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Via ferrata du Belvédère

Via ferrata du Belvédère Belvédère de Nax 1299 m

Difficulty

K4
Ascent

1:30 h, 220 m
Mountain Experience

1 / 4
Power

2 / 4
Endurance

2 / 4
Psyche

2 / 4

Belvédère is „pretty view“ in French. That is exactly what the via ferrata below Nax offers: this varied, exposed, but never extreme route has exceptional views towards the mountains on the north side of the Rhone valley; the southern peaks of the Vaudois and Bernese Alps. Then there are the vineyards, which reach almost up to the start of the ferrata, and the hills with the Valere and Tourbillon castles, landmarks of the city of Sion (or Sitten in German). The via ferrata was opened in August of 2000. The original plan was to build the upper part of the via ferrata in an area where peregrine falcons nest. The WWF and Pro Natura protested the plan and the route was changed to give a more direct line up to Belvédère de Nax. Information boards along the route point to natural wonders, as well as show how the ferrata was constructed. The route in gerneral follows the most solid rock, offering spectacular passages from bottom to top. The rock is not as hard as granite: from afar the line of the via ferrata can clearly be seen, as climbers have polished it over time.

A via ferrata with a bus stop 5 min. from the start - perfect! © Fabian Lippuner

An iron climber on the access to the via ferrata on the rock head of Belvédère de Nax (in the background). © Daniel Anker

At the start; info board contains all the information about the via ferrata and the rules of its use. © Fabian Lippuner

The first three-cable bridge. At its end; one of the exposed passages © Fabian Lippuner

One of the information boards along the via ferrata © Fabian Lippuner

Climbing the slab of the last wall © Fabian Lippuner

The escape route (to the right) © Fabian Lippuner

The exposed viewpoint at the finish. Below: the urban sprawl of the city of Sion on the valley floor. © Fabian Lippuner

Belvédère de Nax, a well-known viewpoint © Fabian Lippuner

Route description

Approach

Via ferrata Belvédère

A variable route. After an easy start, the way quickly becomes vertical, even overhanging for a short time. There is also some intermittent jungle bashing. After the three-cable bridge with its difficult exit there is more vertical climbing. An interlude (easy terrain) leads to the second section and more vertical climbing. The third, also steep section follows a rock pillar. The fourth starts with a three-cable bridge, then follows a slab and ridge to a grassy shoulder (ca. 1160 m) with a few stunted pine trees. Then there is a fork: to the right a path (the "échappatoire", or "escape route") leads down along a ledge to the hiking trail. The left fork continues on grass and rock to the true end of the via ferrata at about 1210 m. Ascend a few steps further on the path and you'll reach the exposed rocky summit of P. 1224, called Belvédère de Nax.

Echappatoire – escape route

From a grassy shoulder (ca. 1160 m) with a few small fir trees take the path to the right, which leads along a ledge down to the hiking trail. From here you can reach the bus stop "Nax via ferrata" or ascend to the village of Nax.

Descent

Ascend to Nax, La Crettaz, or descend to the bus stop "Nax via ferrata".

Additional information

Character: K4. An exposed, but well secured and athletically not-too-demanding via ferrata on a roughly 200 m high bulwark where the Val d’Hérens merges with the Rhone valley. The first section is the most difficult one, where a small overhang and a tricky exit from the suspension bridge must be negotiated. If there is no snow, the route can be climbed even in winter.