Ovronnaz -Derborence
Use the Jorasse chairlift to access the trail leading to Pierre à Vatserou. The route winds in hairpin bends through picturesque landscapes, passing by Plan Coppel and Plan Salentse, with the Petit and Grand Muveran mountains in the backdrop. The turns will lead you to the Rambert hut, offering a breathtaking view of the Valais Alps, from the Matterhorn to Mont-Blanc, including the Combins and Dents-du-Midi. You might even be lucky enough to spot an ibex!
The trail continues toward the Col de la Forcla, dominated by the Dent de Chamosentse, which reflects in the waters of Lake de la Forcla. The lunar landscape unfolds with its rocks, gravel, cliffs, snowfields, and marshes. The mineral valley of Derbonne, resembling Mars, leads the hiker toward the Derborence Nature Reserve. Along the way, the rustic Dorbon alpine hut (La Chaux) provides a well-deserved break. The mysterious world of Derborence, with its turquoise lake, completes this wild hiking experience.
Finish your adventure by taking the postal bus to descend toward the plain via a winding and spectacular road – an experience not to be missed!
From Sion, easily reach Ovronnaz by train and bus.
Access to the Tour :
Jorasse chairlift
Return journey:
Bus : Derborence - Sion / Train : Sion - Riddes or bus : Sion - Leytron / Bus : Riddes - Ovronnaz
Catering: Jorasse mountain restaurant - Rambert hut - Dorbon gîte - Refuge du Lac
Features
Length
16 km
Difficulty
Medium / T2-T3
Duration
6h (no break)
Height difference
+979 m / -1454 m
Minimum altitude
1456 m
Maximum altitude
2584 m
Starting point
Jorasse arrival of the chairlift
Point of arrival
Lac de Derborence hut
Period
Depending on snow conditions and the opening of the Derborence road
Did you know ?
Charles Ferdinand Ramuz's novel "Derborence", published in 1934, tells the story of a shepherd who is buried when a cliff collapses on the Valais side of the Diablerets massif on 23 September 1714. These famous rockfalls, like the one in 1749, caused extensive damage.
In 1958, the Sion - Derborence postal line was officially opened. The daily journey was an adventure: it left Sion at 9.30am, but it was impossible to predict the time of arrival! The driver was equipped with a pick and sledgehammer to deal with any rocks that fell during the night...
