Walk: Champex to Le Châble

This is one of the easier days on the Walker’s Haute Route, which you might appreciate if you’ve just crossed the Col de Balme and the Fenêtre d'Arpette in previous days. You should also notice a decrease in other hikers, as the WHR leaves the Tour du Mont Blanc route behind from this stage on.

From the south east tip of the lake at Champex, head up the small road of Rte du Signal. This soon curves leftwards past the hotels Belvédère, Splendide and finally the Alpina, at which point the tarmac runs out, and you should take the footpath signed to Sembrancher. 

There then follows many kilometres of gentle downhill hiking, through a wonderful mix of forest and farmland, where traditional Swiss alpine farming can still be glimpsed. You’ll pass through the tiny villages of Soulalex and La Garde along the way - though sadly neither currently have refreshment options. 

From La Garde you’ll drop to the base of the Val de Bagnes at the large village of Sembrancher. The route just skips the centre of town, but if you have spare time it’s worth diverting into the centre - the pleasant cobblestone streets are worth a wander round. There are a couple of restaurants in Sembrancher, but nothing special.

From Sembrancher the route firstly takes a small, flat tarmac road through farmland, before disappearing back into forest, never far from the Dranse de Bagnes river. Remerge onto more country lanes through fields as you approach Le Châble, with great mountain views ahead.