Mice in Switzerland, the Other Cheese Country! (page 5 of 19)

For the Vercors, I’m talking about nature and hikes, obviously!

For Chamonix, the thing is we won’t be far away. We’re not gonna leave just to come back to the area.

It’s mainly for taking the cable cars up for the ascents. But the weather’s pretty unpredictable.

For the Vercors, I'm talking about nature and hikes, of course!

For Chamonix, the thing is we won't be far. We're not gonna leave just to come back to the area.

It's obviously for taking the cable cars up for the ascents. But the weather's pretty unpredictable.

35°C today, and next week's looking super hot. But if you wanna make the most of the area, come back later!! 🏴‍☠️

Well, if we go, it’ll be at the end of August.

And so I don’t have any gear for high-altitude temperatures since it wasn’t really planned...

Well, if we go, it’ll be at the end of August.

And so I don’t have any gear for high-altitude temperatures since it wasn’t really planned...

End of August should be fine—the rush will have passed. But if you want to head up to the Aiguille, stop by Décathlon in Passy (or Intersport in Sallanches) before going up and gear up at least a little. It can get really chilly up there!

I live in Haute-Savoie, on the French shore of Lake Geneva, facing the Lavaux vineyards. When I want to show the mountains to people who aren’t familiar with them, Chamonix isn’t my first choice—the town is at 1,000m, at the bottom of a steep valley "crushed" by the Mont Blanc Massif, which peaks at over 4,800m. But if you go up to the Aiguille du Midi (I think it’s 3,800m), it’s absolutely breathtaking! You’re close to Mont Blanc and the peaks, you see the climbers... unforgettable, but super expensive and really crowded (book tickets, park in far-away lots...). I’ve never been there in the middle of summer! So, I take my friends to see the Swiss mountains near Interlaken: the Jungfrau, Eiger, Mönch. We take the cable car up to Männlichen and then hike down to the little train at Kleine Scheidegg while admiring the mountains and glaciers. It’s also pricey, but you get to enjoy the mountain scenery more. But you’ve already been to that area... If you go back to Gruyère, there’s the Pays d’Enhaut, which is lovely, with the largest Swiss chalet in Rossinière. If you’ve got the budget and patience, you could try Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi—otherwise, the Swiss Alps in Valais, as recommended by our Swiss friends. Have a great end to your vacation.

Hi there! Evian’s not bad either ;) Oddly enough, for me the most beautiful view of the valley isn’t from the top of the Aiguille (3842 m, I confirm) but from across the way! From the top of the Brévent cable car (2500 m), the view of the massif is simply breathtaking (when it’s clear). The Aiguilles Rouges are, in my opinion, the best hikes in the area.

You can even catch some festivals! Cosmojazz 2025

Very close to Sion, you can walk the Bisse de Savièse. The history of the bisses (mountain irrigation channels) in Valais is fascinating, and the one in Savièse is really nice to do. No need to pay if you walk along the bisse. Here’s some info: https://www.torrent-neuf.ch/

The Val d’Anniviers is gorgeous. The village of Grimentz is really pretty. You can drive all the way to the Moiry Dam. You’ll need to drive to the parking lot at the end of the lake, right at the foot of the glacier.

The Val d’Anniviers is really beautiful. The village of Grimentz is so pretty

Earlier (I was thinking about Grimentz), I made a mistake—I mentioned the Val d'Hérémence when it’s actually the Val d’Anniviers. I have friends in the Val d'Herens, and I once did a hike with them from Eison to a village whose name I’ve forgotten—near the Grande Dixence Dam. From there, we went to Grimentz, and I was convinced the village was in the Val d'Hérémence. I can confirm Grimentz is a must-see!

In Sion, especially Valère and Tourbillon.

In the valleys, Evolène, Grimentz...

I spent a week of vacation there a few years ago. The Blue Lake of AROLLA... "STUNNING"! Rarely have I seen water so transparent! Even Google photos don’t do the place justice compared to how beautiful it is in real life.

For Sion, free parking for 12 hours (if I remember correctly) behind the Sion stadium. (At the corner of Route d’Herens and the highway on the map side of the stadium)

For Zurich, I can only encourage you to go! I spent some time there, and many days in the city—when it comes to tranquility and safety, it must beat any village of over 2,000 people in Western Europe. That’s how good it feels there!

Oh well, if we go, it’ll be at the end of August.

And I don’t have any gear for high-altitude temperatures since it wasn’t really planned...

End of August should be fine—the rush will have passed. But if you want to head up to the Aiguille, stop by Décathlon in Passy (or Intersport in Sallanches) before going up and gear up a bit. It can get really chilly up there!

Exactly!

We’re in Zug right now. Cute but small. And it’s way too hot...

So since I extended the stay, I hope it’ll be okay...

Hello Evian is pretty nice too 😉 Paradoxically, for me, the most beautiful view of the valley isn’t at the top of the Aiguille (3842m, I confirm) but across from it! From the top of the Brévent cable car (2500m), the view of the massif is simply breathtaking (when it’s clear). The Aiguilles Rouges are, in my opinion, the best hikes in the area.

You can even catch some festivals! Cosmojazz 2025



Yeah, that’s the idea!

I’m jotting down everything you’re telling me, but time-wise, it just might work out.

We’ll be north of Lausanne, not in Valais, so we’ll see

Very close to Sion, you can do the Bisse de Savièse. The history of the bisses (mountain irrigation channels) in Valais is interesting, and the one in Savièse is really nice to walk. No need to pay if you walk along the bisse. Some info here https://www.torrent-neuf.ch/

I went there about a month ago—the bisse was open for two-thirds of the way and then blocked off.

And 10 years ago, I only crossed the first suspension bridge, but my wife was totally stressed, so we had to give up...

Because yes, if you're prone to vertigo, forget this walk. If not, then go for it—it’s really nice! !

I actually suffer from vertigo.

I can't do suspension bridges... Even indoor walkways freak me out 🐭

I do suffer from vertigo, actually.

I can't handle suspension bridges... Even indoor walkways freak me out 😅

Definitely skip that bisse then! 😇

No way! I checked, never in a million years 😮

I looked up the places suggested on Google, and it really makes me want to spend a few full days in Valais...

We'll see, depending on the weather/accommodation combo. That way, we'll arrive in Chamonix by the end of August—much better 😇

No way! I checked, never in a million years

I don’t find it that exposed, honestly. Lots of families do it with kids. Check this one out—it’s way worse 😉 https://www.anzere.ch/fr/experiences/au-fil-de-l-eau/se-balader-le-long-des-bisses/le-grand-bisse-d-ayent-3231

But if you get vertigo, there are other bisses you can do that aren’t as high up.

There was a bug on VF—I couldn’t upload photos taken at the Aiguille du Midi or delete a message. Today it’s working though! 🙂

No way! I checked, never in my life

I don’t find it that exposed. Lots of families do it with kids. Check this one out, it’s way worse 😉 https://www.anzere.ch/fr/experiences/au-fil-de-l-eau/se-balader-le-long-des-bisses/le-grand-bisse-d-ayent-3231

But if you get vertigo, there are other bisses you can do that aren’t as high up.

That’s already too much 🐭

A few days in Valais would be nice depending on the weather.

Lake Arolla is really beautiful! Is it less touristy over there?

I’d love to stay in the Bernese Oberland someday, but it seems complicated...

Well, we’ve got to leave the apartment, and it’s hot out—doesn’t make me want to go for a walk 🥵

Lake Arolla is very beautiful! Is it less touristy there, then?

The little blue lake is touristy, but you have to hike to reach it, which still limits the crowds. Maybe go on a weekday instead of the weekend. But it’s far from being super touristy.

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, Moiry Lake is really nice, and the view is truly stunning. You’re at the foot of the glacier, you can walk around the lakes formed by the glacier, follow the stream, and also stroll along Moiry Lake, which has a gorgeous color. In my photo, those are the lakes formed by the glacier. You can drive there and visit the village of Grimentz on the way back.

If you go to Arolla, stop at the Pyramids of Euseigne to take a photo.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate—I know the Valais canton well, as well as the Bernese Oberland.

For another trip to Switzerland, if you love mountains and villages with beautifully decorated houses, I recommend the Graubünden canton.

Another stunning canton is Ticino. It’s Switzerland’s version of Italy. ;)

We live near Morges, not far from Lausanne, so if you want tips for this region...

By the way, on a clear day, the view from Dent de Vaulion is lovely.

Alright! How long is the walk to Lac d'Arolla? If the weather’s nice, I’m already thinking we’ll extend our trip to Lausanne. I haven’t looked into accommodations in Valais yet.

I didn’t find any discussions about Graubünden or the Bernese Oberland.

Ticino, yes, but not necessarily this season...

It’s way too hot here right now. We’ll still swing by Olten though.

We took a break in Aarburg for the view.