Hike to the top of Mont d'Orge near Sion, and a Walk along the Irrigation Channels

Wednesday December 4th -- Here in the North temperatures are near freezing now, but in Canton Valais it's a few degrees warmer. We debated if it was worth going there for a bit of warmer weather, considering we have to travel about 3 1/2 hours each way. But there are still many vineyards to walk through, and low mountains to climb, so off we went.

We chose a hill near Sion called Mont d'Orge, first checking out the lake on its North side (quite a bit of shade there) and then walking around it on the sunny side along an irrigation channel, climbing to the top to the old ruins of an earlier castle: Chateau de Montorge, where we had our lunch, and then continuing along a second irrigation channel called "Bisse de Montorge" before catching the train in Conthey near the Rhone River at the bottom of the valley.

We had some clear skies to the East for some super views up the Rhone Valley and down on the two distinct hills of Sion where still perch the fantastic ruins of Chateau Tourbillon on the one, and the large Basilisque Chateau de Valère on the other, emblems of the city of Sion. Unfortunately a single strip of cloud dimmed the sunlight for a bit, and the noise from Sion airport where a single-engine plane pilot seemed to be practicing landing and taking off for a good hour carried loudly up to where we were walking parallel to the runway.... but otherwise, we were quite happy with how the day worked out, even though the long trips are starting to get tiring.

After passing beneath the Bernese Alps through the Lötschberg Tunnel we emerge in Canton Valais in the Rhone Valley, where miles upon miles of hillsides are covered in vineyards. In Canton Valais there are over 3000 km of these stone walls supporting 1500 hectares of vineyards. Some of the oldest vines exist in this area. 

In the city of Sion, a short bus ride takes us to the base of the the vineyards just to the North of the beautiful Valère Basilica.

 

Heading up into the vineyards, the view behind us is always of these two fascinating hills above the city of Sion

This view looks just like a painting

Ahead of us is Mont d'Orge on the left. First we plan to walk along the lake on its North side, then back around on the sunny side, then a short climb to the top

I never got tired of looking at this snow-covered peak to the West of us, in the direction we were heading

 

The Lac de Montorge was mostly in shadow as it's on the North side of the Mont d'Orge mountain, but we had some sunshine walking along its North shore. 

 

Where the sun does not reach, it's icy and frosty. 

It was cold but so beautiful

This view just takes your breath away

Heading West as quickly as we can so that we can circle around to the South and sunny side of the hill.

 

Finally on the South Side of Mont d'Orge and to the West the wide open Rhone Valley with kilometers of vineyards

 

Now we head East again, as the ascent to the top is on the East side of the hill

 

There used to be an irrigation channel here, but it is no longer in use. Still fun to walk along! Down below the sprawling city of Sion 

From here a short and steep ascent takes us to the very top of Mont d'Orge

 

This is all that is left of the Chateau de Montorge. One thing for sure, it was a very strategic location for a castle, as you could see in all directions from up there. 

 

A short distance past the castle is this look-out point, and we were surprised to see so many people up here! They must have come up directly from the lake, where there is a car park. We returned to the castle ruins for our lunch, because this is too many people for us.

Looking Northwest: Miles and Miles of vineyards

Trying not to fall out of the window!

Another view eastward up the Rhone Valley before heading back down the hill.

After we got back to lake level, we headed West again on the sunny side of the mountain, but lower down, along the "Bisse de Mont d'Orge", an ancient irrigation channel still in use but whose water has been now drained for winter. 

 

Walking along the "Bisse de Mont d'Orge" irrigation channel. These trails are level and comfortable and very very interesting, and I love walking along them. Down below the runway of the Sion Airport where lots of planes were noisily taking off. The sound unfortunately carries up the mountain. 

More terraced vineyards

Lots and lots of stone walls to create the terraces for the vineyards

Behind the rise on the left is the train station that we will ultimately be heading to. 

And this is a view of Mont d'Orge from the train heading back East toward Sion.

We still managed a 10-km, 3-hour hike, which is pretty standard for when we go hiking. 

We have also covered a lot of terrain in this area, hikes we did in previous years (purple is 2019)

It takes us about 3½ hours to travel from our home to Sion

Clavau Irrigation Channel in the Vineyards near Sion

(Post published on March 31, 2024)

Saturday March 12, 2016 -- It doesn’t always have to be green to be remarkable as we found out in this, our second hike in the miles and miles of vineyards in the Rhône Valley near Lake Geneva. 

Last year in fall we were in the Terraces of the Lavaux among a sea of yellows, and this time it was all brown but stunning just the same with the snow-capped Alps in the background, and the impressive dry-stone walls forming terraces as far as the eye can see. Our 2-hour walk along Trail no.36: "Chemin du Vignoble" (Vineyard Trail) and the terraces here took us from the village of St. Leonard up to the the Clavau irrigation Channel and toward the city of Sion with its ruins of the Chateau Tourbillon on a prominent hill always in our sights. After reaching Sion, we spent another couple of hours visiting the city and the ruins, as well as the fabulous Valère Basilica, the city's main landmark (built in 12th and 13th Centuries).  

There are over 50 varieties of grapes planted here, some of them the only place in the world where they are grown. The terraces are extraordinary, as all the walls are dry stone (no mortar), and at one point the 16m high wall boasts to be the highest dry-stone wall in the world. 

There was one small disappointment for me: I always photograph the information panels, but rarely read them on the spot (only after, when I do my blog entries) and this time missed a unique feature of the Basilica: A 15th Century organ which is the oldest organ in the world which can still be played. (It was so small that I didn't even notice it!)

From the train station in St.Léonard, we first had to make our way through the town and up the hill to reach the Clavau irrigation channel. We started at about noon. 

Heading uphill through the streets of St.Léonard

I always enjoy these interesting gargoyle rain spouts!

The town has some very attractive retaining walls. 

A look back across the roofs of St.Léonard and the Rhône Valley

In all we walked about 3½ hours although the section along Trail no.36: "Chemin du Vignoble" (Vineyard Trail) was only about two hours.  

Through this ravine flows the Liène River from Lac de Tseuzier, to enter the Rhône River at St.Léonard. 

A look back at St.Léonard as we reach the irrigation channel trail. 

A zoomed view of the church in St.Léonard

Looking down the steep vineyard into the ravine of La Liène river. 

Many looks behind us eastward as we head westward. 

It is always a pleasure to walk along the irrigation channels, particularly when the water is flowing!

Far in the distance to the west we can already see the prominent hill of Sion city with the ruins of the Tourbillon Chateau. 

The snow-covered peaks looming behind the terraces are simply magnificent

Every possible space is used for growing the vines!

Vineyards as far as the eye can see!

Coffee break. Below is the Rhône River. 

To build these terraces, the vintners first shaved off the cliff faces, used the larger rocks as base for the walls, and the smaller rocks were piled meters high. Then the space between the walls and the cliff face was filled with rocks and fertile soil.

Exceptional work to create these terraces. Also a good view of the Tourbillon Castle Ruins. 

These vineyards "Vignoble de la Cotsetta" ("Little Lost Corner") cover 3 hectares and include 3 hectares of dry stone walls built between 1890 and 1900, some as high as 16 m. The spot on the photo with the arrow claims to be the highest dry-stone wall in the world!

The House of Robert Gilliard has been looking after the upkeep of all of these walls, as they are a cultural heritage.

Approaching the city of Sion (or Sitten, which is its German name). 

Looking directly south now at the ruins of Chateau Tourbillon annd we are getting the first glimpse of the Notre Dame Basilica. 

A reminder that this is wine country!

A look at the ruins from below as we enter the city of Sion

That is both a Chateau and a Basilica. It is known as Valère. It is considered a fortified church, although the walls encompass a small village as well. 

Other interesting buildings in the city of Sion

Churches in Old Town Sion

Making our way through the city of Sion so we can climb up to the Chateau de Valère. 

Heading up the Valère Basilica

On the trail up to the church at the Chateau de Valère we now see the Tourbillon castle ruins from the south. 

I photographed the information panel to read up on the history later, but should have paid more attention, as they mentioned the unique organ, the oldest playable organ in the world! I didn't even notice it when we were in the church. 

Inside the 12th-Century romanesque Notre Dame Church at Valère. 

Details of the inside of the church (The photo of the organ is by Berra39 in WikiCommons). The famous organ was installed in the 1430's, and is the oldest original still playable organ in the world. 

A close look at the ruins of Chateau Tourbillon, where we are headed next (we had to walk back a bit, then up on the other hill)

Heading back down this first hill, we pass the "Chapelle de Tout-les-Saints", built in 1325, and restored in 1964

From the other hill (where the Tourbillon Castle ruins are), this is the view to the Valère Basilica (and the little "All-Saints" chapel on the left).  

Sitting on the old rampart walls of the Tourbillon Castle. 

Some history of Chateau de Tourbillon: Start of construction was approx. in the year 1300. The castle was set on fire and torn down in 1417, but rebuilt in the same Century, and kept its appearance till the 18th Century. Another fire in 1788, which destroyed about 1/3rd of the city of Sion, also destroyed the castle, which was never rebuilt.

View north across to the Clavau irrigation channel and the vineyards which we had walked through to get here. 

The walls of Chateau de Tourbillon. 

Heading back down into the city of Sion, where we walked around a bit before heading to the train station. 

Old Town Sion. We finished our walk here at about 5 p.m. The trip home by train from here takes about 3 hours 20 minutes. 

What our walk looks like on Google Satellite Maps. 

Location of Sion in Switzerland