These four must-see villages in Val d'Hérens

Le Val d'Herens, located in the heart of the canton of Valais in Switzerland, stretches from the Rhone plain, south of Sion, to the glaciers of Ferpècle and Mont Miné, at the foot of the Dent Blanche. Going up towards the summits we will discover four villages of the Val d'Herens who have managed to keep their ancient soul and who absolutely must be seen.

This alpine valley was shaped by the retreat of the Hérens Glacier at the end of the Ice Age, leaving behind unique geological formations such as the Euseigne Pyramids, natural columns topped with boulders, evidence of glacial erosion. It is characterized by a varied topography, ranging from low-lying apricot orchards to peaks reaching over 4 meters, such as the Dent Blanche and the Dent d'Hérens. The villages of Val d'Hérens are located between 700 and 2000 meters above sea level.

What makes the charm of the Val d'Herens is the fact that it has retained an agro-pastoral economy with a strong cultural identity illustrated by the Hérens cattle breed, famous for its queen fights. The valley has managed to maintain moderate tourism, favoring activities in harmony with nature. Today, the Val d'Herens stands out for its commitment to ecological transition projects and the enhancement of its natural and cultural heritage.

The four villages of Val d'Hérens that we are going to discover are:

• Evolene
• The Haudères
• The wise
• arolla

Evolène, the capital of Val d'Hérens

Evolene is a village in Valais that perfectly embodies the authentic Alpine spirit. Surrounded by majestic peaks like the Dent Blanche, it offers a spectacular natural setting, between forests, mountain pastures and glaciers. But what sets Evolène apart is its deep attachment to the traditions of the Val d'Herens : here, the Evolénard dialect still resonates in conversations, traditional costumes are proudly worn during festivals, and Hérens cow fights enliven local life.

The built heritage, with its wooden chalets browned by time and its raccards on stilts, bears witness to a preserved ancestral way of life. You have to stroll through the streets of the village to discover it. Evolène Museum offers an insight into traditional Valais life, while the Marie Métraille weaving workshopr perpetuates local crafts. The parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the many chapels in the surrounding hamlets bear witness to the religious history of the village.

A marked walk inside the old village ofOleïnna (patois name of Evolène) allows you to tour the most beautiful buildings.

For nature lovers, the “village path” allows you to explore the different hamlets ofEvolene, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Finally, the Hérens Arena hosts the traditional cow fights, showcasing the famous Hérens breed of cows.

In winter, just outside the village, in the town of Lannaz, there is a chairlift that provides access to the small ski area. However, the ski slopes reach an altitude of 2700 meters, offering a great vertical drop.

What are the “Battles of the Queens”, a traditional event in Val d'Hérens?

In the natural arena surrounded by mountains, cowbells ring as the crowd, wearing straw hats, takes its seats on the grassy stands. Battle of the Queens is about to begin. The proud breeders lead their Hérens to the center of the circle, where the animals size each other up before clashing, horns against horns, in an ancestral ballet. The spectators hold their breath, captivated by the raw power and nobility of these ritual combats. Around, the atmosphere is festive: the stalls offer melting raclette, Valais wines, and local crafts, while children run between the bales of hay. Here, tradition lives on, vibrant and shared, to the rhythm of battles and applause.

La Battle of the Queens is an emblematic tradition of the Val d'Herens, where the Hérens breed cows, known for their combative temperament, fight to establish hierarchy within the herd. These fights, which occur naturally during the ascent to the mountain pastures, have become organized events since 1922, attracting thousands of spectators. The cows, divided into categories according to their age and weight, compete by pushing head to head until one of them submits. The winner is crowned "Queen" and becomes the leader of the herd. These battles are not only an impressive spectacle, but they also reinforce the cultural identity of the Valais and highlight the importance of traditional livestock farming in the region. They are listed as part of Switzerland's intangible cultural heritage, testifying to their historical and social value.

Les Haudères, sports center of Val d'Hérens

At the heart of Val d'Herens, The Haudères is an authentic Alpine village where time seems to stand still. Located at the confluence of the Ferpècle and Arolla rivers, it is surrounded by pine forests and flowery meadows, offering a preserved natural setting. The village is dominated by majestic peaks such as the Dent Blanche and the Dents de Veisivi, which attract hikers and mountaineers. The Haudères is distinguished by its traditional built heritage. There you will find wooden chalets browned by the sun and the cold and the raccards, these barns on stilts, witnesses to an ancestral way of life, also visible in the Val d'Anniviers neighbor. Don't miss a visit to the church square, where stands the Christ-Roi church, built in 1934 on the foundations of an old chapel, and which houses an XNUMXth-century Baroque altar. For an immersion in local heritage, the village museum displays agricultural objects, traditional costumes and antique furniture, offering a glimpse of life in the valley in the past. The local culture is vibrant, as evidenced by the summer craft markets where locals still wear the traditional Valais costumesThe village is also home to the Center for Geology and Glaciology, offering an overview of the geological features of the region.

The valley of Ferpecle, accessible from The Haudères, offers a variety of hikes for all levels, allowing you to discover spectacular glacial landscapes and unspoiled nature. Among the must-do routes, an easy loop of around 6 km with a 300 m elevation gain allows you to reach the foot of the Mont Miné glacier, following the river and enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. For more experienced hikers, the ascent to the Bricola hut, although the hut is no longer in use, offers an exceptional panorama of the glacier and the valley, with a route of 10 km and 800 m of elevation gain. Another option is the tour of the Ferpècle valley, a 14,8 km loop with a 700 m elevation gain, offering varied panoramas, from green mountain pastures to glacial landscapes.

La Sage, balcony overlooking the high peaks of the Val d'Hérens

Perched at an altitude of 1650 meters on a sunny terrace of the Val d'Herens, The wise is a peaceful hamlet that seems frozen in time, offering an authentic immersion in Valais alpine culture. Its narrow streets wind between sun-burnished larch chalets, raccards on stilts, and century-old barns, witnesses to a remarkably preserved architectural heritage. The 17th-century Saint-Christophe chapel sits below the village, adding a spiritual touch to this picturesque setting. The panorama is breathtaking, with a breathtaking view of the Dent Blanche and the surrounding peaks. The wise is also an ideal starting point for magnificent hikes, including the contemplative “Sur-les-Rocs” trail which links La Sage to Villa, dotted with artistic works and educational panels highlighting local architecture and ancestral traditions. Nature lovers will appreciate the walks to the mountain pastures of Mandelon.

Since The wise, you can take the road to La Forclaz to enter Ferpècle. In winter some ski slopes liven up the slopes between La Sage and La Forclaz.

arolla, at the very bottom of the Val d'Hérens

Perched near 2 meters above sea level at the bottom of the Val d'Hérens, arolla is a village located in a spectacular setting. Dominated by iconic peaks such as Mont Collon and Pigne d'Arolla, the village is surrounded by forests of Swiss stone pine, a local species that gave its name to the Swiss stone pine. Arolla's built heritage reflects its mountain history, with traditional wooden chalets and historic hotels like this large white building at the entrance to the village, which bear witness to the rise of alpine tourism in the 19th century. arolla It is also a prime starting point for numerous hikes, offering varied routes suitable for all levels. Among the must-see walks, the trail leading to the Vignettes hut offers breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding glaciers. Nature lovers will also enjoy the hike to the abandoned hamlet of Pra Gra, located at an altitude of 2 meters, which offers breathtaking views of Mont Collon and the glacial valley.

You can enjoy this extraordinary environment during a hike on the countless trail which runs around the village over a 7 km route.

In winter, arolla turns into small family ski resort on an interesting ski area. The ski lifts take skiers up to an altitude of 2880 meters, at Fontanesses. The panorama of the Arolla and Mont Collon glaciers is majestic and the Dent Blanche, 4357 meters high, gives the whole thing a dizzying verticality.

Hiking to the Blue Lake of Arolla, pearl of the Val d'Hérens

A must-see is the hike to the crystal-clear Lac Bleu d'Arolla. From the village, three routes are possible:

The classic route from La Gouille: The trail starts from the hamlet of La Gouille, located about 2 km downstream from Arolla. Parking is available nearby, as is a post bus stop. The well-marked, family-friendly trail crosses a larch forest and leads to the lake in about 45 minutes, with an elevation gain of 260 meters.

The panoramic loop from Arolla: For a longer hike with spectacular views, you can set off directly from Arolla. The route begins near the Hôtel du Pigne and follows a balcony path through forests and clearings, offering panoramic views of the surrounding glaciers. The route is approximately 10 km long with an elevation gain of 650 meters, and takes 3 to 30 hours to complete. After reaching Lac Bleu, you can descend to La Gouille and return to Arolla along the Borgne River.

The circuit via the Aiguilles Rouges hut: For experienced hikers, a more challenging route starts in Arolla and climbs to the Aiguilles Rouges hut at an altitude of 2 meters. After a well-deserved break, the trail descends to Lac Bleu before returning to Arolla. This route offers breathtaking views of the peaks and glaciers of the Val d'Hérens.

Le Val d'Herens embodies a vision of sustainable tourism where cultural richness and respect for the environment combine harmoniously. Over the decades, this valley has preserved its authenticity by promoting its living traditions, such as cow fights, traditional costumes and the Evolénard dialect, while highlighting its vernacular architecture and ancestral know-how. Initiatives such as the "Val d'Hérens 1950/2050" project illustrate this commitment by inviting residents and visitors to reflect together on the evolution of the territory in the face of climatic and social challenges. By promoting tourism that respects the environment and local communities, the Val d'Hérens offers an authentic and enriching experience, where the discovery of alpine culture combines with the preservation of natural resources. Thus, the villages of Evolène, Les Haudères, La Sage and Arolla are not only picturesque destinations, but living witnesses of a way of life in harmony with nature, offering visitors a deep immersion in the soul of the Swiss Alps.

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