Are you ready for an exceptional hike in Valais? One that you will talk about for months after you hiked it?
Then you are at the right place, because hiking the Bisse du Ro in Crans Montana will blow your mind.
But before you are considering hiking the Bisse du Ro you must be aware of the following.
During your hike you will encounter
- suspension bridges
- narrow hiking trails
- deep drop offs on one side and rising rocks on the other
Therefore, the Bisse du Ro is not for those who suffer from vertigo or are not sure footed.
It is a perfectly safe hike and for everyone that LOVES a crazy hike in Valais.
Where is the Bisse Du Ro?
In order to get to the starting point of the Bisse du Ro (also written Rho) you have to make your way to Crans Montana in Valais.
Precisely it is at “Clébar Palace, Route de Plans-Mayens ” (Add this to Google maps to find the exact location or the parking for Bisse du Ro).
You will find parking and a small restaurant with a nice garden. The perfect place for a drink if you do a there and back hike.
Public transport ; You need to get to Crans Sur Sierre Télécabine/Post stop.
If you are staying somewhere down the valley or travelling from outside the Valais, take the train to Sierre. Change to the bus direction – Montana, gare B 421 110- all the way to the Crans-s.-S., téléphérique.
From there it is a 2km walk to the start of the Bisse du Ro (Clébar Palace, Route de Plans-Mayens).
Good to know before you hike the Bisse du Ro
There are different options listed below for hiking the Bisse du Ro. In this blog post we will show you the main part of the Bisse du Ro until the suspension bridge.
Simple way: 3.8km return trip
From the parking lot, Plans-Mayens in Crans Montana to the suspension bridge and back.
It is in this part of the Bisse du Ro where all the beautiful structures can be seen.
Hike to the Barrage du Tseuzier: 8.5km one way (back to your car by bus or vice-versa).
Start at the parking lot and hike all the way to the Barrage du Tseuzier, also called Lac du Rawyl.
From mid-August to the end of October, there is a special PostBus that runs from Crans Montana to Rawyl/Tseuzier Dam and vice-versa.
Check the bus time table and plan accordingly
Hiking tip: Leave your car at the place where you will finish your hike and take the bus to the other end. This eliminates the time stress during the hike as at the end you will be at your car.
The hard way: 19km, circular hike via Tseuzier Dam and the Grand Bisse du Lens. (Lower part).
If you would like to do this hike you must be a fit and experienced seasonal hiker. The 2nd part of this circular hike involves steep downhills and part of the Grand Bisse du Lens which is a bit more rugged compared to the very well secured Bisse du Ro. In total you will be doing over 1000m altitude change in both directions.
But you will be hiking two great Bisses in Valais. The map below is not yet connected to the interactive map, it is here to show you the full circle. As soon as the full blog post including the Bisse de Lens is online we will upload the map as well.
Bisses in Valais, what are they?
So, now you know where the Bisse du Ro is located, but do you know what a bisse is?
If you are not yet familiar with that, then let’s have a quick introduction.
The word “bisse” in Valais signifies a small irrigation canal, with some dating back to the 14th century.
Their prime function was to channel water down from the glaciers and alpine rivers to the valley which allowed the farmers to cultivate their crops and farmland.
At one point the Valais counted over 600 bisses in regular use whereas nowadays there are only 200 registered and not all of them carry water.
At the present time, the bisses in Valais have a historical heritage and interest, therefore those still in existence are mostly well maintained. Each spring they are cleaned of leaves, sticks and other foreign objects that could block the flow of water.
And once all cleaned, there is an official day where the water is once more channeled from the large rivers into the bisses.
Not all the bisses still carry water, but the ones with great interest like the Bisse du Ro or the Bisse du Torent Neuf are still kept in great condition. Information boards detail the history and construction of the bisses.
There are still people that have access to the water flowing in the bisses and the main use is watering gardens and trees. During the belle epoch time they watered a whole valley.
Also, you have to know that most of the time a bisse hike in Valais is an easy flattish hike alongside the flow of the water. This is why they are great for families and people that do not want to hike uphill.
The Bisse du Ro
Some facts: Unfortunately there is no evidence of the exact year of construction of the Bisse du Ro. However, it is believed that the water conduit was built around 1361. It took its water from the Ertentse valley and brought it to Montana, Chermignon, Lens and Icogne. In 1947, the water was rechanneled through the Mont Lachaux tunnel so this historic bisse no longer carries water. But this should not be a reason not to hike the Bisse du Ro as the hike and views adjacent to the water channels are just incredible.
On the path: Right at the beginning of the Bisse du Ro you encounter these beautiful structures of the irrigation channels and footbridges. The Bisse du Ro is well known and in some seasons, a very busy hike in Valais.
This is because of its uniqueness, beauty and the amazing views you will encounter all along the hike.
So if you can, avoid hiking the Bisse du Ro on weekends or make sure you are early. Having said this if you do decide to hike the full length to Tseuzier Dam and lake you will meet less and less people after you have passed the suspension bridge.
The suspension bridge was built and inaugurated in 2020, and replaces the part that was a bit tricky and maybe even dangerous at one time.
You can still see the old path along the mountain side.
We wondered how it must have felt before, to hike over a few wooden slabs holding on to a rope on one side and having the void on the other. Adrenaline high!
As we love a cool suspension bridge, we welcomed it with wide arms. The view from this 120 metre long metallic giant down the valley and beyond is stunning. And looking down the full 70 metres into the abyss gives you a great feel of the height.
It is now up to you whether to carry on your hike to Rawyl and lake Tseuzier or turn around and enjoy these great features along the bisse once more.
Getting to Tseuzier lake and its dam
Once away from the bisse and the suspension bridge you’ll discover the Valley of Ertenze. This section will be quieter as the majority of hikers will have turned around after the bridge.
However, the next 7 km are well worth the effort whilst you discover the wild and rugged valley.
Once at Tseuzier, why not hike around the lake?
Where best to stay in Valais
You can easily combine some of the great Bisse Hikes in Valais, so therefore why not stay the weekend?
Other Bisse Hikes in Valais
If you would like to discover more bisse walks then check out the below trails. These bisses are not too far away from the Bisse du Ro, therefore if you are on holiday in central Valais these would be easy to add to your itinerary. By clicking in the link you will be guided to the full hiking description.
- SAVIESE- Bisse du Torrent Neuf– four suspension bridges.
- SION – Bisse du Mont d’Orge – Beautiful during the autumn months
- NENDAZ – Bisse de Chervé to Cleuson Dam – perfect summer hike during the cable car opening hours
- CRAN MONTANA – Bisse des Miriouges Perfect also with pushchair
- VERBIER – Part of the Bisse du Levron – Amazing views await
- La TZOUMAZ – Sentier des Sens along the Bisse de Saxon
I hope that the information provided here will prove itself useful when Hiking The Bisse du Ro in Crans Montana.
If I have left anything out or you have a question, please ask in the comments below so that other readers can join in the conversation.
Thank you & Never Forget to Travel
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