Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R108
Vernayaz / Pissevache » Cabane de Susanfe
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7h10 |
15 km
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2157 m
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521 m
Pass the Pissevache waterfall and leave Pissevache/Vernayaz behind, taking the first steep ascent to Van d'en Haut, before continuing further uphill to the Salanfe lake. Head along the left-hand shore of the lake, soon turning off to the right and starting the last climb to the Col de Susanfe. From the pass, it is just a short distance to the Susanfe hut, the stage destination.
From the Pissevache waterfall, the mountain trail leads in numerous hairpin bends up to the Saveney woodland meadow. Here, the mountain trail branches off through the wood up to the Van d'en Bas houses. After the meadow, continue on the left side of the little valley of Van in the woodland to Van d'en Haut with its little chapel. At the campsite, the trail first leads along the northern bank of the Salanfe river and then changes to the southern bank to head past the Fontaine à Moïse (Moses’ fountain). A jet of water shoots out of the rocks as if from nowhere. You will soon catch sight of the Lac de Salanfe reservoir wall. A short climb parallel to the reservoir wall leads to the Salanfe hut. From here, there is an imposing view over the Dents du Midi massif. Walk along the northern bank of the lake on the alpine road to point 1932, from where the mountain trail leads through the stone detritus of the Dents du Midi massif and climbs a ridge to the Susanfe pass. Just before the pass crossing, the trail passes a ledge. On reaching the pass, you can see into the Susanfe valley basin for the first time. After the pass, continue on the right side of the mountain, which is less steep, down to the Susanfe hut, the stage destination. (Schweizer Wanderwege).
Natural and cultural heritage
Dent du Midi/Salanfe For those living at the upper section of Lake Geneva, the Dent du Midi is a very special symbol. On one side, it points the way to the south, and on the other forms a majestic entrance to the alpine world with its seven peaks. From the east to the south, it forms a beautiful half curve, with the Plan Névé glacier hanging within it. Below lies the Salanfe reservoir, which has a storage capacity of 40 million cubic metres of water. It is 52 metres high, 40 metres wide on the foundation bed and 608 metres long on the surface. According to old tradition, it seems that Salanfe was once owned by the Abbey of St. Maurice. Afterwards, it changed hands another four times, between the communities of Vérossaz, Massongex, Ste-Maurice and Evionnaz. In 1870, Salanfe was then formally allotted to Evionnaz by judicature. This made it possible to sell water entitlements, which marked the start of a year-long controversy, especially as the alpine inhabitants would lose their pastureland vital to their livelihood at the time if a reservoir was built. Furthermore, this also had a direct impact on the Pissevache waterfall in the Rhonetal valley. The Salanfe Alp was the starting point for numerous mountain races and in 1898 boasted the 1st Dent-du-Midi hotel, to accommodate tourists on expeditions to the Dent du Midi. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
Du Léman à Sion / André Beerli ~ Editions Ketty & Alexandre (ISBN 2-88114-026-2)
Comments
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Janek - 2011-07-21
I couldn't find the path beginning from from the waterfall and headed back to Vernayaz where I was directed to another road starting near the power station. It has also a tons of hairpins, but the going itself is very easy. Are you sure that you are not confusing these two paths?
Also- the short description says that you have to take the left bank of lake Salanfe, but the map and the detailed description indicate that the correct path is on the northern shore e.g. the right hand bank.
The altitude of Lac de Salanfe and Col de Susanfe is missing. for the first it should be 1925 and latter 2494
1) Besides my opinion that you should never use a bus when being on a hiking trip, don't skip the hiking path upwards as suggested by Daniel. It's really a nice way - especially the first 500 meters in height with a special path.
2) There's a campsite at Van d'en Haut with the possibility to buy some goods (also beer!).
3) To get to the water source close to Van d'en Haut after passing the campsite, follow the "driving" road, not the hiking path (Following the hiking path, I missed the source).
4) The description in the guide can be misunderstood. You have to walk along the side of the lake where you get close to the hut 'Lac de Salanfe'.
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Daniel - 2010-10-17
Auberge de Salanfe is far less horrible as it looks from he outside. When the day-tourists leave staff turns very friendly. They give you seconds at dinner. There are a huge number of dorms (CHF 59). Use this as an alternative to Vernayaz. At Van d'en Haut there is a mini-bus that bring you to the valley (or vv: up), saving you a boring hike through the woods.
|
7h10 |
15 km
|
2157 m
|
521 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.