The Valais irrigation channels: walking along the water, between sky and mountain

Apr 9
2 min read

What if, for once, you followed the path of the water? No summit to conquer, no time to beat. Just the pleasure of walking, observing, slowing down. An invitation to rediscover the mountains in a different way—more humble, more sensitive. And perhaps, around a bend, to realize that true luxury… is simply following the flow of the water.

In the canton of Valais, Switzerland, there are trails unlike any other. Here, you don't just hike in the mountains. You walk alongside centuries-old irrigation channels, clinging to the cliffside, winding between forests, vineyards, and alpine pastures. They are called bisses . Ingenious, spectacular, and peaceful, they tell another story of the mountains: the story of the people who harnessed water to sustain the land.

The irrigation channels, a living heritage

The bisses date back to the Middle Ages. At a time when rainfall was scarce in certain valleys, the inhabitants devised these channels to divert water from the glaciers and irrigate their crops. Dug by hand, sometimes suspended from vertiginous cliffs, they represent a true feat of engineering. Even today, some are still in use. Others have been restored and transformed into accessible hiking trails, allowing visitors to discover this unique heritage… at the gentle pace of the flowing water.

Walking along an irrigation channel: a sensory experience

What is striking is not just the setting — it's the atmosphere.

The constant murmur of water accompanies every step. The shade of the larches provides welcome coolness, even in the height of summer. And the route, often almost flat, makes the walk accessible to everyone. Here, you don't need to be an experienced hiker! The bisses offer another way to discover the mountains: gentler, more contemplative, almost meditative.