Circular hikes from Fionnay offer different highlights: one leads over the Col des Otanes to Corbassière, while another takes you to the vaulted stables of Louvie and on to the Sovereu alpine pasture. Another circular route leads to the Cabane FXB Panossière; the Cabane de Louvie is a two-hour walk from Fionnay. To choose the right hike, it is worth looking at the specific destinations and landscapes along each route.

Fionnay and its mountain landscape

Fionnay is a locality in the political municipality of Val de Bagnes in the Swiss canton of Valais. At about 1,492 metres above sea level, it lies below the Corbassière Glacier and the Grand Combin. Fionnay is considered the last major settlement in the Val de Bagnes. Its location gives the hikes a distinct mountain character; the landscape along the route to the Col des Otanes and Corbassière changes significantly.

Along this circular route, forests and green meadows give way to rugged alpine terrain. The Passerelle de Corbassière hangs above the moraine and adds a striking man-made landmark to the landscape. The route brings together contrasting impressions: first forest and meadows, then alpine terrain, and finally views of the suspension bridge above the moraine.

Circular routes and notable stops

The Tour des écuries de Louvie – Sovereu starts and ends in Fionnay. It leads to the vaulted stables of Louvie, crosses the Col du Bec d’aigle and reaches the Sovereu alpine pasture before returning to Fionnay. These named stops give this loop a different focus from the route over the Col des Otanes: here, the stables and the alpine pasture are explicit parts of the itinerary.

The Passerelle de Corbassière suspension bridge can also be reached and crossed on a short out-and-back walk. It hangs above the moraine. On this detour, the bridge itself is the destination; by contrast, the circular route over the Col des Otanes and Corbassière is a complete hike. These descriptions make it easier to distinguish between a full hike and a short detour.

Cabane de Louvie: lake and cultural heritage

The Cabane de Louvie is a two-hour walk from Fionnay. It sits at an altitude of 2,250 metres above a small lake and in the middle of a nature reserve. The hut is also a meeting point on the Tour du Val de Bagnes. Its altitude, lakeside setting and location in a protected area give this destination a different character from the circular routes, where the stops themselves take centre stage.

In the Haut Val de Bagnes, the Lac de Louvie is the only lake where fishing is permitted. It is stocked with rainbow trout every year. The lake, along with the nearby stables and huts, is listed in the Inventory of Cultural Property of National Importance. At Lac de Louvie, natural surroundings, a specific fishing opportunity and designated cultural heritage come together.

Chapel and local history

Fionnay’s chapel dates from 1903 and was extended in 1953. Paintings on its wooden panels depict Our Lady of the Snows and Saint Hubert. The dates mark two stages in the chapel’s construction history, while the figures shown add a specific detail to its architectural story.

The history of the village is also linked to mountain tourism and construction at the Mauvoisin Dam. As tourism began to develop, hotels for English mountaineers were built in Fionnay in the late 19th century. Later, workers involved in building the Mauvoisin dam wall lived there. These historical chapters are part of the village’s past and should be distinguished from the present-day search for accommodation.

Discover more destinations: Le Châble, Orsières, Sarreyer, Liddes, Vollèges, Bagnes, Champex, Verbier

For the broader travel overview: Entremont.