Sentier du Bisse

A short and easy walk from Champex Lac, taking the well signposted and good paths beside the Bisse. These are the water channels made to control and route the flow of water for irrigation purposes. The path returns to Champex via part of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) path.

Technical sheet

2403500
A Orsières walk posted on 11/08/19 by Alwayswiththehills. Last update : 10/09/19
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.10 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 153 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 154 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,622 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,467 m
Good path beside the Bisse

Description

Park in Champex Lac at the parking beside the lake opposite the Hotel du Glacier. If full, there is plenty of parking at the ski lift near point (5) but if you park there, you will shorten the walk.

(S/E) From the parking, take the obvious path towards the lake, pass a large information board and look out for a path across the marsh just after the small stream.

(1) Turn right onto the path which runs beside the stream and then up towards the woods. It bends right and crosses some wooden boards to a section with a wider stream/pond on the left and marshland behind that. At the end of this section, there is a path on the left.

(2) Turn left and follow the path up through the trees to emerge on a road leading to the Relais d'Arpette.

(5) Cross over the road and follow the grassy track down to pass under the ski lift where there is a signpost for the Sentier du Bisse. Follow the path with the stream initially on your left but as you walk uphill, there are steps and bridges which cross the Bisse at various points. You will see how it is has been made and will pass some sluice gates. Eventually, you will ascend to a junction with the TMB path.

(3) Turn right and continue to follow the path uphill beside the Bisse until you arrive at the road just before the Relais d'Arpette.

(4) At the road, turn around and back track to (3).

(3) Then, take the right hand track (TMB) which descends above the Bisse and eventually joining the Sentier du Bisse again just before the ski lift. Walk under the lift back to the road.

(5) Turn right and walk uphill for a few meters before turning off on the left on a track into the woods. Follow the track called Sentier du Lac through the woods to a much better track for vehicles. You will emerge from the trees with pasture on either side and ski tow. Look out for the path on the left which descends beside the pasture and with a house on the right back to the lakeside path point (1) and the parking (S/E).

:

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,469 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.07 - alt. 1,468 m - Small stream
  3. 2 : km 0.48 - alt. 1,479 m
  4. 3 : km 1.76 - alt. 1,570 m
  5. 4 : km 2.01 - alt. 1,622 m - Relais d'Arpette
  6. 5 : km 3.27 - alt. 1,494 m
  7. S/E : km 4.1 - alt. 1,468 m

Useful Information

You could call in at the Relais d'Arpette for refreshments if you wanted to.

Good paths and easy walking mean that this can be done in trainers or running shoes.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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