Nendaz doesn’t stop when the snow melts. Once the lifts start running for summer, the same terrain that carries 400km of winter pistes opens up as one of the biggest outdoor playgrounds in the Valais: 250km of hiking trails, 200km of mountain biking and e-bike routes, by way of glacier days, via ferrata, rock climbing and a Mont Fort cable car ride that gets you to 3,330m without breaking a sweat. Whatever your pace, it starts a short drive — often a short walk — from your chalet.
Nendaz has hiking for every level, and almost none of it needs a car. Three tiers to plan around:
The bisse walks are the local classic — flat, shaded trails that follow Valais’ centuries-old irrigation channels, running anywhere from 45 minutes to a full day depending which one you pick. Easy gradient, clearly marked, and genuinely scenic rather than just “easy for the sake of it” — this is the option for a family morning out or a first day acclimatising.
For a proper day out: routes running 45 minutes to 5+ hours with real elevation gain, alpine lake access, and panoramic viewpoints over the Rhône Valley. The Tracouet cable car cuts hours off the approach to routes like the Dent de Nendaz, dropping you straight into alpine meadow at altitude instead of making you walk up to it.
For hikers who want more than a day trip: the Nendaz Trekking circuit runs end of June to mid-September, 3 to 4 days with mountain hut stays en route, taking in the Bisse de Chervé, views over the Cleuson dam, and a finish at Mont-Rouge (2,491m).
For more family-friendly trail ideas around Tracouet, Siviez and the Cleuson dam, see our guide to family hikes in Valais on Packed Again.
200km of biking and e-bike routes run through the region, from valley singletrack to high-alpine descents off Siviez and the Cleuson dam. E-bike rental is available on request for chalets without their own.
The Tracouet flowtrail is the freshest reason to come back this summer: a purpose-built downhill flow trail rated 3/5 difficulty (blue/intermediate) with around 900m of descent, designed to be smooth and rideable for beginners and families as well as more experienced downhill riders — about a 15-minute descent once you’re on it. The trail is now fully open at 5.7km, accessed via the Tracouet gondola and only running during gondola operating hours.
More than 28 climbing sites and 1,200+ equipped routes across grades 3c–8c put Nendaz on the map for climbers without ever leaving the valley — plus an indoor climbing hall 30 minutes away for a rained-off afternoon. Via ferrata routes add a second option for anyone who wants exposure and a harness rather than a rope and rack. Mountain guides are bookable directly through us for both.
Within about 90 minutes of most chalets you’re at the start of a genuine high-mountain day: glacier traverses, Aletsch Glacier access, and guided mountaineering on the region’s 4000m summits for anyone with the fitness and the guide booked.
Valais is Switzerland’s largest wine-growing canton. Sion, the cantonal capital, is the closest base for tasting — about 20 minutes’ drive, with its own cellars and vineyards on the slopes above town. For something closer still, Chamoson sits right in the valley floor below Nendaz, dotted with small, family-run cellars open for tastings. For a proper day out, Salgesch — the heart of Valais Pinot Noir — is worth the longer drive (a little under an hour) for anyone serious about the wine itself. September’s harvest is the liveliest time to visit, but most cellars welcome tastings right through the summer season. Good closing section — softer, seasonal, and gives you a natural reason to talk about the shoulder season as a booking window when the peak summer weeks have quietened down.
What are the best hiking trails in Nendaz? The bisse walks are the easiest starting point — flat, shaded, 45 minutes to a full day. For something bigger, routes via the Tracouet cable car reach alpine lakes and viewpoints in a few hours, and the multi-day Nendaz Trekking circuit (late June–mid September) is the option for serious hikers.
Is Nendaz good for mountain biking? Yes — 200km of biking and e-bike routes, plus the Tracouet flowtrail, a purpose-built downhill trail suitable for beginners through to experienced riders. It’s now fully open at 5.7km.
How long are the bisse walks in Nendaz? Anywhere from 45 minutes to a full day, depending which route you choose — all follow flat, shaded irrigation channels and are suitable for most fitness levels, including families.
Is Nendaz suitable for families in summer? Yes. The bisse walks, gentle valley trails and the beginner-friendly Tracouet flowtrail all work well with children, and the Tracouet cable car means you don’t need to hike uphill to reach the best viewpoints.
Do I need a guide for climbing or via ferrata in Nendaz? It depends on your experience and the route, but a mountain guide is recommended for via ferrata, glacier days and 4000m peaks. We can arrange one directly for guests staying with us.
When is the best time to visit Nendaz for hiking and biking? The summer season runs June to September, with July and August the most reliable for high-alpine trail conditions. September adds the wine harvest and quieter trails as the peak weeks wind down.
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