Autumn Escape in the Magic of Valais
Golden larches, crisp mountain air, and alpine peace
a soulful retreat in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
18 – 24 October 2026 · 6 nights · 4 guided hikes · Max. 8 participants
There is one week each year when the Valais becomes something extraordinary. The larch forests — those rare deciduous conifers that carpet the high valleys — ignite in electric gold and amber, turning entire mountainsides into something you can barely believe is real. This is that week.
We’ll spend the days moving through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Alps: glacier valleys, ancient irrigation paths, and alpine lakes — in a small group of no more than eight, at a pace that lets you actually feel the mountains rather than just pass through them.
“The larches look like they’re on fire.”
October 18–24 falls right in the peak window for golden larches in the Valais — the third and fourth week of October, when the needles hit their most vivid amber and copper. No crowds. No summer heat. Just the mountains in their finest hour.
The Week — Day by Day
Sunday — Arrival in Val de Bagnes
Your alpine week begins at Hotel à Larze in Le Châble — a charming, family-run hotel where wooden interiors, warm hospitality and hearty breakfasts set the tone for everything ahead. Located a short walk from the train station and the gondola to Verbier, it’s the perfect base for the week.
Monday — Into Verbier: First Steps at Altitude
We take the gondola up to Verbier and ease gently into the mountains. Panoramic views open up across the entire Val de Bagnes massif. A leisurely walk through larch forest and alpine pasture — the perfect day to find your mountain legs and breathe in the sharp, clean air.
Tuesday — Glacier Views and Mountain Magic
A short minibus ride brings us to the trailhead of one of the region’s most spectacular hikes. With sweeping views of the Corbasière Glacier and the dramatic 4,000-metre peaks beyond, this is a day that genuinely stops you in your tracks. Golden larches line the descent.
Wednesday — Free Day: Culture, Wine or Wellness
This day is entirely yours. Visit the world-renowned Pierre Gianadda Museum in Martigny. Sample the extraordinary wines of Valais. Take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi above Chamonix. Or simply sink into a mountain spa and let the week settle. The choice — and the freedom — is yours.
Thursday — Bisse du Trient: Autumn in Slow Motion
We follow the ancient Bisse du Trient, a historic irrigation channel carved into the mountainside centuries ago. Today it’s a scenic walking path leading through forests brushed with every shade of amber and rust, toward the foot of the Trient Glacier. One of those trails that stays with you.
Friday — Lac d’Emosson: Drama at the Border
Our final hike leads to Lac d’Emosson, set in one of the most dramatic high-alpine landscapes in the region. Breathtaking views over the Franco-Swiss border, rugged terrain, and that particular end-of-week feeling that only the mountains can give you.
Saturday — Departure
After a final breakfast at Hotel à Larze, we say farewell to the Val de Bagnes — lighter in your pack, richer in your soul.
Good to Know
These hikes are not technical mountaineering — no ropes, no scrambling required. That said, we walk around 5 hours per day on mountain terrain, so a solid level of fitness and some hiking experience will make your week considerably more enjoyable. The trails reward those who come prepared.
Dates: October 18–24, 2026
Price: 1495 CHF per person
Group size: Minimum 4 – Maximum 8 participants
Guided by Famke & Woody (her four-legged team member)
Included:
✓ Accommodation at Hotel à Larze in a double room. Single room available for an additional charge
✓ Transport to trailheads by private minibus (where applicable)
✓ Lift ticket on Monday
✓4 guided hikes with UIMLA-certified mountain leader
✓ Picknicks en route
Not included:
✗ Dinners & Drinks
✗ Optional activities on the free day (museum entry, wine tasting, spa, etc.)
