Outline Map:

Gallery:

Route Description:

Walk 9 – Les Haudères to La Forclaz via Sépey (Distance: 5.4 km and 350m ascent).

This is an alternative, and less steep, route to La Forclaz from Les Haudères.  It takes in the interesting hamlet of Sépey and has a wonderful views of the Dent Blanche.  In the spring and the summer the flowers and butterflies are in abundance.

1. From the parking area next to the tennis courts in Les Haudéres (to the left of the road bridge to Arolla) take the track between the tennis courts and the river.  You will soon pass a bridge on the left hand side, do not turn left, but continue upwards along the track for around 600 metres. As the track bends away and back to the right, carry straight on in the same direction into the woods. (Signposted). 
   
   After a further 400m, you reach a small clearing, with a small chalet on the right hand side. Continue onwards for maybe another 50 metres and just before a line of trees and a large rock on the right hand side, the path goes off to the left. (Signposted).  
   
   
2. Descend to a bridge over the river and ascend the far side.  The path goes up to the left then zig-zags right and left emerging at a clearing and passing a old wooden raccard on the right.  The path soon reaches a cross path at a signpost.  Turn right here and continue upwards, then under an over-hanging rock face. After a small gate you will soon reach another signpost. Turn left here and follow the path upwards as it zig-zags to a group of chalets at Sépey.
   
   
3. Sépey
   At the chalets there is signpost.  Do NOT turn right and follow the signpost to Salay, Ferpecle and Bricola, but continue more or less straight ahead. Look to the left and you will see another signpost on a telegraph pole indicating the way to La Forclaz, (La Sahe – Villa and Evolène).  Only a few metres further on there is another signpost, in front of an old raccard) pointing the way up to the left. The path climbs steeply, zig-zagging up to meet the road to Ferpècle.  Turn left to La Forclaz. 
   
   
4. As you approach the village of La Forclaz, ignore the road which goes down straight ahead and continue upwards to the main part of the village. Refreshments are available at the Hotel/restaurant Le Grenier. Turn left just to the left of the Hotel, down Route due Tzunalet.
   
   The road bends to the left and after another 100 metres a road comes in from the left. Almost immediately after the road, squeezed between a raccard and a building is the path to take. It has some hand made signs indicating the way to Les Haudères. Follow this steeply down for only a short distance until you meet a cross track and turn right.
   
   The track descends and bends to the left, passing a couple of renovated buildings on the right. Eventually reaching a signpost. Turn right here and follow the path down to Les Haudères. 
   
   
5. About half way down the hill, there is a well signposted Left turn*.  Take this path down into Les Haudères, taking care when crossing directly over the road. 
   *Alternatively you can continue onwards, as the path also crosses the road (take care) before continuing on the other side down into Les Haudères (with a left turn at another path coming down from La Sage on the right).
   
   
6. Les Haudères
   Once you reach the village, make your way to the main road and turn left, back to the parking area.