Grand Bisse d'Ayent
Overview
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Distance 12 km
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Duration 3 h 10 min
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Ascent 150 m
Intro
The Bisse d’Ayent is one of the most beautiful irrigation channels in the Valais. The hike along this historic water conduit begins at the impressive Tseuzier dam. The highlight is the reconstructed channel built of boards that runs along the vertical cliff at Torrent-Croix.
Description
High above Sion in one of Switzerland’s driest regions is the Grand Bisse d'Ayent irrigation channel. Built in 1442 it draws water directly from the Lienne river below the wall of the Tseuzier dam (1777 m). The historic water conduit which is explored on this hike, irrigates the hills and vineyards of the towns of Ayent and Grimisuat. It carries water between June and October.
The start near the dam can be reached by taking public transportation from Sion. The first 2 km or so in the Lienne Valley are very steep. Since the dam was completed in 1957, the upper part of the Bisse has been drained, but traces of the channel are still evident along the way. The Les Follés passage where the channel follows the rocky ridge is not for the faint-hearted. It is not recommended for anyone who suffers from vertigo. After the Le Samarin bus stop, where the trail crosses the road, the channel carries water. The path now follows the burbling channel with a gradient of only 1.5 ‰ in some places.
But then the spectacular part begins: a passage of symbolic importance of this channel is the one in the rock face of Torrent-Croix. The incredible work of our forefathers is particularly striking here. They built the conduit on the mountainside with their bare hands, just a narrow channel made of boards and hugging the rocks. It was replaced in 1831 with a 95-m tunnel through which the water now flows. In 2019 the old channel was memorialised on the Swiss 100-franc bill and now the meaning is mostly sentimental. Still, this passage is head-spinning because there is a hole in the middle of the tunnel leading to a platform. The entire structure outside of the mountain can be clearly seen from there and it makes us understand the dangers to which the builders were exposed. You can end the tour in Anzère or continue directly to Arbaz. The destination is at Etang Long, a pond in the middle of the village, which is popular with fishermen.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Tseuzier, Barrage
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Arbaz, Etang-Long
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| Ascent |
150 m
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| Descent |
620 m
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| Distance |
12 km
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| Duration |
3 h 10 min
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| Duration back |
3 h 40 min
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
With panoramic view
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| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
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Quick Facts
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