A long valley, the Haut Val de Bagnes, stretches far beyond the luxury chalets of the Valais vacation resort of Verbier. Bordered by a reservoir on one side and numerous four-thousand-metre peaks on the other, you can let your mind wander and your heart beat faster on a two-day hike or a day bike tour around the reservoir. The menacing-looking dam wall of Lac de Mauvoisin limits the view of the already oppressive valley for the approaching biker. But once you have reached the imposing concrete monument, the view sweeps over the elongated reservoir to the high alpine mountain landscape. The tour around Lac de Mauvoisin impresses with the rugged mountain world of the barely developed Haut Val de Bagnes. The high Valais mountains and glaciers around the Grand Combin (4314 m) tower to the left and right.
There is no need to worry about mass tourism here, even if the trail descent on the high plateau above the reservoir is surprisingly busy with hikers. An overnight stay at the rustic Chanrion hut (base of the famous Haute Route) or a late return trip is particularly recommended here. You can start planning your winter tour of the Haut Route right away on the small sun terrace with a view of the Fenêtre du Durand and Grand Combin.
Information
Difficulty: Riding technique 2, endurance
Riding time: 4 hours
Distance: 24 kilometers
Altitude difference: 1100 m
Starting point: Mauvoisin (1850 m, post bus stop), hotels, restaurants and shops in Val de Bagnes. Val de Bagnes Tourisme, phone 027 776 16 82, www.verbier-st-bernard.chBy public transport: Train to Martigny, Postbus to Mauvoisin.
By car: Martigny direction Verbier, in Le Chable direction Lourtier and on to Mauvoisin Route: Mauvoisin (1850 m, post bus stop) - on road uphill to dam wall (1976 m) - west of the lake through various tunnels. Tunnel hiking signpost "Cabanne de Chanrion" - behind the lake at bridge point 2046 follow the road signpost "Cabanne de Chanrion" to the hut (2462 m) - hiking signpost "Col de Tsofeiret" (2630 m), be careful: Partly exposed mountain path - past Lac de Tsofeiret (2572 m) hiking trail signpost "Mauvoisin" - back over dam wall and short section of trail to Mauvoisin parking lot Maps: National map 1:25000, 1346 Chanrion, National map 1:50000, 283 Arolla. Miscellaneous: Ascent to Col de Tsofeiret partly exposed, carrying passage, no fear of heights, only partly secured by ropes. Text and pictures: Marius Schwager This tour appeared in the book: Buschor, Jürg: Singletrails in the Swiss Alps. AT-Verlag, 2011. Available to order at: www.supertrail-map.com.
