Mauvoisin Dam Hiking Guide: The Perfect Alpine Basecamp
Tucked away at the end of the rugged Val de Bagnes in Switzerland lies a landscape of pure, unadulterated high-alpine drama. While most travelers congest the nearby resort streets of Verbier, those in the know drive past the valleys, past the waterfalls, and up the winding roads to where civilization gives way to ice and rock.
Your base camp? The historic, stone-walled Hôtel de Mauvoisin (1,840m). Your objective? A journey into an engineering marvel, passing roaring glacial torrents to trace the edges of Europe’s most dramatic turquoise reservoir. Here’s how to experience an amazing alpine trek - and why Mauvoisin is the perfect launchpad for your next high-altitude obsession.
An Engineering Marvel: The History of the Dam
Standing at an immense 250 m tall, the Mauvoisin Dam is the tallest concrete arch dam in Europe. Before you even begin your hike, its scale forces you to look up in pure awe:
Construction (1951–1958): Built across the brutal chasm of the Dranse de Bagnes River, thousands of workers labored under extreme high-alpine conditions to construct this variable-radius concrete arch. You will walk right through their old 392m construction tunnel, which has been transformed into a fascinating underground museum gallery showcasing the historical photographs and sheer grit it took to pull off this demanding feat.
Elevation (1991): To bolster winter electricity capacity for Switzerland, engineers undertook an incredible upgrade in the early 1990s, raising the dam crest by 13.5 meters to expand the reservoir's capacity to its current 211 million cubic meters.
The Main Event: The Lac de Mauvoisin Tour
Route at a Glance
Distance: ~18 kilometers
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~500 meters
Duration: 4.5 to 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (T2+ Alpine Hiking Trail).
Stage 1: Into the Belly of the Mountain
Leaving Hôtel de Mauvoisin, you immediately begin ascending the Sentier du Barrage. The trail doesn’t just take you to the dam - it takes you through it. You’ll plunge directly into the historical 392-meter-long former construction tunnel. Walking through the cool, damp cavern and studying the old engineering photos sets a powerful tone for the wilderness ahead.
Stage 2: Walking the High Concrete Dam
You emerge from the mountain directly onto the crown of the colossal Mauvoisin Dam. Walking across its high crest is pure vertigo-inducing magic. Look north, and the Val de Bagnes chasm plunges away into a dizzying abyss of sheer rock. Turn south, and you are greeted by the striking, milky-turquoise expanse of Lac de Mauvoisin, shimmering like a jewel trapped in stone.
Stage 3: Waterfalls, Tunnels & Ancient Ice
Once across the crest, you hit the eastern bank. The path here is a spectacular architectural feat, dynamically carved directly out of the rockface via a sequence of open-air galleries and windowed tunnels. As the tunnels dissolve into a classic alpine singletrack, you are treated to a parade of geographical wonders:
Le Pleureur (3,703m): This massive, jagged peak towers ominously directly above the eastern shoreline, its steep couloirs frame your entire trek.
The Grand Combin Massif: Glimpses of the sprawling, glaciated Grand Combin (4,314m) dominate the horizon looking south, coated in immense, brilliant walls of ancient ice.
The Giétro Glacier & Waterfall: A thundering roar echoes across the water as you approach the spectacular Cascade du Giétro. This booming waterfall is fed by the melting waters of the Giétro Glacier high above.
Keep pushing south. The terrain flattens into an otherworldly, wild gravel delta at the very end of the reservoir near the Pont du Lancet. Surrounded by glacial plains, it feels like reaching the edge of the earth.
Stage 4: The Quiet Return
Cross the glacial streams at the far delta and track back northward along the remote western shore. This side offers a completely different, panoramic perspective of the peaks you just hiked beneath, safely guiding you back to the dam wall and down to the hotel for a well-deserved meal.
Basecamp: Hôtel de Mauvoisin
Originally built in 1863 to accommodate early Victorian mountaineers, the Hôtel de Mauvoisin has been stunningly modernized while keeping its rugged, stone-masonry soul intact. It operates as a warm, welcoming hybrid between an alpine lodge and a boutique mountain retreat.
The real surprise? The culinary scene. Forget basic mountain stews - the hotel’s restaurant boasts a celebrated bistronomic menu orchestrated by an expert chef. After 4-5 hours on the trail, you can sit on the sun-soaked terrace or inside the wildflower-adorned dining room and indulge in:
Masterfully grilled local meats and homemade frites. Seasonal chanterelle and wild mushroom tarts. A decadent dessert of warm, tart rhubarb paired with crisp Valais meringue and double cream.
Beyond the Dam: More Epic Excursions for Multi Day Adventures
If you use the hotel as a multi-day base, the valley opens up into a playground for world-class alpine adventures:
1. The Ascent to Cabane de Chanrion (2,462m)
The Vibe: Remote, high-altitude sanctuary. The Route: Continue past the far end of the Lac de Mauvoisin reservoir instead of looping back. The trail climbs steadily up into the protected Haut Val de Bagnes nature reserve to the ultra-modern Chanrion Hut. It is a haven for viewing ibex, marmots, and sweeping glacial plateaus.
2. The Tour des Combins (Multi-Day Trek)
The Vibe: The ultimate alternative to the crowded Tour du Mont Blanc. The Route: Hôtel de Mauvoisin serves as a critical stage stop on this epic 6-day international trekking circuit that loops around the entire Grand Combin massif, crossing high passes between Switzerland and Italy.
3. Cabane FXB Panossière & The Corbassière Glacier & Bridge
See my other article on this great hike…
4. Gorges de Mauvoisin Via Ferrata
For those who prefer more vertical mountain adventures, dropping down into the sheer, water-carved canyon directly beneath the dam is a thrilling, two-part VF link up.
Both routes track through the depths of the gorge and exit directly onto the hotel's terrace.
Saxifrage (P1): A fantastic, accessible warm-up rated K3 C (quite difficult). Spanning 220 m, it features 320 iron rungs and a fun 15m suspension bridge over the rushing Dranse River.
Tichodrome (P2): For seasoned thrill-seekers, the path continues into a sporty segment rated K4+ D+ (difficult). This route forces you much higher up the dizzying, vertical gorge walls, demanding a steady head for heights as you cross six swaying, suspended three-cable bridges - including a massive 65-m-long crossing hanging 55m above the roaring canyon floor.
Getting There: Public Transport Access
Despite its wild, end-of-the-world feel, Mauvoisin is highly accessible via Switzerland’s legendary public transit network:
Train to Le Châble: Take the regional train from the valley hub of Martigny directly to Le Châble, the valley base station for the Verbier ski resort.
Postal Bus to the Trailhead: From Le Châble, hop on the scenic CarPostal (PostBus) Line 244 heading deep into the Val de Bagnes.
Finale: The bus winds its way up through picturesque alpine villages, terminating directly at the Mauvoisin, Hôtel, right beside your base camp…
Note that the hotel is very popular and the season is short, so prior reservations are required.
This hike was done by the Author on the 21st of August 2025, unfortunately it was raining so the photos are a bit grey and I didn't complete the whole lake tour...
Contact me by email for photos or to ask questions.
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