Finhaut: Emosson, Alpine Nature and Local History

You can focus your stay in Finhaut on different themes: alpine nature, trails and viewpoints, the history of the Emosson dams, or the historic village. When looking for a hotel in Finhaut, it helps to first consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.

Fossils, wetlands and alpine habitats

The Dalle à empreintes de dinosaures d’Emosson is a palaeontological site with numerous relatively well-preserved footprints of Triassic reptiles. It has been protected by the Canton of Valais since 9 November 1983 and is of national and international importance. At the site of the archosaur footprints at Vieux-Emosson, geologists and mountain guides offer guided explanations every summer for three weeks from the end of July. As this activity is seasonal, check the dates before your trip.

The Sentier du Balcon du Mont-Blanc leads through wetlands, meadows, alpine pastures, glacial moraines and rocky terrain. Along the way, it provides information about local wildlife and plant life, as well as the Fenestral glacial basin. Views include the Mont Blanc massif and the Plateau du Trient; the trail also leads to the protected Bas-marais wetland at Six Jeur, at an altitude of 2,062 metres. To reach this trail by train, travel via Martigny: first take a CFF train to Martigny, then the Mont-Blanc Express to Finhaut. Check the timetable before travelling.

The protected natural areas of Tête des Six-Jeurs and Tête des Crêts each have their own character. Tête des Six-Jeurs is home to small, high-altitude wetlands with water clover, dragonflies, stone loaches and black grouse. Tête des Crêts is distinguished by its unusual geology: hollows alternate with steep ridges, which support a diverse range of wildlife and plant life.

Dams and trails to Emosson

The “The hidden side of Barberine” educational trail tells the story of the construction of the first dam in the upper Trient valley. It features previously unpublished photographs from the archives of the SBB and Usine du Châtelard. The water tower contains a room with a photo exhibition about the construction phases of the various facilities. You can walk uphill along the trail from the VerticAlp station at Les Montuires to the Emosson dam, or downhill in the opposite direction. On a guided tour of the dam, you can walk along the crest and visit the gallery inside.

Completed in 1955, the Vieux-Emosson dam created a second, separate reservoir. The Emosson dam is accessible by road or by the funicular used during its construction. On its way to the dam, the road from Finhaut to Emosson follows the 2016 Tour de France route and offers panoramic views of Mont Blanc. Road and weather conditions may vary. Reaching the climbing area at the dam requires a 30-minute walk to the foot of the dam wall. From Finhaut, the EMOSSiONelle zip line is about a two-hour walk, with an 800-metre ascent.

Specific routes are also described for cycling and mountain biking; take care not to confuse them: the Finhaut–Emosson cycling stage received the “Route du Tour” label in 2018. The mountain-bike route starts at Finhaut railway station, passes through Les Montuires and reaches the Emosson dam.

Local history and architectural heritage

The parish church of Notre-Dame in Finhaut was built in 1928 to replace a sanctuary dating from 1652. The Grand-hôtel Bristol was built in 1908 and converted into a sanatorium in 1946. Together with the well-preserved historic hotel complex, the church gives Finhaut outstanding historical and architectural qualities. The Saint-Sébastien tradition is celebrated in Finhaut every year on 20 January.

The village walk “A travers Finhaut, La Cotze et Le Léamon” uses information panels to explain Finhaut’s history and tourism, as well as its architectural heritage, including the church and the Bristol hotel. This lets you discover historic buildings not only individually, but also in the context of the village’s history.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Maurice Vs, Dorénaz, Vérossaz, Mex Vs, Vernayaz, Salvan, Massongex

For the broader travel overview: Saint-Maurice.