Thyon – Grande Dixence

Thyon – Grande Dixence

Difficulty: T2 / ✶✶✶
Distance: approx. 16 km
Duration: approx. 5 h 20
Ascent: 889 m
Descent: 871 m
Highest point: 2’454 m
Stations: Thyon – Les Gouilles d’Essertse – Essertse – Orchèra – Allèves – Grande Dixence
Best time to hike: June – September

This trail follows the route of a popular run that starts in Thyon and ends at the impressive Dixence dam.

And just like the run, you need to spread your strength well during this hike, especially on a hot day. And this is due to the hills that are at the beginning and end of the route. The middle of the trek, on the other hand, can be described as a relaxing walk, without much difficulty.

We reached Thyon – a well-known ski resort – by gondola from Veysonnaz. It was rather quiet there in August. There were also few hikers on the trail. It only became noisy and crowded at the dam itself.

The dam and a section of glacier appear on the horizon quite quickly and are already impressive from a distance. The entire surroundings, with their green alpine meadows, mountain streams and snow-covered peaks, are stunning.

The first hydroelectric dam in the Val des Dix valley appeared in 1934. Four years earlier, workers at the dam erected the small chapel of St. Jean, which still stands there today.

The 285-metre-high Grande Dixence was built between 1951 and 1965 and its size is impressive. The thickness of the wall at the base alone is 200 metres. And all this at an altitude of 2’365 metres above sea level.

Of the additional attractions, I would also mention the Tyrolean railway with a length of about 700 metres, which runs right next to the dam, and the possibility of guided tours of the inner tunnels in the dam.

Finally, the dam can also be reached by bus or car. But remember, it is the road itself that is the destination, not the dam.

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