Summer holiday in Valais: hiking, road climbs and lakes from Les Collons
Our chalet in Les Masses is your summer base in Valais, for a family of 4 or 5 or a group of up to 12. Mountain lakes an hour's drive or less. The Grande Dixence climb starts in Sion.
Hiking in Valais: earth pyramids 18 minutes away
The chalet stands in Les Masses, municipality of Hérémence, in the Val d'Hérens. Most hikes here start a short drive away.
The Euseigne pyramids are 18 min by car (OSRM). These earth pillars with stone caps are free to visit on foot.
In Veysonnaz and Nendaz, paths follow the bisses, old irrigation channels. Nendaz has 250 km of trails and 8 bisses.
For experienced hikers, the Sentier des Bouquetins starts at the Grande Dixence dam. It is 12 km, about 4 hours and 540 m of climbing, open July to mid-September.
Four mountain lakes, an hour's drive or less
Four lakes are about an hour's drive or less away. OSRM drive times tend to be optimistic in the mountains.
- Lac des Dix, behind the Grande Dixence dam: 34 min by car (OSRM). A walk along the dam crest takes about 45 minutes.
- Lac Bleu d'Arolla: 39 min by car (OSRM) to La Gouille, then about 40 minutes on foot. A short path for families.
- Lac de Tseuzier: 52 min by car (OSRM). An easy 4.6 km loop, about 1 h 30, partly fine for a pushchair. Parking is limited, so come early.
- Lac de Moiry, at 2,250 m: 66 min by car (OSRM). The loop around the lake is 13.4 km, about 4.5 hours.
Road cycling in Valais: 1,650 m up to Grande Dixence
Two long climbs start close to the chalet. Sion, at the foot of the Grande Dixence climb, is 28 min by car (OSRM).
Sion to the Grande Dixence dam: 26.6 km, 1,650 m of climbing, 6.2% on average and 10% at most. Bikes stop at the foot of the dam.
The climb to Thyon 2000 is 20.5 km at 7.7% on average. The road to the dam closes in winter; in 2026 it opened on 4 June.
For a longer day, Martigny is 45 min by car (OSRM). From there, the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard climb is 42.1 km with 2,046 m of climbing.
The pass is at 2,472 m. Take a light for the long galleries after Bourg-Saint-Pierre.
12 MTB routes, 246 km in total
Around Thyon there are 12 mountain bike and e-bike routes, 246 km in total.
In 2026 the Thyon lifts ran in summer only from 11 July to 16 August. Dates for 2027 are not yet published.
In Nendaz and Veysonnaz, the summer lifts ran until 25 October 2026 and carried bikes free of charge.
The Tour du Mont-Fort MTB pass uses the lifts of Veysonnaz and Nendaz. An adult day cost CHF 55 in summer 2026.
Summer in Valais with kids: scooters and cheese
The chalet suits a family of 4 or 5, grandparents included. Activities for children are close by.
- Off-road scooters from the top of the Les Masses chairlift: 2.72 km and 428 m down, about 30 minutes. From age 8 and 135 cm. In 2026 they ran with the summer lifts, 11 July to 16 August.
- Cheese-making on the Alpage de Thyon: Wednesdays in July and August, 18:00 to 20:00. Adults CHF 25, children CHF 15 (summer 2026).
- On a rainy day: Les Grands Bains d'Hérémence, spa and pools, daily 11:00 to 20:30. Adult day ticket CHF 50 (as of 15.10.2026).
- Back at the chalet: the hot tub on the terrace, the infrared sauna and a table for 12.
Day trips: Zermatt, Aletsch, Sion's castles
Drive times are from the chalet, calculated with OSRM. In the mountains they are optimistic, so allow extra time.
- Sion old town, Valère and Tourbillon: 28 min by car (OSRM), or bus 371 in about 40 minutes.
- Aletsch Glacier, 20 km long and UNESCO-listed since 2001: 73 min by car (OSRM) to Mörel, then a cable car.
- Gornergrat above Zermatt: 3,100 m, with 28 peaks over 4,000 m in view. 87 min by car (OSRM) to Täsch, then the train.
- Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva: 69 min by car (OSRM). Adults CHF 15, children CHF 7 (as of 15.10.2026).
- Great St Bernard Hospice, 2,472 m, with St Bernard dogs in summer: 88 min by car (OSRM).
- Montreux Jazz Festival, 2 to 17 July 2027: 73 min by car (OSRM) to Montreux.
A summer base in Les Masses, 1.8 km by road from the chairlift. 4 to 12 guests, hot tub open all year, infrared sauna.
Asked before booking, answered straight
When does summer start around Les Collons?
Roads to the high dams and lakes open in June. The Grande Dixence road opened on 4 June 2026. The Thyon lifts ran from 11 July to 16 August 2026; 2027 dates are not yet published.
How far are the hikes and lakes from the chalet?
The Euseigne pyramids are 18 min by car, Grande Dixence 34 min and Lac de Tseuzier 52 min (OSRM). In the mountains, allow extra time.
Is the area good for a road cycling holiday in Valais?
Yes. Sion to the Grande Dixence dam is 26.6 km with 1,650 m of climbing. Thyon 2000 is 20.5 km at 7.7%. Sion is 28 min by car (OSRM).
Is there mountain biking near the chalet?
Yes. Around Thyon there are 12 mountain bike and e-bike routes, 246 km in total. In summer 2026, the lifts in Nendaz and Veysonnaz carried bikes free.
Does the chalet suit a family of 4 or 5, or a group of 12?
Yes. There are 5 bedrooms plus a mezzanine, 5 bathrooms with showers and one table for 12. A lift links the floors and the entrance has no steps.
Can we get there without a car?
Bus 371 runs from Sion station to the Les Masses, Darbelenne stop in about 40 minutes. In summer 2026 it ran 5 times a day. For lakes and day trips, a car is easier.