Bisse de Mont d’Orge

Location

Mont d’Orge, above Sion, to the right of the Rhône.

Descriptif

Built in the last decade of the nineteenth century, this bisse can be walked in a loop with the Bisse Siphon

Total length

3 km.

Walking time

2 hours in a loop with the Bisse Siphon.

Altitude

Between 550 and 650 metres.

National hiking map 1:50’000

273T Montana.

Best period

All-year.

Difficulty

Can be difficult in narrow portions.

Useful information

The Mont d’Orge lake is a favourite recreation area for locals. It is ideal for family walks especially with young children. There are many lovely picnic spots both around the lake and on the hill as you walk the bisse.

In good weather it can be very hot along this exposed path. There are some stretches where walking in single file is necessary. These stretches are narrow as they follow the walls of the vineyard. They are  dangerous and particular care needs to be taken with young children.

The walk back up the Bisse Siphon is steep!

Itinerary

Departure

From the car park located next to the Mont d’Orge lake, follow a steep path to the south leading to Sion (chemin de Mont d’Orge). Follow the trail, which is covered in concrete to the start of the bisse on your right.

Itinerary

To complete the loop with the Bisse Siphon, after 45 minutes of walking you reach a tarmac road. Take this road, which is closed to traffic, and walk up to the foot of the hill. After this long climb, you will reach the upper limit of the vineyards. Follow an agricultural road to the east for about 50 metres along an abandoned reservoir. Continue along the path which crosses the vineyards joining the bisse which starts in the rock facade. This bisse is entirely channeled through pipes. Follow the bisse to the point of departure.