Discover Chamoson through three distinct travel interests: trails through vineyards and alpine forests, wine experiences, and the book culture of St-Pierre-de-Clages. Particularly easy to plan are a hike with a stated duration, a seasonal wine experience, and bookshops that welcome visitors year-round. The annual FĂŞte du Livre, however, takes place on a set weekend in August.
Hiking trails between vineyards and alpine forest
Chamoson lies on an alluvial fan below the cliffs of Haut de Cry. The hiking trails pass through terraced vineyards and alpine forests, while viewpoints offer views across the RhĂ´ne Valley. One specific route is the Sentier du Cep Ă la Cime: this easy hike is 11 kilometres long, takes about three hours and includes 360 metres of elevation gain.
The trail begins at Chamoson-St-Pierre-de-Clages railway station. Parking is available at the station, and there are picnic areas and restaurants along the route. The approximate duration and elevation gain help you estimate how much time to allow for this hike. Check local conditions before setting out.
Wine from Chamoson
Chamoson has more than 400 hectares of vineyards and more than 50 wine producers. They grow 21 red wine and 18 white wine varieties. The most common include Pinot Noir, Sylvaner—known as Johannisberg in the Valais—and Gamay. Johannisberg is considered a speciality of Chamoson, where around 75 hectares of vineyards are devoted to it. The municipality also uses the designation Terre de Johannisberg. Four grape varieties carry the Grand Cru AOC Valais quality label: Johannisberg, Petite Arvine, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
The “Chamoson – patrie du Johannisberg” wine experience includes a walk through the vineyards, lunch, a guided wine tasting and a visit to a wine cellar. It is available from May to October; plan it within this period and check the offering in advance. La Petite Cave welcomes visitors for wine tastings and explains the various stages of winemaking. Chamoson’s wine cellars also invite visitors to discover their wines and the work involved in the vineyards. Access to individual cellars may vary.
Books and architecture in St-Pierre-de-Clages
Booksellers at the Village Suisse du Livre welcome visitors throughout the year. Their selection includes rare, second-hand, antique and out-of-print books. If you would like to plan your visit around an event, consider the FĂŞte du Livre: it has been held in St-Pierre-de-Clages on the last weekend of August since 1993. The programme includes a large second-hand book market, authors, themed exhibitions and numerous activities. Check the dates for the current edition before your trip.
The church of St-Pierre-de-Clages is a semi-underground Romanesque church in the Cluniac style. Its octagonal bell tower is described as unique in Switzerland. The main structure forms a homogeneous whole dating from the first half of the 11th century, except for the upper storeys of the octagonal tower, which were built later. Guided tours are available by reservation for groups of 2 to 15 people and last about an hour. Confirm the tour arrangements before booking.
Getting there and planning your time
Regional trains run from Sion or Martigny to Chamoson station, which is located in St-Pierre-de-Clages. Check the timetables before your trip. The approximate durations differ considerably: the hike is listed as taking about three hours, while a church tour takes around one hour. The tour must be booked; the hiking route starts at the station. This helps you estimate how much time to allow for each activity without assuming a particular order.
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