Liddes – Hiking, Nature and Cultural Heritage

Liddes is a municipality in the district of Entremont, in the French-speaking part of Valais, Switzerland. The village lies on Main Road 21 to the Great St Bernard Pass and is considered the second-to-last village before the pass summit. For trip planning, the main highlights are hiking trails, the Combe de l’A nature reserve and various cultural sites. Routes range from an easy trail along the edge of the forest to long hikes rated as difficult.

Hiking Trails and Routes by Duration

The municipality’s hiking trail network comprises about 100 kilometres of marked trails. Local signs indicate that yellow-marked hiking trails are suitable for hikers of all ability levels. The Parcours Vita runs above the Pallazuit plant along the banks of the Dranse d’Entremont. Also following the Dranse, the easy N.5 “Les Daims” trail leads from the Pallazuit hydroelectric plant south of Liddes along the edge of the forest.

The Sentier des Éperviers leads from Liddes at 1,346 metres to the Cabane du col de Mille at 2,473 metres; the walking time is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. In the Liddes-Vichères area, the easy trail to the Cabane de la Tsissette is 6.1 kilometres long and takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes. A much longer and more demanding option is the hike through the Combe de l’A. It is rated as difficult, measures 21.16 kilometres and takes about 7 hours and 30 minutes. These details help you compare how much time the different routes require.

There are also different routes for winter activities. Liddes has a well-developed network of snowshoe trails, with routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. The Vichères Rando-Parc offers four ski touring routes, ranging from easy to moderately difficult. Together, they cover 19 kilometres and 2,400 metres of ascent.

The Natural Environment of Combe de l’A

The Combe de l’A nature reserve is located within the municipality of Liddes and extends across elevations from 1,400 to 3,000 metres. It provides a habitat for ibex, chamois, red deer, roe deer, foxes, badgers, marmots, golden eagles, goshawks and ravens. A trail through the area allows visitors to observe wildlife. Information boards explain local geological and botanical features. The Combe thus combines wildlife observation with insights into the landscape and its plant life.

Chapel, Historic Houses and Museum

The Saint-Laurent Chapel stands north of the village and was built in 1502. It contains the only authentic fresco in Valais painted on the outer wall of an architectural monument from the early 16th century. Another striking building is the Maison Bastian, also known as the Maison Massard. It was built in 1627; a tower pierced with loopholes stands on the façade facing the main road.

The Liddes parish museum displays reliquaries, Baroque statues, processional crosses, liturgical objects, missals and vestments. Visitors can discover religious treasures collected over the years and kept in various locations throughout the municipality. Notable items include a manuscript from 1494 concerning acknowledgements in favour of the parish of Liddes.

The Mur d’Annibal archaeological site lies above Liddes at an elevation of about 2,640 metres. Finds have been dated to between 50 and 15 BC; the site is believed to be the highest place in Europe with traces of settlement from this period. The educational trail to Mur d’Annibal can be hiked from Liddes. Allow a full day for the round trip; Bourg-Saint-Pierre and the Cabane de Mille are also starting points.

Local Traditions and Regional Trails

The preserved bread ovens in Liddes and Chandonne are regularly fired up again. Local families bake bread there three to four times a year, following tradition. Check the exact dates locally. Bagnes 4, a Valais AOP raclette cheese made from raw milk, is available at the Laiterie de Liddes. Check opening hours before your visit.

The Bisse de la Tour carried water from the Torrent de l’A to the heights of Vichères along a 3.3-kilometre route. It no longer carries water today. The Chemin des villages et hameaux d’Entremont offers another way to explore several places. It starts in Liddes and passes through Liddes, Chandonne, Commeire, La Rosière, Chamoille d’Orsières and La Douay. Public transport connections run via Sembrancher and Orsières, followed by a PostBus to Liddes. Check the timetables before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Fionnay, Bagnes, Sarreyer, La Fouly, Verbier, Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Vollèges, Orsières.

For the broader travel overview: Entremont.