La Coutaz / La Niva (VS)

 

 

 

Location: Val d’Hérens on the left bank of the Rhône near Arolla.

Description: walk not very easy in a magnificent alpine panorama

Total length: about 9.5 km

Walking time: 3 to 4 hours

Positive and negative difference in altitude: about 600 meters

National hiking map 1: 50’000: 283  Arolla

Best period: all year long, in winter snowshoes

Difficulty: T3

Start

The hike begins at the La Coutaz bus-stop on the road towards Arolla. Follow the road (direction Tsalé de la Coutaz) uphill for about 400 meters to a small valley. The road makes a pin. Do not follow the pin, go straight (N). The route goes up the valley and joins the road of the Coutaz at a place called “Tsalé de la Coutaz, point 1908”. Follow the direction of Haudères continuing to climb the road for about 300 meters to a pin. 100 meters after the hairpin, there is a place of avoidance to the right of the road. Follow the path above this place of avoidance (wooden stake and 20 meters higher orange sign post C – 5, geological routes, the path goes straight through the forest (clear passage). The route joins the hamlet of “Tsalé de la Cretta.” Above the hamlet, the path continues north through a forest to reach a road that reaches the “Mayens de la Cretta.” Follow the road uphill to ” Mayens de la Niva “and” La Niva “From this point, there is no road, after a slight climb, the route runs along the foothills of the” Palanche de la Cretta “towards those of The “Cretta” that once crossed leads to “Chottes de l’Etoile (South)”. During this part of the itinerary, we can go towards the cross that we see in the distance and which is a little below “Chottes de l’Etoile” From this place, follow the road downhill to the starting point.

Enlarge and print itinerary

Interactive Map

Public Transport Timetable Departure Sion Arrival Les Haudères, La Coutaz

Practical information

Beautiful and very sunny course in an alpine environment. Beautiful panorama on Mont Collon, the Veisivi massif, the Mourty peaks, the Grand Cornier and the majestic Dent Blanche. In winter you can meet some cross-country skiers during the downhill.