Day hike around Lac de Derborence in Valais, Switzerland

I invite you to join me on a day hike around a magical setting, the  Lac de Derborence, one of my favorite places in the region. There are many stories to tell and wonders to discover in this area of pristine beauty!

The Lac de Derborence is a mountain lake in the canton of Valais, located near the Derborence hamlet, formed after two immense landslides at the Diablerets, in 1714 and 1749. Thousands of tons of rocks came crashing down, blocking the course of the Derbonne river, forming a natural barrier which was gradually filled with water, resulting in the creation of the lake.

A beautiful virgin forest with a unique flora grew on the rock debris, due to a particular micro climate. The appearance of a lake altered the natural balance, but created a new enchanting site.

The forest is now a protected area, with pines, spruce, larches, beeches and willows. The valley also boasts an exceptionally rich fauna. It is the natural habitat for chamois, ibex, marmots and hares, and it is also home to several bird species.

The landslide was a source of inspiration for Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz,  a Vaudois author who wrote the novel “Derborence”, published in 1934.

If you’d like to discover the magic of Derborence and its unique legends, just send me a request. We will spend a great day hike in this beautiful region in Valais.

You can also take a look at this hiking programs that I lead in Sentier de Chamois or in theMauvoisin Lake.