Bisse du Torrent Neuf: Suspension Bridges & Ancient Trails in Sion
The Bisse du Torrent Neuf hike above Sion is a thrilling journey along cliffside wooden walkways, over mountain gorges, and across 3 amazing suspension bridges. All located in the sunny mountain region of Saviiese in Valais, this historic trail seamlessly blends centuries-old engineering with modern alpine adventure and great food.
So if you are ready to tackle one of Switzerland's most dramatic yet accessible cliff walks, then here’s everything you need to know to plan your day…
Seasonal Details & Planning Info
Distance: ~8 km (5 miles) out-and-back, but much longer if you add any of the suggested extensions…
Time: 2.5 to 3 hours just for walking the basic route.
Seasons: The trail is open from May through Oct. In late spring, the waterfall and the gorge roar with glacial meltwater. In the peak of summer, the shade of the rock faces offers some relief from the valley heat, but is heavy with tourists. By autumn (Sept & Oct), the surrounding larch forests turn a vibrant, electric gold, casting a brilliant contrast against the grey stone cliffs - the best time.
Safety Reminder: The trail is strictly closed during the winter months and during periods of rain due to rockfall risks & a slippery path. Check before you go…
Getting There: Choosing Your Approach
Reaching the start using the Swiss public transport network is not as easy as many other tourist locations and honestly is easier by car. However, it is possible, and you have two choices depending on how much of a workout you want:
Option 1: Downhill Approach (Easiest)
Train to Sion: Take an SBB train to the main Sion Gare (train station).
PostBus Connection: Hop onto PostBus 341/2 from Sion to Saviiese/St-Germain center (approx. 16 mins).
Final Leg: Transfer to PostBus 343 heading to Mayens-de-la-Zour & get off at the Prafirmin Torrent Neuf stop.
From the bus stop, the adventure begins immediately with a scenic, 25-min approach walk (1.6 km) down Chemin Sainte-Marguerite.
As you walk toward the gorge, you will wander alongside the modern, gentle waters of the Bisse de Tsittoret, which runs alongside the path. Along this initial stretch, you will pass ancient stone walls and distinct wooden and wrought-iron crosses erected at trail junctions-historical markers meant to bless the path and guide travelers.
Option 2: An Uphill Alternative (No Bus Transfer)
If you prefer a seamless journey without waiting for a second bus connection, you can opt for a heart-pumping warm-up hike:
Stay on PostBus 341/2 coming from Sion and skip the transfer hub entirely.
Get off early at the Saviiese, Binii bus stop.
Follow the yellow trail markers pointing uphill toward the Bisse du Torrent Neuf and Sainte-Marguerite. Note that parts of this route are steep T3 so choose wisely…
This alternative cuts out the transfer friction, replacing it with a steady 1.8-Km climb through lovely forest sections. It adds about 30-40 mins of uphill trekking to reach the main trail entrance, making it a rewarding choice for hikers looking to earn their alpine views!
History: How the Bisse Was Created & Maintained
A bisse (or suone in German) is an ancient, open-air irrigation canal. Built by Valaisan farmers between 1430 and 1448, these channels were engineered to carry vital glacial meltwater from the roaring Morge River down to the region's dry vineyards and orchards.
Blood and Wood: The Bisse Construction
The Bisse du Torrent Neuf was one of the boldest alpine engineering projects of medieval times. Depending on the terrain, construction required extreme problem-solving:
Soil & Stone: Where possible, the canal was dug directly into the dirt and lined with naturally waterproof materials - you will see this.
Cliffs: When hitting sheer rock, like the infamous Wall of the Branlires, laborers had to hang from ropes hundreds of feet above the valley floor. They hand-chiseled narrow ledges or built boutzets-heavy wooden troughs cantilevered over the abyss using timber beams driven into iron-free rock sockets. There are examples of this.
Constant Vigilance: Perilous Maintenance
Maintaining the water flow was a matter of community survival, but it was potentially deadly.
The Guardians: Local canal guards (known as bisseurs) lived in tiny wooden huts along the cliffs. They walked the route daily to clear rocks, mud, and winter rockfall damage. To see this history up close, the trail includes a remarkably preserved example of the old wooden bisse reconstruction, showing exactly how those original heavy wooden gutters were attached to the raw mountain stone. The original route operated for over 500 years until it was replaced by a modern water tunnel bored straight through Prabe Mountain in 1935.
Trail Highlights: Tunnels, Waterfalls & Bears
Because the trail is carved into a raw vertical rock wall, nature has always pushed back. As you walk, you pass through rugged, hand-hewn tunnels and walk beneath heavy rockfall and avalanche shelters. These stone and timber awnings were engineered specifically to protect the ancient irrigation channel, and the guards tracking it, from the debris that frequently cascades down the mountain face during the spring thaw and winter months.
The Waterfall
As you navigate the cliff edges (with care some are loose soil), the acoustic landscape shifts from the whispering valley winds to a thunderous roar. Partway through the trek, the trail crosses paths with a magnificent waterfall that cascades directly down the sheer rock face. Dropping dramatically into the gorge below, this roaring torrent offers a refreshing, misty breeze on warm summer days and highlights the raw water power that the bisse was designed to harness.
Historical Sanctuaries & a Rock-Cut Chapel
Your hike begins and ends with quiet, contemplative sanctuaries. Near the start of the trail, you will pass the quaint Sainte-Marguerite Chapel. Workers in the 15th century would stop here to pray for protection and even make their last confessions before starting their hazardous shifts on the cliffs.
Further along, nestled partway down the route, you will encounter the tiny Notre-Dame du Torrent-Neuf Chapel. This miniature church is uniquely built directly into a recess in the rock face. It serves as a peaceful milestone for hikers, complete with a tiny interior altar, providing a stunning viewpoint looking out over the deep valley.
Growing Signs and Living History
As you transition from the dirt approach path onto the wooden boardwalks bolted straight into the mountain, notice how the trail markers evolve. The signage transitions from small, rustic wooden markers along the forest floor to large, beautifully detailed information placards lining the rock walls. These grand panels showcase incredible archive photographs and stories of the brave builders who risked their lives centuries ago.
A Surprising Bear in your Path
About halfway through the hike, don't be startled if you see a large grizzly waiting for you round a corner on the narrow trail! This is a life-sized bronze bear statue created by local artist Veronique Olivier. Placed there as a peaceful companion for travelers, it's a favorite photo-op for hikers celebrating making it past the initial drop-offs.
Crossing the Void: the Suspension Bridges
The real adrenaline rush comes from the 3 spectacular suspension bridges that span the gorge. Restored to perfection, these wobbly yet completely secured steel bridges give you a bird's-eye view of the canyon floors beneath your feet. While perfectly safe, the sheer drop means this trail is not recommended for anyone who suffers from vertigo. Not sure if dogs are allowed, but strollers are a bad idea on such a narrow and busy out & back path…
Alpine Eats & the Nearby Lakes
You won't go hungry on this trek. The trail features excellent rustic food options positioned right where you need them:
La Vouasseurs Refreshment Bar: Located near the trail entrance (a fee), this alpine chalet is ideal for a morning coffee or a quick snack before heading onto the cliffs - you will likely need it.
Buvette du Brac (Chalet de Brac): Situated at the turnaround point (end) of the historic trail, but not always accessible or open, this lively spot serves up authentic Valaisan platters (local cheeses, dried meats) and refreshing beverages. Relax on their grassy terrace and soak in the sun before making your return journey.
I think I found a path that heads down to the valley and the ‘devil's bridge’ below, but it looked very steep and rocky so I didn't go far down it, T3-4?
Extension - The Blinii Lakes
For those looking to extend their day, the trail links up to the Lacs de Blinii (Blinii Lakes) loop. These small, serene mountain ponds and irrigation reservoirs ("etangs") sit tucked into the landscape nearby, offering beautiful reflections of the surrounding peaks and a quieter alternative for an alpine picnic. I really enjoyed these, and as noted before, there are other bisse in the area, plus vineyards, ruins, etc.
A Perfect Side Trip: Sion's Twin Hills
Before heading back on the train from Sion Gare, you shouldn’t miss the jaw-dropping twin hills that dominate the town's horizon. Rising straight up from the valley floor, these ancient mounds hold Sion's most prized cultural treasures:
Chateau de Tourbillon (Ruined Castle): Crowning the higher, more rugged hill is this dramatic, 13th-century fortress built for the Bishops of Sion. Ravaged by a massive fire in 1788, it now stands as an epic, skeletal ruin offering unmatched 360-degree views of the valley and the Alps. See my other articles on this & Sion hikes…
Basilique de Valere (Fortified Church & Monastery): Crowning the adjacent hill sits a magnificent, fortified medieval church complex that dates back over a millennium. This fortified hill functioned essentially like a walled monastery and town for the church canons. Inside the Romanesque-Gothic basilica, you can see the oldest playable pipe organ in the world, constructed around 1390! These are accessible by walking through the quaint old town.
I have hiked this route many times from 2019 to 2022, including guiding a party of about 10 or so, on 11th July 2021. See my other articles on hiking in this area… Contact me by email for photos or to ask questions.
