Our drone, July 2026
Grande Dixence dam and Lac des Dix, 34 minutes from our door
The Grande Dixence dam is 285 m of concrete in Hérémence, our own municipality. Season, prices, the drive from Les Masses and the walks along Lac des Dix, all on this page.
Grande Dixence dam: 285 m high, crest at 2,365 m
The Grande Dixence dam is 285 m high and its crest lies at 2,365 m. The operator describes it as the tallest gravity dam in the world.
Behind the wall lies Lac des Dix, at the head of the Val des Dix. From the crest you look over the lake and the peaks on one side and down the valley towards Hérémence on the other.
Cable car to the crest, then inside the wall
In 2026 the cable car to the crest ran from 4 June to 25 October, non-stop from 9:05 to 17:55 between 4 July and 13 September. A cabin leaves every 10 minutes and the ride takes 4 minutes. The cabins are wheelchair accessible.
The guided tour takes you inside the wall. It lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes, takes up to 30 people and runs 5 times a day in high season. Dates for 2027 have not been published yet.
- Cable car return: CHF 10 per adult, CHF 5 per child aged 6 to 16; one way CHF 7 and CHF 3.50
- Guided tour: CHF 10 per adult, CHF 6 per child aged 6 to 15
- Forfait Découverte (tour and cable car): CHF 16 and CHF 8
- Forfait Bûcheron (with axe throwing, from 19 June): CHF 34, children from 14 CHF 18
- Forfait TITANS (with a tasting of 4 wines): CHF 39, groups of 10 to 20 people only
- 2026 season prices, as of 15.10.2026; Swiss rail passes and the Half Fare card are not accepted on the cable car
Lac des Dix: 45 minutes along the crest
The walk along the crest takes about 45 minutes and gives a 360° view. It is free; only the cable car is paid.
For experienced hikers, the Sentier des Bouquetins starts at the dam from July to mid-September: 12 km, about 4 hours and 540 m of ascent, with the Col des Roux at 2,800 m as the high point. Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes to the Cabane de Prafleuri along Lac des Dix.
26.6 km and 1,650 m: the climb from Sion
The climb from Sion to the Grande Dixence is a well-known road cycling route: 26.6 km, 1,650 m of climbing, 6.2% average and 10% maximum gradient, finishing at 2,141 m. It passes through Hérémence and Pralong. Bikes go only as far as the foot of the dam.
The Thyon-Dixence race runs from Thyon to the dam on 1 August 2027: 16.35 km and 700 m of ascent.
34 minutes by car, June to October only
From the chalet it is 18.1 km by road to the dam, about 34 minutes by car (OSRM calculation). In summer a scheduled bus also runs up from Sion. The road is closed in winter; in 2026 it opened on 4 June.
The visiting season runs from June to October. Outside those months the dam cannot be visited.
Our chalet is 18.1 km from the Grande Dixence dam, about 34 minutes by car (OSRM), and 1.8 km by road from the Les Masses chairlift.
Asked before booking, answered straight
How do I get to the Grande Dixence dam from Les Collons or Les Masses?
By car it takes about 34 minutes and 18.1 km from our chalet (OSRM). In summer a scheduled bus also runs from Sion to the dam. The road is closed in winter.
When is the Grande Dixence dam open?
From June to October. In 2026 the cable car ran from 4 June to 25 October. Dates for 2027 have not been published yet (as of 15.10.2026).
How much does a visit cost?
2026 season, as of 15.10.2026: guided tour CHF 10 per adult and CHF 6 per child aged 6 to 15; cable car return CHF 10 and CHF 5; Forfait Découverte CHF 16 and CHF 8. The crest walk is free.
How much time do I need?
About 45 minutes for the crest walk, about 1 hour 15 minutes for the guided tour, plus 34 minutes' drive each way. A morning or an afternoon is enough.
Is the Grande Dixence a good trip with children?
Yes. Children aged 6 to 15 pay a reduced price for the guided tour, and the cable car cabins are wheelchair accessible. The Sentier des Bouquetins is for experienced hikers only.