Bisse Neuf ou Bénou
Location
Venthône, above Sierre to the right of the Rhône.
Descriptif
The end of the Bisse Neuf and the beginning of the Bisse de Varen are located on the linguistic border of Valais, separated by the Raspille. It is possible to make a loop by combining the Varen and Mengis irrigation channels.
Total length
Approximately 3 km
Walking time
2 hours with the Bisse de Varen, 3 hours with the Bisse de Mengis.
Altitude
Between 950 and 1000 metres.
National hiking map 1:50’000
282 T Martigny
Best period
May to October.
This bisse contains water from 1 June to 15 September.
Difficulty
There are no particular difficulties.
Useful information
This walk takes place in a beautiful beautiful landscape of a vegetation of pines and hardwoods. This bisse can be done in loop with the bisses of Varen and Mengis
Itinerary
Departure
Reach Venthône by postal bus from Sierre. From Venthône, two options are possible. 1st option: you join the Chemin des Ziettes which is located at the exit of Venthône towards Montana on the main road in the first hairpin bend. At this point, you will find a wooden signpost “bisse Neul, Bénou”. To the left of the sign (GPS 46°18’43’’ N 7°31’54’’ E) a forest path (not very marked at the beginning) which climbs through the forest (5 minutes) will allow you to reach the bisse Neuf. 2nd option: from the center of the village of Venthône, you head due east on the Cordona road, to reach a parking lot (about 15 minutes walk) where you will find the sign “bisse”. Continue following the road for 350 meters to reach a path which climbs towards the bisse (signpost, 15 minutes climb).
Itinerary
At the end of the Bisse Neuf you will find yourself above Planige and you can continue onto the trail for the Bisse de Varen (or Varone). To do so, follow the marked trail towards Propija. Cross the Raspille bridge and climb a further 40 metres to join the Bisse de Varen (or Varone). To continue onto the Bisse de Mengis, when you reach the Torrent de Brand Waterfall, follow the path downhill towards Varen and then Salquenen (Salgesh). This joins a tarmac road whcih you descend as far as the Bisse de Mengis. Where the Bisse de MEngis takes water, follow the forest track towards Salgesh and follow the sign-posts for the Bisse de Varen. There is a steep climb of 45 minutes before you retrace your steps.
