Sentier des Sens La Tzoumaz (Trail of the senses)

The "Sentier des Sens" (Trail of the senses) is a charming walk of 5,5 km (round trip) for nature-lovers of all ages, accessible also to pushchairs and wheelchairs. Developed in conjunction with a school for visually impaired children in Lausanne, the path invites visitors to explore nature with all their senses – and especially through touch, sound and smell.

Starting point is the "Maison de la Forêt" (House of the Forest): attractions include interactive exhibitions on local wildlife, observation towers on stilts, a botanical garden with medicinal plants, an adventure playground and café.

Here, visitors can pick up a copy of the “5 senses quiz” booklet, which features a series of puzzles and games at 5 stations around the Maison de la Forêt and a further 11 along the Sentier des Sens. The quiz is available in French, English and German; the panels along the way are also marked in braille.

Along the trail, visitors explore the sensations evoked by the flowers, trees and birdsong, the soil below their feet and the skies above. The route largely leads along a “bisse”, one of the irrigation channels characteristic of Valais, built by hand to carry precious alpine water to the fields and orchards. Created in in the 1850s, the Bisse de Saxon is the longest in Valais at 26 km, known as the “King of bisses”.

A picnic site at Le Marteau with tables and barbecue equipment is free for all to use.

NB The Maison de la Forêt is open from late May until the end of September, plus October weekends.

Highlights

• Maison de la Forêt – fun interactive exhibitions, adventure playground and café
• 5 Senses Quiz – games and puzzles along the walk
• Flat, pushchair/wheelchair-accessible trail – mostly along the water
• Picnic site – complete with tables and barbecue equipment