Our journey begins without transition in an impressive setting, the Great Aletsch Glacier, with the summits of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in the background. A deep plunge through the fascinating Aletsch Forest, composed of ancient larches and Swiss stone pines, brings us to the famous suspension bridge at the foot of the glacier. All these landscapes of exceptional beauty and variety are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Two days then follow during which we walk along the bisses, remarkable for their ingenious and courageous design and construction… true gems to discover!
The Aletsch Glacier
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Glacier d'Aletsch © Gilles Gadani[/caption]
Located in the Valais region of Switzerland, the Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, it stretches 23 km in length over an area of 117 km2. Surrounded by peaks exceeding 4,000 metres in altitude, the Aletsch Glacier moves a mass of ice of around 27 billion tonnes! Its accumulation zone, which corresponds to the area of eternal snow, is located in the Jungfrau region at nearly 4,000 metres altitude, while its glacial front (the lower limit of the glacier) ends at approximately 1,500 metres in the Massa Gorge.
The Aletsch Glacier can reach up to 900 metres in depth at the spot known as " place de la Concorde ". It moves at a speed of around 200 metres per year and, according to calculations, the "age of the ice" at the end of its journey is approximately 600 years.
Having reached a record level around the middle of the 19th century, the glacier has been in steady retreat. It has receded by approximately 3 km, including 800 metres over the last 30 years, at a rate of 50 to 60 m per year.
You will certainly be in awe of the splendour and immensity of the Aletsch Glacier. The beauty of the landscapes is truly breathtaking!
The bisses of Valais
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Parcours des bisses © Gilles Gadani[/caption]
The "bisse" is an elaborate irrigation system that captures water at the foot of glaciers or from mountain torrents and transports it to the cultivated hillside fields. The water is channelled and used to irrigate fields, vineyards and orchards during the warm season.
Their route required significant and heroic engineering works!
Footbridges, tunnels, corbelled passages… all testaments to the boldness and perseverance of the mountain builders. These installations bear witness to the importance of water in the canton of Valais.
The "bisses" are today experiencing a true revival, much to the delight of hikers. Gently sloped and always safe, the paths that run alongside them cross very varied landscapes: beautiful shaded forests, alpine meadows, gorges and panoramic viewpoints.
Accompanied by the sound of trickling water, this spectacle of colours and light will enchant you! A unique and fascinating heritage, the "bisses" will let you discover one of the most picturesque aspects of Valais.
Mund, the land of saffron
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Safran © Gilles Gadani[/caption]
Saffron cultivation is a tradition of the village of Mund (Upper Valais), where this plant has been grown since the Middle Ages.
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is the most expensive spice in the world. It was most likely introduced from Spain to Switzerland around the 14th century. Saffron is obtained by drying and grinding the three stigmas that grow inside the flower. Around 180 flowers are needed to obtain a single gram of this precious spice. Today, approximately 3 to 4 kilos of saffron are produced in Mund each year. This small quantity is enough to revitalise a village and put it on the international culinary map.
The touring stay (3 days)
Suitable for walkers comfortable in all terrains, I offer a 3-day touring stay. Over days of 5 to 6 hours of walking at a relaxed pace, you will discover, among other things, the highlights of the stay:
- The Great Aletsch Glacier and its protected forest
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Pont suspendu © Gilles Gadani[/caption] - The suspension bridge 124 m long
- The panoramic view from the summit of Belalp (mountain hotel)
- The route of 5 bisses among the most beautiful in Valais
- A night in the land of saffron, "red gold", whose stamens turn risotto yellow
Don't worry! The suspension bridge over the void presents no difficulty for those who are not prone to vertigo. Some sections along the bisses are vertiginous but sufficiently equipped to allow safe crossing.
Feel free to contact me via my website Traces et Nature or by email for any additional information and to book your next hiking trip!
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