Lac Bleu d'Arolla, Evolène and Ferpècle: the upper Val d'Hérens
Our chalet sits at the mouth of the Val d'Hérens. Drive up the valley and you pass Evolène, then reach Arolla and the Lac Bleu. Here are the walks, the times and the access.
Lac Bleu d'Arolla: a 40-minute walk from La Gouille
The Lac Bleu d'Arolla is reached from the hamlet of La Gouille, on the road to Arolla. Allow about 40 minutes on foot.
From Arolla village, the walk takes about 1 h 30. Val d'Hérens Tourism lists 3.26 km and rates it intermediate.
The Lac Bleu loop takes about 3 h 15. Wear proper walking shoes on either route.
- No swimming in the lake
- No bins and no toilets: take your rubbish home
- Stay on marked paths and close the gates behind you
- Park only in the permitted areas
Arolla: the last village, at almost 2,000 m
Arolla is the last village in the Val d'Hérens. It sits at almost 2,000 m, within the municipality of Evolène.
Mont Collon, the Pigne d'Arolla and the Aiguille de la Tsa rise around it. The name comes from the arolla pine forests nearby.
In summer, many hut walks start here. Arolla also lies on the Haute Route and on the Patrouille des Glaciers course.
Evolène and Les Haudères: the village path
Evolène is known for its timber log houses. The village is listed in ISOS, the Swiss federal inventory of heritage sites.
The Chemin des villages links Evolène, Les Haudères, La Forclaz, La Sage and Villaz. Allow 11.09 km, about 3 h 25 and 500 m of climbing.
The route is rated easy. The three upper villages sit on terraces about 300 m above the valley floor.
Evolène also hosts the last qualifying rounds of the combats de reines at the Hérens Arena. These are contests between Hérens cows.
Ferpècle: 45 minutes to the Mont Miné glacier
Above Les Haudères, a road climbs to Ferpècle. From the Hôtel du Col d'Hérens, a path leads to the Ferpècle dam at 1,891 m.
It then follows a stream to the foot of the Mont Miné glacier, at about 2,000 m. Allow 1.5 km and about 45 minutes.
Evolène Région rates the walk easy. From the dam it takes about 25 minutes. You return the same way.
In 2026, a bus ran daily from Les Haudères to Ferpècle from 27 June to 19 August. It then ran at weekends until 27 September.
From the chalet: 28 minutes to Evolène
The whole upper valley is an easy drive from the chalet. Calculated drive times are optimistic in the mountains, so allow extra time in winter.
Without a car, PostBus line 381 runs from Sion to Evolène in about 36 minutes. To Arolla the ride takes about 1 h 15.
- Euseigne pyramids: 11 km, about 18 min by car (calculated 15.10.2026)
- Evolène: 19.9 km, about 28 min by car (calculated 15.10.2026)
- Les Haudères: 23.7 km, about 33 min by car (calculated 15.10.2026)
- La Forclaz, on the road to Ferpècle: 27.4 km, about 39 min by car (calculated 15.10.2026)
- La Gouille, start of the Lac Bleu walk: 31 km, about 42 min by car (calculated 15.10.2026)
- Arolla: 35.3 km, about 49 min by car (calculated 15.10.2026)
In winter: skiing, snowshoes and carnival
Evolène, Arolla and La Forclaz form the Espace Dent-Blanche ski area. The ski area publishes its own passes and prices.
A snowshoe trail runs from La Gouille to the Lac Bleu: 2.8 km, about 1 h 50. Check on valdherens.ch that it is open before you go.
The Evolène carnival starts on 6 January 2027 and runs until 9 February 2027.
Our chalet in Les Masses is about 28 min from Evolène and 42 min from La Gouille by car (calculated 15.10.2026). up to 12 guests, hot tub open all year, infrared sauna. 1.8 km by road from the Les Masses chairlift.
Asked before booking, answered straight
How long does it take from the chalet to the Lac Bleu d'Arolla?
About 42 minutes by car to La Gouille (31 km, calculated 15.10.2026), then about 40 minutes on foot. From Arolla, the walk takes about 1 h 30.
Can you swim in the Lac Bleu d'Arolla?
No. Val d'Hérens Tourism asks visitors not to swim. There are no bins or toilets, so take your rubbish with you.
Is the Lac Bleu walk suitable for children?
From La Gouille it is short, about 40 minutes. It is rated intermediate, so good shoes matter.
Can you reach Evolène and Arolla by bus?
Yes. PostBus line 381 runs from Sion to Evolène in about 36 minutes and to Arolla in about 1 h 15. From the chalet, a car is simpler.
How do you see the glacier at Ferpècle?
From the Hôtel du Col d'Hérens in Ferpècle, an easy path leads to the foot of the Mont Miné glacier. Allow 1.5 km and about 45 minutes.
What is there to do in Evolène and Arolla in winter?
Ski the Espace Dent-Blanche or snowshoe to the Lac Bleu. The Evolène carnival runs from 6 January to 9 February 2027.