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Whether you’re looking for peace and relaxation, cool, fresh air, a sporty challenge on foot or by bike, or you simply want to explore this vast Alpine playground, you have plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors of Verbier and the Val de Bagnes. Mountain bikers (e-bike, cross-country, downhill or enduro) can choose from more than 800km of trails. On foot, walkers have access to more than 500km of paths, and trail runners can choose between 21 marked routes.
There are 12 bike-friendly hotels waiting to greet riders and you can enjoy delicious mountain cuisine in the six mountain huts dotted around the slopes. Ten ski lifts remain open throughout the summer season - and there's nothing like a gondola ride to take the strain out of exploring the highest points, such as Mont-Fort at 3,330m. And if you fancy a change of activity, 1,400m of zipwires are ready to give you an astonishing birds'-eye view of the spectacular scenery.
Where is Verbier?
Verbier is in the Val de Bagnes in the canton of Valais in south-western Switzerland. The village sits on a south-oriented plateau at around 1,500m facing the Grand Combin massif. The nearest airport is Sion, however most UK visitors will take the 90-minute flights to the more popular gateway airports such as Geneva, Zurich, Bern and Basel, and use the excellent Swiss rail network for onward travel to Verbier.
Why take a summer holiday in Verbier?
One of the world's most prestigious winter ski resorts, Verbier is also a multifaceted summer destination, with more than 300km² of fun and adventure across six different resorts. Sporty, relaxing, traditional, stylish, natural, friendly and extreme - the summer visitor to Verbier will experience a heady mix of feel-good emotions and intense excitement in the heart of the Valais.
A lively, dynamic destination, Verbier's heart beats to the rhythm of its summer events calendar: Verbier and Palp Festivals for music lovers; the Trail Verbier St-Bernard and the Tour des Stations for top athletes; the E-Bike Festival and Inspire Yoga Festival for nature lovers.
Prefer the shoulder seasons? Take a look at our rundown of the best autumn activities in Verbier for even more possibilities.
The best hiking routes in Verbier
Hiking Verbier, Switzerland, is an opportunity to connect with nature, explore mountain landscapes, enjoy incredible views and discover local treasures of culture and cuisine along Verbier's hiking trails. Here is a selection of the best hikes in Verbier. If you have time for one more make it a hike to the beautiful Lac des Vaux. There are a lot of great ways to get to the lake, but all inevitably end in a very cooling dip!
Sentier des Chamois
Distance: 14.4km
Duration: 5hr 15min
Difficulty: Challenging
The Sentier des Chamois is the ideal walk to try and get closer to the wildlife of the region. You have the option of starting your hike at Les Ruinettes or La Chaux, both of which are accessible by gondola. From La Chaux you can view the famous Grand and Petit Combin Mountains which are still covered in snow even in the heat of summer. After a short downhill stretch to begin, the route then goes dizzyingly up towards the Col Termin, before descending again to the sunny terrace of the Cabane de Louvie at 2,250 m. The walk ends with a descent to the village of Fionnay. Along the way you may be lucky enough to spot chamois and ibex.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
Tour du Bec de Sery
Distance: 10.3km
Duration: 4hr
Difficulty: Hard
An out and back route, with a big loop. You start your ascent from the Cabane Brunet towards the Col des Avouillons. To reach the pass, you go through the so-called “Pron Sery”, a relaxing space full of flowing rivers and streams. The climb is quite steep, but the reward is more than worth it when you reach the vantage point overlooking the Corbassière glacier as well as the Combins massif. Start your descent down to the foot of the glacier to reach the famous Passerelle de Corbassière which crosses the glacier's moraine at a height of 70m! Return via La Maye using the Sery walkway to return to the trail’s starting point, Cabane Brunet.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
Bisse du Levron
Distance: 12.1km
Duration: 3hr
Difficulty: Very easy
A gentle sweeping hike in and around Verbier village, which serves as a brilliant introduction to the area's famous 'bisses' - ancient irrigation channels that once carried water from glaciers and alpine springs to the valleys. The paths that run alongside are now pleasant walks. Starting from Les Ruinettes, you pick up the start of the Bisse du Levron which is located above the arrival of the gondola. Halfway along this family walk through the pastures lie a number of mountain restaurants - Namasté, Marmotte or Marlénaz - all of which are great for a welcome break. Don’t miss a chance to admire the the “Chute du Bisse“ before returning by the wood sculptures path. This bisse contains water from early June to late October.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
Pierre Avoi
Distance: 6.6km
Duration: 3hr
Difficulty: Hard
A short but testing route from neighbouring village of La Tzoumaz. Reaching a height of 2,473m, the Pierre Avoi towers over the resorts of Verbier and La Tzoumaz. The 360-degree view from its summit extends from the Rhône Valley (from Sion to Martigny) to the Combins Massif by way of Le Catogne and Mont Blanc and is simply breathtaking. It can be reached from Verbier or La Tzoumaz by cable car from the top of Savoleyres.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
La Crevasse
Distance: 8.8km
Duration: 3hr 30min
Difficulty: Hard
A relatively tough hiking itinerary in the nearby Volleges area. The starting point is in Le Levron. From there, follow the path that leads up towards the Col du Tronc pass (1,580m), followed by a climb towards La Crevasse (1,807m). Hikers are greeted at the summit by a magnificent 360° panoramic view that includes the Combins massif, the Catogne, the Pierre Avoi and the Grand Chavalard, but you are advised not to approach the edge of the cliff! Views viewed, you head back down towards the Col des Planches and return to the Col du Tronc via the forest path. From there, return to Le Levron via the same path you came up on.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
The best bike and cycle rides in Verbier
With more than 800 km of trails and mountain roads, Verbier is regarded as one of the mountain bike capitals of Switzerland and also one of the best in Europe. It also has a renowned bike park featuring nine different trails with unique landscapes.
Cabane Chanrion
Distance: 29km
Difficulty: Easy
E-biking is constantly growing and improving and this roughly four hour itinerary around Mauvoisin is perfect for everyone who appreciates a bit of help! After a short climb to the top of the Mauvoisin dam, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Val de Bagnes. From there, a few twists and turns through the galleries and tunnels of the dam will bring you back into the daylight and you can enjoy a pleasant ride along the Mauvoisin lake in the heart of the protected area of the Haut Val de Bagnes. A steady ascent brings you up to the terrace of the acclaimed hut Cabane Chanrion at 2,462m, where you can relax before starting your return to Mauvoisin. You can also book an overnight stay if you want more time to explore.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
Tour du Mont-Fort
Distance: 49km
Difficulty: easy/moderate
The Tour du Mont-Fort is a mountain bike circuit that links three resorts: Nendaz, Verbier and La Tzoumaz. Riding clockwise, you will have two options, depending on your skill level. The Pro Rider option is aimed at those who want to push themselves with as few lifts as possible. The Easy Rider option is the one most accessible to a most visitors, such as active families with children over 12 years old. This option includes taking the lifts of Verbier and Nendaz-Veysonnaz, and is the perfect choice for a nice day out in the mountains to discover the joys of mountain biking.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
Bruson (red route)
Distance: 30km
Difficulty: moderate
This point-to-point route for mountain bikes and e-bikes starts at the top of the Bruson gondola and heads towards the Croix du Six Blanc before making a long traverse along a beautiful trail. The itinerary continues with a good descent before going up to the Cabane Brunet. It then descends towards Champsec along a more technical path, before the finish in Le Châble.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
Tour de la Pierre Avoi
Distance: 37km
Difficulty: easy
Starting from Les Ruinettes, this itinerary for mountain bikes and e-bikes takes you in the direction of the Croix de Coeur by a beautiful and very easy route. You will then descend towards La Tzoumaz. The route then continues to the Col du Lein and the Col du Tronc before returning to Le Châble via Le Levron and Cries.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
Verbier tour
Distance: 30km
Difficulty: moderate/hard
This route starts with a demanding climb from Médran to Savoleyres, and is best attempted with an e-bike. The route then joins La Croix de Coeur and follows La Planie to Les Ruinettes. From there, you can reach Les Fontanets by chairlift or courtesy your own pedal power. The trail descends via the 'Tsenelle' flow trail to La Chaux and then back down to Le Châble via a beautiful path through the mayens.
For more information about this route, go to verbier.ch
Check out these itineraries and more on the hiking map available for free at the tourist office.
Top tip
Using the VIP PASS, guests who stay at least one night in Verbier can enjoy free travel on all bus routes throughout the Val de Bagnes area. Pedestrians also benefit from free travel on selected ski lifts and cyclists receive a 50% discount on the daily pass.
