Parcours Bisse de Champex

The tour on the attractive snowshoe trail shows how wild Val d'Arpette can be. Far from the well-trodden paths, the glacier valley with its gnarled Swiss pine forests and snow-covered meadows is a perfect place to enjoy the Alpine landscape in winter.

The three-kilometre snowshoe circuit starts at the «Champex, télé» stop in Champex-Lac. After a few steps, the route briefly follows the Bisse de Champex before entering the forest. It climbs steadily to the highest point at around 1'630 m. The total ascent and descent each amount to around 140 metres, and just under an hour and a half should be allowed for the circuit.

Beyond the rise, the houses of Arpette come into view. This small settlement also marks the beginning of the longer descent. The Durnand d’Arpette then accompanies the snowshoe route for a considerable stretch, first among trees and later alongside more open meadows. In this middle section, the stream sets the course. In the final third, the circuit descends to just under 1'500 m and turns back towards Champex-Lac. Passing between forest and open ground, the route returns to the «Champex, télé» stop via a short counter-climb.