Saclentse lies at an altitude of 1,203 metres, directly above the Printse on its left bank. Its connection to the river is also reflected in two bisses: the Bisse de Salins draws water at Saclentse, while the Bisse d’en Bas reaches the village. These different relationships give the place a concrete setting for a trip focused on waterways, village history and paths.
Bisses and irrigation
The Bisse de Salins dates back to before 1436. At Saclentse, it draws water from the Printse at an altitude of 1,175 metres and carries it to Salins and above Maragnenaz. The altitude refers to the water intake point; the village itself lies at 1,203 metres. The Bisse de Salins is now partly channelled and continues to irrigate agricultural land.
The Bisse d’en Bas is also still in operation. It begins in lower Planchouet and reaches Saclentse. Near the village, it is the lowest bisse on the left bank of the Printse. Its exact year of construction is unknown; it probably dates from before 1753. Unlike the Bisse de Salins, its dating is uncertain, rather than linked to a known early date. The Bisse d’en Bas irrigates meadows as well as raspberry and strawberry crops in Basse-Nendaz and Saclentse.
The Bisse d’en Bas, located near the village and very little frequented, offers the opportunity for a peaceful walk. Its path has some uneven sections between rocks and roots. You can take this into account when planning your walk.
Paths through and to Saclentse
The “Sur les pas du Déserteur” circular route passes through the old villages of Haute-Nendaz, Basse-Nendaz and Saclentse. The route is accessible year-round; local conditions may affect how easy it is to walk. Another hike, Bisse du Milieu–Bisse d’en Bas, leads to Saclentse. From there, you can reach the resort by road by following the “Haute-Nendaz” signs.
A road cycling route also leads to the village: it runs from Aproz via Fey and Basse-Nendaz and includes a lightly trafficked section to Saclentse. The routes differ in how they incorporate the village: as one of three old villages on the circular route, as the destination of the hike, or via a section of the road cycling route.
Chapel and village history
Saclentse Chapel was consecrated in 1922 and is dedicated to Saint Joseph. The building project was initiated by Father Joseph Fournier. A bell that had been installed in the bell tower of Basse-Nendaz before 1794 is now in the bell tower of Saclentse. The chapel, its initiator and the bell each connect different chapters of the village’s history.
Another cultural connection can be found on the Chemin des sculptures in Nendaz: a story told there features a girl with an intellectual disability and a white lamb in Saclentse.
Restaurant and location when choosing accommodation
Le Sapin Blanc is described as the village’s only restaurant. All its dishes are homemade and prepared on site from raw ingredients and traditional products. The distance to the resort is also relevant when choosing where to stay: Saclentse is a few minutes’ drive from the resort’s facilities and ski lifts. If you are looking for a hotel in Saclentse, you can take this location into account alongside the bisses, paths and village history when choosing where to stay.
For an overview of the wider trip: Nendaz.
