Bisse Neuf hike
Starting point, Venthône, Valais. Loop, 6.16 km. Elevation range 825 masl (metres above sea level) — 1005 masl. Climb 331 m, descent 341 m. Hike type, easy. Date completed: 30 July 2022.
Hike features
Pleasantly shady for much of the walk. A fine collection of interesting panels about the water supply and how the bisse irrigation system works, the Mediterranean Pfyn (Finges in French) forest and more. Uncrowded.
Wine
Venthône is a village with several small wineries that offer very good value for money. Be sure to contact them ahead for an appointment. Suggestions: Mabillard-Fuchs: Alzarine, a flavourful red blend of Pinot Noir, Gamaret, Gamay. Cave de la Pierre: a Syrah from vines near the trail, good depth and complexity.
This is the first hike of many I plan to share here and include in newsletters, to encourage others who love wine to get out and enjoy Swiss trails and explore local wineries. This continues the work I did in 2021 and 2022 for my new book, Wine Hiking Switzerland, explore the landscape of Swiss wine (publication 6 September, Helvetiq, in English, German, French). The book is a very fun collection of 50 wines I selected from across the country, information about the wineries that make them — and 50 illustrated hikes of 7 to 20 km to reach them. Buyers gain access to online maps similar to the one above, but with step-by-step descriptions of my recorded route as well.
