recommended route
Sentier du Balcon du Mont-Blanc
Hikes
· Valais
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/ Sentier du Balcon du Mont-BlancPhoto: Vallée du Trient Tourisme, Vallée du Trient Tourisme -
/ Sentier du Balcon du Mont-BlancPhoto: Vallée du Trient Tourisme, Vallée du Trient Tourisme
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/ Sentier du Balcon du Mont-BlancPhoto: Vallée du Trient Tourisme, Vallée du Trient Tourisme
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/ Sentier du Balcon du Mont-BlancPhoto: Christian Hoffmann, Vallée du Trient Tourisme
Learn more about the Finhaut-Emosson region thanks to the explanatory boards along the route this hike follows which also offers an incredible view of the Mont-Blanc massif.
moderate
Distance 8.4 km
3:10 h
741 m
2 m
This educational trail takes you from Finhaut to Six Jeur, above Emosson, and offers an introduction to the local fauna and flora, as well as a number of geological features such as the Fenestral glacial cirque. You’ll cross a diverse natural environment including swampy areas, meadows, mountain pastures, glacial moraine and rocky outcrops, with the added surprise of foot and handprints engraved near the Tête de la Boffa in 1927 by Louis Lugon-Moulin, the region's postman. The route continues towards Emosson and the eponymous dam with a breathtaking panorama of the Mont-Blanc massif and the Trient plateau. The end point at Emosson Dam is a stunningly beautiful finale with a final ascent to the highest point on the hike, Six Jeur, at 2062 m above sea level and a special place due to its protected "Bas-marais" biotope.
Author’s recommendation
Exciting activities await you at Emosson, including the VerticAlp installations, dinosaur tracks and a visit to the dam.
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Emosson, dam, 1,964 m
Lowest point
Finhaut, train station, 1,224 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Safety information
Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.
For all hikes:
- Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on the «Print» icon, top right of this page.
- Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Close gates after passing through.
- Please be considerate to other trail users, as well as to the plants and animals.
- Do not leave any waste in nature.
For mountain hikes:
- Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
- Plan your hike carefully: take into consideration the fitness level of each participant, the weather forecast and the season.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
For high-altitude hikes:
- Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
- Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.
Tips and hints
View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility:
More information about the destination:
Start
Finhaut, train station (1,223 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'564'215E 1'103'557N
DD
46.082574, 6.976055
DMS
46°04'57.3"N 6°58'33.8"E
UTM
32T 343515 5105213
w3w
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Destination
Emosson, dam
Turn-by-turn directions
Start your journey at Finhaut train station, crossing the village to find the start of the trail, which is indicated by a sign saying "À travers Finhaut". The path goes to the shooting range, then, after a walk through varied natural landscapes, leads to the Tête de la Boffa, before branching off towards Fenestral. This mountain pasture is located in an ancient glacial cirque on a frontal moraine, testimony to the presence of glaciers thousands of years ago. The route continues towards Emosson and leads to the Gueulaz pass, which offers a clear view of the Mont-Blanc massif and the Trient plateau. Once you reach Emosson Dam, the trail continues upwards on the final stage of your hike past the chapel to the highest point of the trail at Six Jeur.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Take the CFF train to Martigny station, and change here to board the Mont-Blanc Express. Exit at the Finhaut stop, which is the starting point of your hike.Getting there
From the A9 freeway, take exit 22 at the Gd-St-Bernard interchange and follow the E27 motorway towards Martigny-Combe. At the tunnel exit, take the first exit at the roundabout to the route de la Forclaz towards Finhaut.Parking
Parking is available at Finhaut train station, as well as in front of the school.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'564'215E 1'103'557N
DD
46.082574, 6.976055
DMS
46°04'57.3"N 6°58'33.8"E
UTM
32T 343515 5105213
w3w
///splint.denoting.aims
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
The tourist office in Finhaut has got brochures and information material about hiking in the region.
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1324 Barberine
Equipment
We recommend:
- good footwear
- clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
- hat or cap
- sunscreen
- bottle for water
- picnic
- camera
- binoculars (optional)
- hiking poles (optional)
- printout of this hike (click on the «Print» icon, to download)
For certain walks:
- Swimwear
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
8.4 km
Duration
3:10 h
Ascent
741 m
Descent
2 m
Statistics
Maps and trails
Duration
: h
Distance
km
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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