Apricot growing, medieval castle remains and a historic waterway offer several different ways to explore Saxon. For planning, the specific details of some trails are useful; the museum and the apricot festival have their own visiting arrangements.
Heritage and cultural venues
The keep of La Tour de Saxon is the surviving remnant of a castle built in the late 13th century under the rule of Philippe de Savoie. The outer walls are also remarkably well preserved. A circular trail leads to La Tour de Saxon from the village square. The loop is listed as taking about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with 300 metres of elevation gain. The duration and elevation gain may vary slightly depending on route conditions.
The Fort de Saxon is part of the area’s military heritage and occupies a strategic point on a trans-Alpine route of European importance. The Sapinhaut artillery fortification, Fort de Saxon, was built in 1991 and is one of the last fortifications constructed in Switzerland. Medieval castle remains and a later fortification therefore stand side by side in Saxon.
The Musée de Saxon features permanent exhibitions on apricot growing, the casino and the bisse. One section is devoted to changing exhibition themes. Museum visits are by request; during exhibitions, the Musée de Saxon publishes opening hours on its website. Check the details before your visit.
Espace Consonance is a concert hall where well-known artists perform in an intimate setting; the venue is also used as a recording studio. As the concert programme varies, it is worth checking the current dates if you are planning to attend a concert.
Apricots, the bisse and trails
The Bisse de Saxon stretches for more than 32 kilometres. Historically, it carried water from the Printse in Nendaz to Saxon to irrigate numerous orchards and crops. The bisse thus links a long waterway with an important feature of the local cultural landscape: the cultivation and irrigation of crops.
The Sentier de l’Abricot crosses a footbridge to the orchards of Champassé, Verney and Maraîches, at an altitude of 800 metres. From there, you can choose between two loop options: one via the hamlet of Tovassière, or one through the crops of Combe Arrangée. Comparing the options lets you choose based on the landscape features mentioned for each route.
The apricot festival also celebrates the fruit and regional cuisine. It takes place every two years and combines a market featuring regional specialities with a range of activities and entertainment. Visitors can sample apricots in various forms and regional specialities. The festival also includes a 4 km culinary walk through apricot orchards, with tastings of apricot-based dishes. Check the event dates before planning your trip around it.
Escalier de la Dame offers 18 grape varieties, two eaux-de-vie and an apricot liqueur. The product range may change.
Walks and active experiences
For an educational walk, the Sentier du Petit Bisse is described as a family-friendly trail. Information boards and mushroom sculptures explore the educational theme. The Sentier ludique offers another way to explore the area: this 2.7 km walking trail starts at the Casino de Saxon and leads through the village. Along the way, there are games and activities to enjoy together with children.
If you are looking for a running route with a clearly stated distance, the 750-metre Piste Finlandaise has a wood-chip surface. The Sentier ludique is longer, at 2.7 kilometres, and is designed as a village walk; these distances make the difference between a running route and a walking trail clear.
At the Vertic climbing hall, routes range in difficulty from grade 4 to 8. The different wall angles include slabs, vertical walls, overhangs and ceilings. As specifications may change, check the latest details before planning your visit.
The Parcours VITA at Plan Bot, in the hills above Saxon, is an outdoor fitness trail with 15 stations. Check availability on site. This makes it easy to choose between different activities in advance: a walk through the village, a running route, a climbing facility or an outdoor fitness trail.
Discover more destinations: Isérables, Arbarey, Trient Vs, Martigny, Saillon, Riddes, Fully, Leytron
For the regional travel overview: Martigny.
