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Chamoson, Ovronnaz

We were staying in a rented Chalet in Mayens de Chamoson.

The village is spreading all over the slope above Chamoson with its Vineyards, scattered with lovely Chalets. After crossing the hilltop we're in Ovronnaz, a vacation town with a modern Thermal bath and winter sport infrastructure. A chair lift (in operation during main season, summer mid July thtough Oct) runs to Bougnone (1939 m) with hiking trails, among others, to the Rambert hut..

For hikers a interesting hiking network is ready. Between Leytron and Ovronnaz and between Sion and Mayens de Chamoson a public bus service (Postauto) is in operation.

A "must" is probably the Ardeve tour.
From the lovely chapel in Mayens de Chamoson (bus stop) to the lookout (here begins the descent to Chamoson) and back it takes about 2.5 hours. The view from the foot of the rocky peak is terrific.

	Chappelle, Ardeve
	Mayens de Chamoson Chamosentze
	Vineyards

A bit more strenuous is the hike to Chamosentze.
From village chapel of Mayens de Chamoson we choose the road to the right, that will bring us to Patier. From here a lovely track runs along the old watering channel (called a "Bisse") up to the site where the water used to be fed into the system. For crossing the river Grand Tsene (after merging with the Torrent de Cry, the new river will become La Losentse) we had to take the shoes off. On the other side of the water the track gets very steep, zigzaging up and along the ridge to the alp hut.

	Track to Chamosentze along the old "Bisse"
	Chamosentze, Haut de Cry

Remarkable (like on many other places in the Valais region), how smartly the water was seized and guided over many Km on natural and artificial channels to be distributed into the dry fields. The use of the system was regulated by strict rules.
For hikes along many "Bisse" in the Kanton Wallis a special brochure is available.
From Chamosentze it's a comfortable road down to Loutse. The track then runs along the ski lift, fairly steep to where we started. "Cost" about 5 hours.

Ovronnaz - Bougnone: To Saille this is the same track as for Rambert hut. Near the "Centre sportif" a lovely hiking trail runs parallel the creek. Trees spend some shade, later when we've gained some height, it gets a bit cooler and the track narrows.
Reaching the alp Saille we turn left for Bougnone. Straight on we would reach Rambert hut (2 hrs).
The track from Saille to Bougnone is almost flat and crosses alpine flora. The view is superb.
The shortest track back to Ovronnaz is by alp Odonne. The hiking track is rather steep, although there is a less steep but longer drive way.
Of course, there is also the chairlift (In operation July through September)!

Longer tours with start in Ovronnaz: e.g. to Rambert hut on Grand Muverans, or into the Derborence valley (6 hrs. Bus to Sion 4:30 PM, July through Sept).

There are many old little towns in the valley.

So e.g. Saillon, right in the vineyards.

The hill can't be overlooked. Part of the village walls serve also for walls of the houses inside the town. The tower can be climbed on a narrow spiral staircase.

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