Grône is a municipality in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. With the hamlets of Loye, Erdesson and Itravers, it lies between the Rhône Plain and the mountains and forms the gateway to the Vallon de Réchy. During your stay, you can enjoy a variety of experiences: wetlands and birdlife, hikes through alpine landscapes, and traces of the area’s water and architectural history.
Wetlands and Birdlife at Pouta Fontana
The Pouta Fontana nature reserve lies between Grône and Granges. It preserves the wetland vegetation and characteristic wildlife of the former Rhône Plain and is considered the most important aquatic nature reserve in the canton of Valais. Its many bodies of water include reed beds, canals, marshes and riverside woodland. Around 190 bird species have been observed here. The area is also home to mammals and amphibians; around 54 bird species nest there. More than 150 migratory bird species stop in the reserve in spring and autumn.
An observation station and educational panels offer insights into the reserve, while marked paths lead through the wetlands. If you’d like to combine your visit with a break by the water, Lac de la Corne is close to the reserve. It has a recreational area with a beach, toilets and a car park.
Hiking and Scenery in the Vallon de Réchy
The protected Vallon de Réchy offers numerous hiking opportunities and views of the alpine landscape. Its diverse flora and fauna are part of the nature experience; characteristic features of the landscape include a waterfall, the meanders of the Ar du Tsan, Lac du Louché and clear waters in the pools. This gives the valley a different character from the wetlands of Pouta Fontana.
For a hike with an approximate duration, the Chemin des Cerfs runs from Bouzerou to l’Ar du Tsan and takes about three hours. As a nature trail, it invites you to read the landscape and take in the natural surroundings. Actual walking time may vary depending on conditions; trail conditions can also change seasonally.
Cycling
The Pouta Fontana–Pramagnon route follows the Rhône cycling path. Along the way, it passes an observation station for migratory birds and crosses a metal bridge to the vineyard trail. At Pramagnon, the route’s destination, you’ll find a bus stop, a restaurant and a bed and breakfast.
Grône has a Velospot bike-sharing network. It covers twelve municipalities in Agglo Valais Central and has 60 stations and 250 bikes, including e-bikes. In Grône, stations are located at Place du Nézôt on Rue Centrale next to the municipal offices; in the school car park on Rue Centrale by the Eco-point; and in the Dérotchia car park on Rue Centrale in the Loos area.
Waterways and Cultural Heritage
The Bisse de Grône has existed for more than 620 years; the oldest document attesting to the existence of these irrigation channels dates from 1398. The bisse is still partly in use: a short section runs above ground, while the rest is channelled. The Bisse de Grône–Itravers trail traces the history of the oldest Bisse de Grône and leads to historic sights.
Château Morestel also tells the story of the area. Pierre III de la Tour, known as “Morestel”, had the feudal castle built between 1245 and 1250. In the 2024 inventory of the Valais cantonal cultural property list, it is classified as a Category B cultural property. In Loye, the hydraulic sawmill dates from 1861; it was renovated in the 1990s. Demonstrations of the sawmill are offered by an experienced sawyer. Group demonstrations are planned for the warmer months, from May to October. Confirm before travelling whether a demonstration will be arranged for your chosen date.
Getting There and Finding Your Way Around
Pouta Fontana can be reached from Sion or Sierre railway stations by taking the Sion–Sierre bus to the Grône stop, then walking for about 15 minutes. Check the connection before setting off. Two roads also lead from the upper plateau of Grône, via Nax into the Val d’Hérens or via Vercorin into the Val d’Anniviers. Road conditions may change seasonally.
Local facilities also include Grône’s indoor swimming pool. It opened in 1978; its semi-Olympic pool is 25 metres long and 12 metres wide. Grône therefore offers a range of options, from nature watching and hiking to cycling routes, waterway history and other local facilities—different highlights to weigh up when planning your stay.
Discover more destinations: Chandolin, Vercorin, Miège, Lens, Sierre, Ayer, Chalais Vs, Chippis.
For the overall travel overview: Siders.
