There are many such dizzying irrigation systems throughout the region, and we had read about a particularly exciting one that has recently been restored to illustrate to the public how amazing these early feats were.
The Bisse du Torrent Neuf (Bisse is the French word for these irrigation channels) extends 3.5 km into a very steep gorge just North of Sion in the Rhone Valley, and was originally built in 1430, and therefore had suffered much damage from rock slides over the centuries. The irrigation system is still in use, and the restoration includes four suspension bridges where the original trail has been damaged by rock slides. All along the trail, guard rails have been mounted to make the trail safe to walk.
The restoration is very well done, and although it was a good trail, for us the fact that this is accessible by car and marketed to tourists meant that there were too many people crowding our adventure, which wasn't as adventurous as we had hoped. (Especially annoying is crossing the suspension bridge when many people walk or run behind you).
Instead of returning the same way (which creates bottlenecks along the way) we descended into the ravine and returned along the paved road, so also to get a glimpse of the trail from below. From Chandolin we took to bus back to Sion and spent the evening walking around the pretty old town before spending the night in a B&B for an early start to our next adventure on Sunday....
Our day started by dropping off our overnight packages at the B&B in Sion where we were spending the night, and then a quick look around Sion for an hour before heading up the hill by bus to Savièse, the start of our hike.
City of Sion, in Canton Valais, Switzerland |
Because we came by bus, our hike started at the Prafirmin Bus Stop. |
Sluices along the way control which meadows get water on certain days |
The first 2 km were mostly through woods along the raised path beside the channel |
The actual renovated trail is between the Chapel and Brac (3.5 km one way) |
Along the way are new guard rails, making the trail safe to walk. Water flows through the wooden flumes |
This shows how the original flumes and channels were constructed |
We always have to watch out for falling rocks. |
First of four suspension bridges. It becomes annoying when others walk over at the same time, with heavy steps or at a running pace. |
One of four new suspension bridges |
Previously, there were no guard rails here |
Along the way we get spectacular views into the ravine and Rhone Valley |
Down below is the "Pont du Diable" ("Devil's Bridge") where we later crossed on our way out of the ravine. |
Another of four suspension bridges |
Along the way are sections of the original flumes, and displays of how the farmers walked the trail |
One short section goes through a tunnel |
Here we ran into a group of people coming the other way. It created quite a bottle-neck |
Often the flumes had to be mounted onto the cliff face |
Final of four suspension bridges |
We descended into the ravine to view the trail from below. |
We descended into the ravine to view the trail from below. |
We crossed the "Devil's Bridge" and found the trail was washed out. We didn't want to go back, so used some fancy footwork to get down to the road. |
To walk out of the gorge we had 3 km of paved road (on the left) ahead of us. Not the best. |
On our way out of the ravine (on 3 km of paved roads, unfortunately) we are greeted by these beautiful and steeply built vineyards. |
At our destination of Chandolin, we got this view into the Rhone Valley |
This is the post bus that picked up up an hour later in Chandolin for the trip back to Sion |
Old Town Sion |
St. Theodul Cathedral in Sion |
Grilled sandwiches with gelato for dessert! |
Pretty doors |
Pretty Windows |
Evening sun in Sion |
Evening sun on the ruins of Chateau Tourbillon in Sion |
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