Discover Vens

If you’re looking for a hotel in Vens, you can plan your stay around specific local attractions and hiking options. Lago di Joux is at an altitude of 1,902 metres and about two kilometres from the village. There are different routes to the lake: a paved trail that is also easy to manage with a stroller, and a direct, partly steep trail. A circular route, art, rural architecture and local traditions add to these hiking options. You can start by considering whether walking time and trail conditions or village and cultural attractions are more important for your trip.

Routes to Lago di Joux

The paved route from Vens to Lago di Joux is two kilometres long and takes about 40 minutes. It is also easy to manage with a stroller. A direct trail from Vens to the lake takes about 25 minutes and is partly steep. The difference is clear: the paved route is notable for its surface and stroller accessibility, while the other route is direct and has steep sections. So the shorter estimated walking time on the direct trail does not mean it has the same character as the paved route.

Walking times and conditions may vary depending on the weather and trail conditions; take this into account when planning. When choosing between the two route descriptions, both the estimated time and the nature of the trail are relevant. The lake itself is about two kilometres from the village; the paved route is also listed as two kilometres long.

Hiking routes and circular trail

The Vens–Lago di Joux–Letanaz Dessous circular route starts in Vens. Vens is therefore the starting point for this route, which is described as a circular trail. On the Vetan–Vens route, trail 17 corresponds to stage 13 of the Cammino Balteo. This is a different hiking reference: here, the trail number identifies a section of a stage on the Vetan–Vens route. When planning your hikes, the circular route’s starting point and the stage designation on the Vetan–Vens route are two distinct points of reference.

Village architecture and Ru de Vens

You can also get to know Vens through its village layout. Visitors can stroll through narrow lanes and discover restored buildings and old rural houses. These local features offer a focus apart from the hiking trails: the lanes and buildings take centre stage, rather than walking times and trail conditions.

Another local feature is Ru de Vens, an artificial irrigation channel. This makes it distinct from Lago di Joux: the lake is a body of water in the landscape, while the Ru is a man-made channel for irrigation. Together, the two names refer to different water features, but they are not the same kind of place.

Art installations in Vens

L’AttraversArt adds outdoor art to the village and hiking attractions. Vens is one of the project’s seven key locations, where artworks have been installed as part of an open-air museum. The installations include explanatory Corten steel totems, seating and sculptures. The totems provide explanations; the sculptures are artworks, and the installations also include seating. The project thus combines information, art and places to sit.

Le Desarpe de Vertosan

Le Desarpe de Vertosan is an age-old tradition in the mountain year, centred on livestock farmers and their animals. During this tradition, herds pass through Vens. The custom is therefore closely connected to the village and adds the life of livestock and livestock farmers to the hiking and art attractions. If you look at Vens through different interests, this tradition and the passing herds take centre stage here, rather than walking times or buildings.

For the broader travel overview: Saint Nicolas.