Chalais Vs: Hiking between bisses, vineyards and history
Accommodation in Chalais Vs
In Chalais, paths through vineyards and meadows meet traces of local history and distinctive sacred art. When planning your trip, it is worth exploring the area’s different facets: one walking trail follows the Bisse de Ricard irrigation channel above the Rhône plain, while the “De Chalais aux chalets” trail connects Chalais with Réchy and other stops. There are also places where local produce and the landscape play a role.
Trails along the bisse and through varied landscapes
The Bisse de Ricard irrigation channel dates back to the 15th century and is still in operation. A trail follows it along its entire route through vineyards and shady meadows. It ends at La Rèche, below a waterfall. This distinguishes the trail along the bisse from the longer “De Chalais aux chalets” route: here, the focus is on the course of the water channel and the landscape above the Rhône plain.
The concept of educational hikes was developed in 2014 to highlight features of the municipality of Chalais. The vertical trail “De Chalais aux chalets” connects Chalais with Crêt du Midi and crosses five vegetation zones. The trail also connects the villages of Chalais and Réchy, passes through Réchy and continues to the old coal mines. It crosses twelve themed trails, which bear the name “… en passant par…”.
A 7 km circular route follows three of these educational trails in sequence: “en passant par Chalais”, “en passant par le Ricard” and “en passant par la Ferme”. The trail also runs along the banks of La Rèche. The circular route and the vertical trail therefore offer different points of reference for planning your own hike: a length is specified for the circular route, while the other trail is defined by its connection between Chalais and Crêt du Midi. No walking time or difficulty level is specified.
From Sierre railway station, you can reach the trailhead by taking a Sierrois bus or a PostBus to the “Chalais Téléphérique” stop. Espace du Lavioz is also close to the village centre: it is a five-minute walk. There you will find a refreshment bar, leisure activities, events and play areas.
Animals, local produce and wine
Arche des Crétillons is home to more than 200 animals. Visitors can feed them seeds sold at the refreshment bar. A snack bar also offers the opportunity to sample the farm’s own local products. Arche des Crétillons is located in an ecologically diverse area. You can reach it by car via Briey or by taking an educational trail from the cable car station in Chalais. As access rules may change, check local travel information before your visit.
Wine is also part of the area’s history: Chalais was founded by residents of Vercorin who went down to the plain to grow vines. La Pertille continues this connection. Rachel Perret and Véronique Antille, both from Chalais, founded the business in 2023. Visitors are welcomed to discover their first wines. Booking is required; as visiting arrangements may change, confirm them in advance.
Chapel and history of Chalais
The chapel in RĂ©chy is dedicated to Saint Matthias and was blessed in 1826. Its distinctive furnishings include an altarpiece from the same year, which is classified as a historic monument of cantonal importance. The chapel also has a Way of the Cross painted under glass from this period, considered extremely rare in French-speaking Valais.
The history of the area can also be placed in context. In the 13th century, Chalais separated from the lordship of Sierre and became a castellany. It was initially granted as a fief to a family that soon adopted the name of Chalais. Five cup-marked stones, also known as cup stones, have also been observed in the municipality. Together, these clues offer different insights: the chapel tells of sacred art and its classification as a monument, while the cup-marked stones are another trace found in the municipality.
Landscape in the Vallon de RĂ©chy
The Vallon de Réchy has been listed in the Swiss Federal Inventory of Landscapes, Sites and Natural Monuments (IFP) since 1998 and is classified as an area of national importance. The nature reserve includes a waterfall, the meanders of the Ar du Tsan and Lac du Louché; its diverse fauna also shapes the area. It can be explored on foot. So, alongside the trails through the vineyards, features such as the waterfall, river meanders and lake offer different themes to explore during a stay in the region.
Discover more destinations: Chippis, Crans-Montana, GrĂ´ne, Saint-Luc Vs, Sierre, Anniviers, Saint-Jean Vs, Vercorin.
For the overview of the wider area: Sierre.
