The Bisses of Valais
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Medieval irrigation channels built into the sides of mountains provided Valais with water for hundreds of years, now serving as scenic hiking trails.

📜 Medieval irrigation channels (bisses) in Valais, Switzerland, historically brought water from mountains to farms, dating back to the 14th century.
🔍 Many are now scenic tourist attractions and hiking trails, with Le Musée des Bisses in Botyre providing a central starting point and historical context.

Why Go

🚶‍♀️ Discover the fascinating history of medieval irrigation systems and explore ancient pathways.
🏞️ Hike along spectacular trails, some carved into mountain sides, and discover incredible ancestral engineering.
🏛️ Explore museum exhibits detailing bisses from Roman times to the present.
🛍️ Enjoy local products and refreshments at the museum's "Bisse'troquet" and family-friendly activities.

Why Avoid

⚠️ Some trail sections (e.g., Les Follés on Grand Bisse of Ayent) are not suitable for those with vertigo, with some trails having vertigo-inducing sections along rocky ridges and cliffs.

Tips

🚌 Shuttle bus to Tseuzier Dam available Jul-Oct (Wed, Fri, weekends) for Grand Bisse of Ayent.
💡 The museum in Botyre is a good starting point for many hikes, offering guided walks and local markets.
⬇️ Watch your head in the 95-meter illuminated tunnel on the Grand Bisse of Ayent.

Cost

💰 Museum entry: Adults CHF 10, Reduced CHF 9, Children CHF 5, Family CHF 25. Guided tour 16 CHF/person.

Hours

🕒 Museum: Mid-April to mid-November. Open Wed-Fri 2-7pm, Sat 10-7pm, Sun 11-7pm. In July-August, also open Mon-Tue 2-7pm. Closed August 1st.

🅿️ Parking Available at the museum.

Last updated 1 day ago

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