arrival at the railway station of Sion. Post buses regularly serve Nendaz from the station of Sion. Consult the timetables and tariffs on www.cff.ch By car : Nendaz is situated at 15 km from a motorway exit, at only 20 minutes by road from the town of Sion. Take the motorway A9 as far as the exit Sion- Ouest/Nendaz. The direction "Nendaz" is then indicated on the signposts. It is possible to park one s car free for several days at the Parking Pré de la Patinoire, situated in the centre of the resort (1st exit at the roundabout of Haute- Nendaz, then turn left after the Coop). 2. THE HIKING TRIP 5
1 ST DAY - DEPARTURE HAUTE-NENDAZ (1,365 M) Hiking trip : Distance : Duration : Changes in altitude : Nendaz Veysonnaz cabane d Essertze 11 km Estimated walking time 2 hours (with ascent by telecabine) Estimated walking time 4.30 hours (without ascent by telecabine) + 1035 m / - 200 m The trip from Nendaz to Veysonnaz is made by shuttle bus. The trip from Nendaz to Veysonnaz is made by shuttle bus. The departure is at 9.20am in front of Nendaz Tourisme. Be on time, the shuttle doesn t wait for those who are late! Your hike begins in front of the tourist office of Veysonnaz. Constructed in 1947 and renovated in 1999, the mountain restaurant Les Caboulis is situated above the picturesque village of Veysonnaz, at the altitude of 1,450 m, and is 15 minutes from your place of departure. The restaurant offers dishes prepared with local products, accompanied by wines of excellent quality. In summer, donkey rides are organized. Climb next in the direction of Thyon (2,000 m) on a magnificent path which goes through the forest of Magrappé and arrives at the Mayens de l'ours before reaching the plain of Thyon (2,000 m). From there, the path becomes more wild before arriving at the Gouilles (little lakes) d'essertze, then finally going down to the cabane d'essertze (2,191 m) in which you will spend your first night. To avoid the height difference of the climb, you have the possibility of taking the telecabine des Mayens, departing from Veysonnaz. From the summit of the telecabine, 2 hours' walking will suffice to reach the cabin. 1 ST NIGHT CABANE D ESSERTZE (2,191 M) Cabane d Essertze information : the evening meal is served from 7pm I slippers available 6
2 ND DAY Hiking trip : Distance : Duration : Changes in altitude : Cabane d'essertze - cabane St-Laurent 13.6 km Estimated walking time 5 hours + 661 m / - 380 m Leave for the conquest of the summit of the Mont-Rouge (2,491 m). After this ascent, you will have an opportunity to quench your thirst at the restaurant Les Chottes (2,209 m). Then continue in the direction of the alpine pasture of la Combyre-Meina, where you will be able to discover the production of the famous raclette cheese (which can be bought on the spot). At the restaurant of Combatseline (2,238 m), profit from the magnificent panorama which opens up before you. Continue along the Bisse de Chervé which constitutes a spectacular mountain path with a sumptuous view over the Cleuson dam. At the end of the lac de Cleuson, after 40 min. ascent, is the cabane St-Laurent in which you will spend your second night. 2 ND NIGHT CABANE ST-LAURENT (2,485 M) Cabane St-Laurent information : the evening meal is served at 7pm slippers available 7
3 RD DAY Hiking trip : Distance : Duration : Changes in altitude : Cabane St-Laurent cabane de Balavaux 14.7 km Estimated walking time 4 hours (with ascent by lift) Estimated walking time 5.30 hours (without lift) + 835 m / - 1260 m Walk along the edge of the lac de Cleuson, with its turquoise-coloured waters, and continue in the direction of Siviez (1,733 m). Climb up to the Plan du Fou (2,436 m), either on foot or with the telecabine departing from Siviez. Option to eat at the summit. Reach Tracouet (2,200 m), passing by the famous Dent de Nendaz (2,463 m) and profit from a magnificent panorama of the lac Noir, the Alps and the Rhône valley. You also have the option of sitting down for a meal at the restaurant of Tracouet. The departure of the panoramic path is just in front of it. Descend as far as the cabane de Balavaux. 3 RD NIGHT CABANE DE BALAVAUX (2,038 M) Cabane de Balavaux information : the evening meal is served at 7pm slippers available shower available 8
4 TH DAY Hiking trip : Distance : Duration : Changes in altitude : Cabane de Balavaux Haute-Nendaz 13.5 km Estimated walking time 4 hours + 0 m / - 700 m Admire the biggest larches in Europe and join the Bisse de Saxon, the longest bisse of the Valais. Follow the bisse until Pra da Dzeu or until le Bourlâ before descending to Nendaz. Pra da Dzeu means "meadow in the forest" in patois. This idyllic place gives calm and serenity to walkers. This place is crossed by the Pine cone path renovated in 2016. ARRIVAL HAUTE-NENDAZ (1,365 M) 9
3. TARIFFS AND RESERVATION 3.1. TARIFFS Package price Adult (from 14 years) CHF 230 Child (from 8 13 years) CHF 170 The price includes : 1 shuttle bus trip from Nendaz to Veysonnaz 3 nights in cabins, tourist taxe included Full board without drinks (3 breakfasts, 3 picnics and 3 evening meals) 1 walking map 1:25 000 of 4 Vallées per reservation. 3.2 PAYMENT You have the option of paying by bank transfer or by bill. Banque Cantonale du Valais Société de Développement 1997 Haute-Nendaz IBAN : CH07 0076 5000 A082 6340 4 CODE SWIFT (bank transfer outside Switzerland) : BCVSCH2LXXX Warning : no reservation will be confirmed before advance payment of the entire package. 3.3 RESERVATION To reserve your stay, please use the online form : www.nendaz.ch/trekking_en. A contract is concluded with the acceptance of the reservation by Nendaz Tourisme. 10
4. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Reservation Registration and payment obligatory by payment bulletin with proof of payment or directly at the reception desk of the tourist office. Payment on invoice is possible not later than 7 working days before the date of reservation No departure will be tolerated without payment in advance No minimum number of participants required The shuttle bus Nendaz Veysonnaz doesn t wait for those who are late Package prices are confirmed at the conclusion of the contract. The prices quoted are per person, in Swiss Franc, in a dormitory, VAT and tourist taxes included Bank or credit card charges are at the client's expense Total payment of the reservation must be effected at the latest 30 days before departure. If the reservation is made later, the payment must be made immediately. Cancellation By the client In case of bad weather, the participants alone decide whether to maintain or cancel their tour In case of illness, the client informs the organizer at least 48 hours in advance and is required to transmit a valid certificate in order to be reimbursed If a cancellation happens during the tour, the client gets in contact with the reserved cabins and with the organiser. Cancellation fees In case of cancellation before departure, the following costs are charged : 10% up to 2 days before departure, 50% 1 day before departure, 100% the day of departure. Change of reservation Any modification must be announced at the latest 48 hours before departure to the responsible body Modifications of dates are possible according to the availabilities of the hosts In case of absence of the client on the day of departure, no reimbursement will be paid and the tour can not be replaced. Insurance Cancellation insurance is recommended. It is not included in the price of the package. Responsibility The organizers decline all responsibility in case of accident, damage or theft during the stay. This hike necessitates good physical condition, the practice of hiking in the mountains and adequate equipment in case of bad weather. Each participant is required to inform him/herself of the weather forecast before his/her departure. 11
Nendaz Tourisme Rte de la Télécabine 1 - +41 (0)27 289 55 89 info@nendaz.ch 12