BrochRando 12 ChampexAlesse-StMau ANG

Trail

Collonges wind turbine
The inhabitants of Collonges and Dorénaz have been living alongside a wind turbine since 2005.
Called “Cime de l'Est", this wind turbine is a pioneer in more ways than one. It is the first to have been installed in Valais and to be situated in a deep valley. It is also the first 2 MW machine in Switzerland, making it the most powerful in the country. In 2020, it holds the record for cumulative production for a Swiss wind turbine.

Fountain

Picnic area

Dents de Morcles
With its 2,969 m above sea level, the Dent de Morcles, located on the border between Valais and the canton of Vaud, is the highest mountain in the region.
The Martinets glacier clings to its shaded side. It impresses with its crevices located at the bottom of vertical walls, several hundred metres high.
Scree, acrobatic passages, steep terrain: the Dent de Morcles is not easy. But you will be rewarded for all your efforts when you reach the top, with a magnificent panoramic view.

The White House

View of Saint-Maurice
The origins of Saint-Maurice go back to the first centuries of our era. Saint-Maurice is the seat of the Abbey of Saint-Maurice d'Agaune, which is the name of the city in Roman times.
Classed as a protected site of national importance, Saint-Maurice is today a place of exception and excursions.
Situated by the Rhône, this small town, full of charm and character, stretches to the foot of a majestic cliff. At the heart of the rocks hide unusual secrets, buried over time by man and nature.

The Pissechèvre
Seen through the trees, the leaping and spectacular Pissechèvre (not as well known as the Pissevache waterfall, located opposite, in the village of Vernayaz) descends the slopes of the Dents de Morcles massif.
Appreciated by climbing enthusiasts, the Pissechèvre pillar has an interesting route of several lengths.

Maison de la Pierre
Built in 1764 by Etienne-Louis Macognin de la Pierre, this house is made up of two main buildings, with two levels on the ground floor, which are connected by corridors and galleries of arcades superimposed creating an interior courtyard. There is no shops but only cellars on the ground floor. Free access.
Today there are apartments and a boarding school for young girls.

Saint-Sigismond Church
The Saint-Sigismond church succeeded a funeral chapel from the 6th or 7th century, dedicated to Saint-Jean.
Saint-Sigismond, founder of the Abbey of Saint-Maurice in the year 515, was massacred by the Frankish king Clodomir. His remains were brought back and deposited in the Saint-Jean chapel, which has become a parish since the middle of the 12th century.
The current building dates from 1715.

Mountain bike downhill
It is the reference track in Valais for the inter-season, since those of the ski resorts only open between June and the end of September.
It is not uncommon to meet Swiss champions and some big names testing equipment in preparation for the World Cup.
The cable car can transport bikes.

Dorénaz cable car
The cable car departs for Champex-d'Alesse in Dorénaz. It is easily reachable thanks to the adjacent car park and bus stop.
This cable car is also often used by mountain bikers who love the descent between Champex-d'Alesse and Dorénaz.
Timetable of the cable car on the site: www.cff.ch
or on the Dorénaz municipality site: www.dorenaz.ch

Saint-Maurice Castle
Built at the end of the 15th century, completely destroyed by fire at the end of the 17th century and quickly rebuilt, the Saint-Maurice castle is conveniently placed, like a lock, at the entrance to the Rhône Valley.
The castle is today a place dedicated to receptions of the Valais State Council, as well as to exhibitions of drawings, press drawings and comics.

Abbey of Saint-Maurice
The current Basilica dates from the 17th century. It is the ninth church established on this site. The foundations of the previous ones are visible on the Martolet site.
In 1946, the Basilica was restored. Several works have been undertaken, including the extension of the east side, which consists of a succession of side chapels. They have magnificent stained glass windows by Edmond Bille. The latter is known for the glass roof he made in the Town Hall in Martigny.

Beginning of the path to the Fairy’s Cave
Perched above Saint-Maurice, the Fairy’s Cave dominates the Rhône Valley. It is the first tourist cave in Switzerland to be open to the public and has offered, for more than a century, a natural and wonderful spectacle. The stone and the water excite the imagination of the visitors and make this trip unforgettable.
After half a kilometre of an educational trail in a lighted gallery, the underground walk leads to a small lake fed by a vertiginous waterfall.

Dufour tower
The fortifications of Saint-Maurice were built as early as 1831, at a time when the political and military situation in Europe was in turmoil and the threat of war was upon us.
This tower, called Dufour tower or castellated tower, was built under the direction of general and engineer Guillaume Henri Dufour. It made it possible to defend the access road to the redoubt (fortification structure) of the Vérossaz plateau.

Bronze model
Here is a bronze reconstruction of the city of Saint-Maurice.

Bus stop
Name of the stop: St-Maurice, Gare
From this stop, the bus can take you to Vérossaz (La Doey), Lavey-les-Bains or Mex.
Timetables on the site: www.cff.ch

Fountain
This fountain is located in the corner of the Saint-Maurice Post building, near the train station.

SBB Saint-Maurice station
Timetables on the site: www.cff.ch
To reach the start of the trail, take the regional train to Evionnaz, then the bus to the car park of the Dorénaz cable car.

Path of the steles
This stele representing Saint-Augustin is the second of a trail embellished with five stained glass windows embedded in blocks of granite and representing the great Saints who marked the history of the Abbey.

Watercourse

Lavey-les-Bains Chapel
This small chapel is linked to the Grand Hôtel des Bains. It mainly celebrate weddings. It can accommodate up to 100 people seated and 50 people standing.

View
Magnificent panoramic view between Lake Geneva and Martigny.

L’Aboyeu torrent
The term "Aboyeu" in French means "to bark". It is a metaphor to describe this noisy torrent.

Oratory
You are just below the Dent de Morcles.

Path and forest

Fountain
You will pass this fountain on the way, in the hamlet of Eslex.
The hamlet is located between Lavey-les-Bains and Morcles and has been part of the municipality of Lavey-Morcles for over one hundred years.

The Rhône
The Rhône is a European river, 812 kilometres long.
The source of the river Rhône is in Switzerland, at the Rhône glacier (2,209 m above sea level) at the eastern end of Valais, in the massif of the Uri Alps.
In Switzerland, the Rhône has undergone numerous improvements aimed at controlling its course and reducing the harmful effects of flooding.

Works of art in the hotel’s garden
Since April 2018, the park of the Grand Hôtel des Bains in Lavey has exhibited the masterful works of the artist Franck K.
This exhibition offers several imposing artistic pieces in the outdoor spaces and smaller sculptures inside. It’s an invitation to discover a unique artistic universe, based on a play on colours, materials and reflections. It integrates remarkably with the place and the environment around it.

Saint-Maurice Tourist Office
Saint-Maurice, a small charming town, stretches out at the foot of a majestic cliff.
Both man and nature have buried their secrets in the heart of the rock, it's up to you to discover them... Concerts, theatre and many other events await your presence. Welcome to the land of Agaune!
To contact the Saint-Maurice Tourist Office:
Email: info@saint-maurice.ch
Site: www.saint-maurice.ch

Grand-Rue
At the end of the trail, take the opportunity to visit this charming city of Saint-Maurice and watch life go by on one of the terraces of the Grand-Rue.
It is populated by a series of beautiful civil buildings, including restaurants, bars, cafes and small shops.

Benches and fountain
If you want to take a short break, refresh yourself by the fountain and sit for a few moments of peace and quiet on the benches in the shade of the plane trees. The Saint-Sigismond church is just behind this square.

Path of the steles
This stele representing Saint-Maurice is the third of a trail embellished with five stained glass windows embedded in blocks of granite and representing the great Saints who marked the history of the Abbey.

Picnic area and games
Whether it is the start of the trail or not, children can have a great time on this play area available to all.

Educational panel
The Follatères nature reserve is a fairly well-known site, in particular because you can observe plant and animal species not found anywhere else in Switzerland, or even in Europe.
You will also pass through an area covered with steppes, oak forests, mixed forests and scree.

Champex-d'Alesse cable car
A fountain is located at the arrival of the cable car in Champex-d'Alesse. The ideal moment to fill your water bottles!
On arrival, there is also the shelter of the cable car, where walkers can spend a little time. It has a fireplace, three grills, six tables, benches, a fully-equipped kitchen and bar fridges.
Timetable of the cable car on the site: www.cff.ch
or on the Dorénaz municipality site: www.dorenaz.ch

Pedestrian paths
Indication of the different pedestrian trails in Dorénaz and its surroundings.
The booklet "Dorénaz randonnées", available at the cable car station, will give you all the information relating to all the possible excursions, which will suit both families with small children and experienced hikers.

Bus stop
Name of the stop: Lavey-les-Bains, Et. thermal
From this stop, you can take the bus which takes you to St-Maurice.
Timetables on the site: www.cff.ch

4-star Grand Hôtel des Bains in Lavey
The Grand Hôtel des Bains**** enjoys a privileged location facing the majestic chain of the Dents du Midi. The 68 rooms, suites and junior suites open onto the hotel's shaded park and have been completely renovated with extreme refinement to offer you comfort, calm and luxury.
Why not take advantage of the thermal baths, the warmest thermal water in Switzerland. At night, with its illuminations, the site is all the more magical ...

Bridge over the Rhône
Built in the 12th century, this medieval stone bridge links Saint-Maurice to Bex. Its construction is the work of Jean Pianot.
It is located in a gorge made up of a glacial lock which bars the entrance to the Rhône Valley. The bridge is dominated by the castle of Saint-Maurice, which controlled its passage.
The Dufour fortifications, located on either side of the bridge, have the role of protecting it (walk 14).
Today, this bridge is listed as a Swiss cultural object of national importance.

Path of the steles
This stained glass window representing St-Sigismund is part of the path of the steles. This path is marked by 5 steles made of stained glass embedded in blocks of granite in honour of the great Saints who marked the history of the Abbey.