★★★☆☆ | Highest point: 1,220 m | Walking & via ferrata options |
The Belvédère via ferrata is one of the easiest around. Kai and our neighbour’s boy, both 9 at the time, did it without problem, as did our au pair who had never done any rock climbing before. Most of the route is straightforward, but there are a couple of tightrope wires to cross which are a bit tricky to get on and off. There is also an escape point along the way — although somehow we didn’t see this. The path down is short and easy.
The walk is in the Swiss Alps, near Sion in the canton of Valais. The cliff sits below the village of Nax, and affords fabulous views of the Rhône valley and Sion far below. It’s extremely popular — there’s even a bus stop just for it — so you may have to queue a little. You can hire via ferrata gear from the tourism office in Nax.
Our photos from the Belvédère via ferrata
Trail info – Belvédère via ferrata
Belvédère lookout: 1,220 m
Height gain: 220 m
Technical details: Fairly easy via ferrata; two wire bridges; no overhangs
Return distance: approx. 1.7 km
The via ferrata starts near the “Via ferrata” bus stop, which is on a hairpin in the road from Sion to Nax. There is a car park off the same hairpin. There are no restaurants or shelters on the trail.
The route is easy to follow. There are a few scrambles, a few cliff faces, and two wire “tightrope” bridges to cross. The escape point is about halfway up. The whole route takes 60-90 minutes to finish. Once at the top it’s a short walk up to the Belvédère lookout, from which you have a view of the entire Rhône valley. You can either walk on to Nax to catch the bus, or else follow the path down from Belvédère.