Trail running course Bisse de ChervéLe départ de la balade se situe à l'entrée de Siviez sur la gauche. Empruntez le sentier qui traverse la Printse, rivière qui prend sa source en fond de vallée sur les hauteurs du barrage de Cleuson. Après le pont, dirigez-vous vers le petit hameau situé dans la pente devant vous. Une fois arrivé au hameau, suivez la route en terre en direction du barrage de Cleuson. Au virage, prenez le petit chemin qui part sur la droite dans la forêt. Suivez ce sentier jusqu'au lieu-dit «Chervé» qui rejoint le tracé du bisse de Chervé.
Depuis cet endroit, empruntez le chemin de montagne en direction de Cleuson. Après quelques mètres seulement sur le bisse, vous pourrez admirer le barrage de Cleuson et ses eaux turquoises. Longez le barrage sur ce petit sentier jusqu'au croisement avec un chemin plus large au lieu-dit «la Gouille». Ici, les plus courageux continueront à gauche pour monter à la cabane St-Laurent. Les autres auront la possibilité de prendre à droite pour redescendre en direction du barrage. La descente se fait ensuite sur le chemin qui longe le barrage.
Arrivé sur celui-ci, traversez le mur, puis tournez à droite pour prendre le petit chemin escarpé qui descend en zigzag sous le barrage. Suivez ensuite les indications du sentier pédestre qui vous ramènera à Siviez.Detour (Nendaz Tourisme)Balade bisse Chervé été 2018 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Trail_mur_barrage_2019 (Elodie Moos)Trail vue barrage 2019 (Elodie Moos)Trail_chaussure_été_2020 (Etienne Bornet)1732.3540039062SiviezSiviez provides access to the areas of Veysonnaz and Thyon on the one hand, and to Verbier and the Bagnes valley as well as to Nendaz and Isérables on the other. It is also the starting point to reach Mont-Fort, a summit that is easily accessible throughout the summer and the winter thanks to the ski lifts
At the far end of the valley stands the Cleuson dam wall, built between 1947 and 1950. 410 metres long at the top and 87 metres high, it can hold up to 20 million m3 of water.
In winter, more than 400 kilometres of slopes await you, as well as several ski touring and snowshoeing routes and a sledge run. The Siviez snow garden allows the very young to discover their first joys of skiing.
In summer, the ski slopes give way to the mountain pastures, which are the preferred holiday destination for the Hérens breed of cows. Numerous hiking and mountain bike trails are also accessible from Siviez.Ebike Siviez été 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Randonnée Siviez hiver 2018 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Siviez Hiver 2016 (Jean Cingria)Siviez Eté Vaches 2016 (Florian Guntern)2242.1823730469Bisse de ChervéBuilt in 1862, the Bisse de Chervé is the highest and most alpine of the bisses in the region. It takes its source at 2,370 metres above sea level and runs at an altitude of more than 2,200 metres throughout its entire length, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding forests, the Rhone Valley and the turquoise waters of the Cleuson Dam lake.
Although the water no longer flows there, some evidence still bears witness to the titanic work carried out to dig this channel linking Cleuson to the mountain pastures of Thyon, the construction of which was intended to allow irrigation of these pastures. Some elders say that its use only lasted a few years, while others say that the water never flowed over the entire route... We'll never know the full story !
In any case, despite the fact that the Bisse de Chervé has been abandoned for many years, it is still possible to follow it thanks to its well-maintained hiking trail. What luck !
A BISSE, WHAT IS IT ?
The bisses were originally irrigation channels that diverted water from the rivers to water the farm land crops growing on the mountain slopes. They are true historical relics and bear witness to the Valaisans' relentless fight against drought. It is their construction that makes them so special. Indeed, these channels had to adapt to the different terrain and environments encountered along the way, giving rise to impressive workmanship, especially when we imagine what the means of construction were at the time. The bisses of our region take their source from the Printse, a river that flows along our valley. Of the eight bisses located in Nendaz, six still have water flowing within their banks and are still carrying out their original task of irrigation.Bisse de Chervé Nendaz (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé passerelle bois été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé 2018 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé barrage cleuson 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Bisse de Chervé foret 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2162.0810546875Cleuson DamBuilt between 1947 and 1950 and first commissioned in 1950 for hydroelectric purposes, the Cleuson dam was decided and built in an economic context of war. It is a dam with reinforced buttresses, the federal authorities having then required that the building be massive and resistant to bombardments.
Located at al altitude of 2’187m, it holds about 20 million m3 of water coming from the entire valley. Its imposing wall, 420m long and 87m high, stands in the middle of a breathtaking alpine landscape . This site bears witness to a perfect harmony between nature and human activity. What a sight to behold !
WHY IS IT WORTH THE DETOUR ?
In addition to its impressive wall and the magnificent landscape that surrounds it, a walk along the Cleuson dam lake unveils loads of interesting information. Indeed, if you are interested in this subject, in addition to the information posts located in the surroundings, guided visits of the dam wall are also proposed, in order to discover it from the inside. Not to be missed !
ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS
Have your camera or Smartphone ready to capture the turquoise blue water. In fact, the water of the lake is tinted with this exceptional colour, known as « bleu de Cleuson » which is due to the refraction of light on the sit. A ‘must’ for photo enthusiasts !Bisse de Chervé Cleuson automne 2021 (Suisse Tourisme - Dominik Baur)Randonnée barrage de Cleuson automne 2021 (Suisse Tourisme - Dominik Baur)Barrage Cleuson VTT Route Été 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Barrage Cleuson VTT Été 2017 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Barrage Cleuson (Maude Gaudin)Barrage Cleuson (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Barrage Cleuson (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)1733.8332519531Restaurant Les BergersLocated at the entrance to Siviez, the restaurant Les Bergers, with its alpine atmosphere, promises a journey into the authenticity of the Valais. On the menu: open hearth grills, cheese dishes and other local specialities. In this establishment, local products and hospitality are essential.
In both summer and winter, you can also enjoy your meal on the beautiful sun drenched terrace.Assiette_valaisanne_2015 (Saifuddin Ismailji)Restaurant Les Bergers plat hiver 2023 (Elodie Moos)Restaurant_Les_Bergers_repas_terrasse_hiver_2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant_Les_Bergers_terrasse_été (Les Bergers)1739.8831787109Restaurant Chez CarolineThe restaurant Chez Caroline, in Siviez, offers a splendid setting all year round. In winter, enjoy its sunny terrace at the foot of the ski slopes and relax to the sound of the cowbells in summer.
As for the menu, adapted to the seasons, it offers all sorts of dishes to delight all guests. From burgers and salads to a choice of soups and grilled meats, there is something for everyone. Breakfast is also available as well as a range of sandwiches for those on the go.Valentine's Day Menu (Chez Caroline)Chez Caroline restaurant hiver 2022 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Chez Caroline restaurant hiver 2022 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Chez Caroline restaurant hiver 2022 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Restaurant_Chez_Caroline_intérieur_2019 (Jean-Pierre Guillermin)Restaurant_Chez_Caroline_plat_2020 (Chez Caroline)1729.64025878911730.65600585941732.27832031251734.53491210941735.64733886721755.42321777341761.66967773441769.56701660161791.36633300781799.84448242191811.69262695311827.36242675781831.57409667971841.011718751850.50549316411864.18212890621870.07897949221892.48474121091913.90112304691925.13793945311921.60754394531929.76647949221952.4042968751959.38659667971961.26123046881965.40637207031984.58715820312002.18920898442017.48974609382013.75817871092022.39172363282021.84094238282029.24572753912043.33923339842052.22680664062066.22094726562077.07666015622088.09033203122088.48779296882108.29565429692122.89428710942136.29370117192157.65454101562168.49487304692176.63208007812192.13110351562207.41284179692212.94946289062219.769531252263.55761718752265.35571289062264.07299804692266.66699218752272.7714843752281.17480468752275.96972656252283.27758789062301.98974609382298.89111328122309.13208007812312.93579101562315.0839843752314.906252322.8496093752316.73413085942321.69458007812323.06005859382327.93579101562328.50170898442327.50073242192329.97094726562324.25512695312335.47924804692338.27612304692333.68139648442337.44409179692332.89916992192340.31958007812333.7089843752346.03979492192345.93383789062351.15454101562352.32104492192344.90258789062355.7910156252350.53808593752344.23852539062366.21313476562367.05639648442360.7871093752344.20532226562338.69262695312303.92236328122310.47924804692304.63354492192301.15893554692280.07788085942285.52514648442273.94433593752251.07470703122226.752216.58422851562197.02490234382203.28759765622193.95239257812197.70410156252193.12768554692203.10815429692199.4433593752200.4550781252197.10888671882194.41455078122200.863281252202.22607421882199.6816406252192.53222656252192.6816406252186.45385742192192.49389648442184.38549804692162.37744140622165.72387695312138.77563476562132.33886718752122.54028320312118.75073242192122.4589843752119.03955078122096.00097656252080.6738281252063.19458007811981.45031738281975.58886718751973.67175292971952.88342285161946.82031251942.83264160161940.48889160161928.30908203121923.66088867191879.61499023441844.00524902341838.48974609381822.03747558591806.06591796881791.20410156251776.13232421881765.25244140621747.31225585941734.76977539061733.8691406251731.61303710941730.27844238281729.5537109375