Trail running course Dent de NendazAprès un court trajet en cabine reliant Haute-Nendaz à Tracouet, prenez le sentier qui longe le Lac Noir sur la droite. La montée jusqu’à la Dent de Nendaz se fait par un sentier de montagne. Arrivé à 2'462 mètres, à côté de la croix, prenez le temps d’admirer la vue sur le lac et les montagnes environnantes.
La suite du parcours se fait en légère descente sur une arrête escarpée avant de remonter jusqu’à la Pointe de Balavaux pour rejoindre le col du Basso D’Alou. Une fois au col, empruntez le chemin qui redescend en zigzag en direction de Prarion/Balavaux. Cette descente technique entre les rhododendrons vous amènera jusqu’à une petite route en terre, au cœur des mélèzes centenaires. Suivez-la jusqu’à l’alpage et la cabane de Balavaux.
Depuis la cabane, le retour vers Tracouet se fait en empruntant le chemin en terre. Prendre le sentier en contrebas qui rentre dans la forêt. Arrivé aux croix de Jean-Pierre, suivre le sentier pédestre qui vous ramène à Tracouet.Vue aérienne Tracouet été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Trail Dent lever de soleil 2020 (Etienne Bornet)Pointe de Balavaux Etienne Bornet 2019 (Etienne Bornet)Cabane Balavaux Extérieur Ete 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Trail lac Tracouet 2019 (Etienne Bornet)2173.4167480469Tracouet LakePerched at 2'200 metres above sea level, the Tracouet Lake also known as the « Lac Noir (Black Lake) » due to the dark colour of the water. It serves as a mirror to the beautiful Dent de Nendaz throughout the summer and, in winter, it freezes and offers a wonderful flat area to host the snow garden.
WHY IS IT WORTH THE DETOUR ?
The Tracouet Lake has a unique ecosystem. Home to a large population of amphibians and exceptional flora, it has been listed on the Federal Inventory of Amphibian Breeding Sites of National Importance since 2001. In 2020, it was classified as a « protected natural site » by the Canton of Valais. You can easily observe red frogs or alpine newts !
ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS
The particular ecosystem and the beauty of the lake are not the only assets of this place. Indeed, you can discover other interesting sights in the surrounding area, such as the Dent de Nendaz, whose summit offers an exceptional viewpoint without forgetting the legendary larch trees of Balavaux of which some are the largest in Europe.Vue aérienne Tracouet été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Lac de Tracouet panorama été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Lac de tracouet été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Lac_de_Tracouet_automne_2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Lac_de_Tracouet_Famille_Ete_2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2456.4875488281Dent de NendazThe Dent de Nendaz is a relatively easy summit to reach in summer. From Tracouet, which can be reached by gondola, a marked mountain path (white-red-white) leads you to the top in less than an hour.
You then have the satisfaction of reaching a true summit! Your efforts are rewarded by the incredible panoramic view, between Tracouet and its Lac Noir right at your feet and the whole valley below.
The Dent de Nendaz can be a hiking goal in itself or a first leg before, for example, following high ridges towards the Plan du Fou, descending through the hundred-year-old larch trees of Balavaux or continuing on to Siviez.Dent de Nendaz été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Dent de Nendaz 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Dent de Nendaz panorama été 2021 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Dent de Nendaz 2019 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2109.748046875The Balavaux larch treesBalavaux is a wooded pasture which is home to about a hundred cows throughout summer. This mountain pasture has about 250 larches, some of which have reached the venerable age of 1000 years.
WHY IS IT WORTH THE DETOUR ?
These multi-century-old trees convey strength and serenity. Among them is even the most imposing in Europe, nicknamed "the King of Balavaux", which has a circumference of 11.8 m. It is surrounded by a footbridge to protect its roots from the trampling of hikers and cattle.
ADVICE FROM THE LOCALS
The best season to recharge one's batteries amidst the Balavaux larch trees is undoubtedly autumn. Indeed, this conifer, before losing all its needles in winter, glows with a thousand shades of gold and orange in October.Mélèzes Balavaux Automne Balade Jeunes 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Mélèzes Balavaux Télésiège Automne 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Mélèzes Balavaux Automne Jeunes 2020 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)Mélèzes de Balavaux automne chemin 2018 (Jean Cingria)Mélèzes de Balavaux automne randonnee 2018 (Jean Cingria)2047.9300537109Balavaux Cabin RestaurantAt barely 30 minutes on foot or 5 minutes on skis from Tracouet, reach the Balavaux cabin. Surrounded by some of the oldest larch trees in Europe, the restaurant offers dishes from the region, all concocted with local produce. Cheese bakes, fondues and many other traditional local dishes await you.
Feel free to enjoy your meal on the large sun-drenched terrace! Relaxation guaranteed!Cabane de Balavaux intérieur 2022 (Sarah Moussaknaoui)Cabane Balavaux été 2022 (Sarah Moussaknaoui)Cabane de Balavaux terrasse été 2022 (Sarah Moussaknaoui)Cabane_de_Balavaux_été_2019 (Etienne Bornet)Restaurant_Cabane_Balavaux_hiver_extérieur_2017 (Etienne Bornet)Restaurant Cabane Balavaux hiver vue 2018 (Florian Bouvet-Fournier)2191.92309570312178.66943359382178.88208007812173.61816406252174.71459960942175.46582031252182.07519531252186.14892578122231.48388671882245.4550781252262.21362304692275.84912109382305.53588867192309.26660156252312.73608398442331.33154296882343.35498046882348.27441406252373.78369140622429.78295898442436.28271484382451.33935546882460.30371093752452.71582031252438.88427734382442.261718752430.49560546882423.47534179692422.63720703122427.968752427.32983398442427.62792968752417.035156252415.2636718752421.17016601562426.02246093752443.46582031252415.80468752408.26147460942395.57788085942381.43969726562379.69848632812373.42749023442363.88403320312359.68823242192349.57128906252338.40893554692318.74682617192305.01708984382295.24902343752278.95239257812272.80200195312256.85961914062240.8847656252228.04907226562215.02783203122167.29150390622128.19213867192084.58178710942072.36425781252067.13159179692058.65087890622054.12084960942046.59057617192046.71362304692043.41955566412043.53967285162057.90356445312054.93383789062065.03833007812060.22387695312053.06494140622054.59692382812049.62988281252030.01977539062050.45849609382099.81030273442115.50219726562134.50683593752161.7871093752168.49707031252173.79736328122179.51464843752178.66943359382191.9907226562