We really love the region of the Dents du Midi and the village of Morgins in the lower Valais region. Benoit grew up about fifteen minutes away from there and I, well, I have more or less spent all my weekends and winter holidays there since I was a child. Besides, we came back there very often and we did a lot of hiking in the area. At the end of the article we will also give you our best addresses around the village of Morgins (some almost as old as us... ouch!).
Update 2020: We've moved to the village of Morgins which became our base when we're in Switzerland! So we do really have something with this village 😉
But before talking about the nightclub where Benoit and I exchanged our first kiss more than a decade ago (re-ouch) we wanted to share with you a nice hike we often do when we're in Morgins: hiking up the Pointe de Bellevue. But to change a little bit we're going to offer you the Pointe de Bellevue in its beer hiking version with a good beer from the Morgins brewery 7 peaks at the end.
What is beer hiking?
For those of you who read us regularly (thank you by the way) you know that we love beer hikes: these hikes that end with a good local and artisanal beer.
We were fans of the first hour of the book beer hiking in Switzerland which was our first purchase after our return from our rtw trip. So much so that that's how we met Hadi, the founder of Helvetiq (our publishing house) who first offered us to publish our first book Destination tour du monde and then to write our second book: Beer hiking in France.
In short, if you're a fan of hiking and you're sometimes thirsty after all this efforts, we really recommend you to have a look at the Swiss and Swiss-French versions of the book as well as the French version written with love by your 2 favorite little Swiss bloggers.
See beer hiking in switzerland
See our book beer hiking in France
Hike to the Pointe de Bellevue
The walk begins in the village of Morgins, where we attack with a small steep climb just behind the bakery. Moreover we will come back to it later in the article, but the bakery is the ultimate address to buy a small snack to enjoy at the top....
The first part of the hike takes place following the road that goes up towards the point called "Portes de Culet". But let's be reassured, it's not a national road... if we see 2 cars during the ascent it's because we're clearly in rush hour 😉
On the way the panorama is just magnificent, we always have the majestic Dents du Midi to keep us company in the back and the village of Morgins which is gradually moving away.
The climb is really not difficult and is accessible to everyone! To reach the summit at 2042 meters, it takes about 1h30 to 2h30 when you leave from the village!
Once up there the view is simply WOUAAAHHHH !!!! A 360° panorama of the Alps, Lake Geneva and the Rhone Valley!
To the north we have a bird's eye view of the eastern part of Lake Geneva. In the east we can even see the Eiger and Jungfrau on a clear day. To the south? Well the magnificent Dents du Midi of course. 🙂 Probably one of the most beautiful views of the region if you ask me...
We strongly advise you to take a short walk along the ridge at the top to enjoy the view even more!
Descent by the chalet Chanso
Once you have enjoyed the view, it is time to go down again. Of course you can go down by where you arrived. But personally I always thought it was a bit lame to go back to the way. So if there's a choice, I'd rather vary a little! And here, the variation is clearly worth a look if you want my opinion!
When you are at the top and look at dents du midi, then take the small path that goes down on the left. This path will take you to the Plan de Croix and then Chanso through pastures.
After about 45 minutes of descent we arrive at the Chanso chalet. A small haven of peace with a dream terrace where you can come and have a drink while relaxing on the deckchairs. So certainly there is still a long way to go before we reach Morgins. So if it's not yet time for an aperitif, we would recommend their homemade pies and brownies, which are absolutely stunning!
We will talk to you about this favorite below in the good addresses section!
Return to Morgins and tasting of swiss craft beer
Leaving the deckchairs at Chalet Chanso is tough. Very rough even. But at some point you have to get back on the road! The hike continues by joining the Champsot road. But don't worry, we only follow it for a few hundred meters to the restaurant Le Ferrage! So we would almost hesitate to take a second break because the view from the Ferrage is also amazing. But it can't even be 15 minutes since our asses left the deckchairs, so we're not push it to far. But we are reassured that the Ferrage is to be found below also in our good addresses! 🙂
Once at Le Ferrage we go back behind the building and join a small path that takes us in a good hour through pastures and forest towards Morgins.
End of the day with a beer tasting
Once back in the village it is finally time for this long-awaited good beer! And for the moment Morgins even has his own 100% local beer produced with the village water: isn't it nice? The beer is called the 7Peaks. (we tell you why this name in a few lines).
It can be found in almost every bar in Morgins. But if you want some advice, we recommend that you go to Di'Vin (Route de la Patinoire 15) or directly to the brewery.
Infos
- Distance : about 13 kms
- Elevation change : 860 m (up and down)
- Duration :Count 4 hours 30 to 5 hours of walking (by taking it easy)
- Beer : The 7Peaks Beer directly at the brewery (more info below)
- map : here is the map of this hike with all the useful info
You can download the trail of our hike to have it with you on your phone/connected watch. To do this, simply create an account (free) on AllTrails and download the map in the desired format. Download the route on AllTrails - When to do this hike : All year round! The walk can as well be done on foot as on snowshoes! Moreover, Chalet Chanso is open for a good part of the winter to warm you up. To see some pictures of the pointe de Bellevue in winter we invite you to discover our best snowshoe hikes around Morgins.
If you want to shorten the walk, nothing prevents you from leaving your car at Porte de Culet or towards Chalet Chanso. But since we decided to combine the hike with a beer, we decided to leave the car in the garage. 😉
In addition, taking the car will force you to make a round trip, rather than the loop suggested here.
Swiss craft brewery 7 Peaks
Since January 2014, the small village of Morgins has had its own beer, which is also produced in the swimming pool! 🙂 Yes yes yes, in the pool that's right! Well... almost!
The brewery is actually located in an old swimming pool in the Le Savolaire building.
Rest assured, all that remains of the pool today are the catelles and some showers and speakers left on the walls as a souvenir.
Update 2019:
The brewery has moved! But don't worry, they didn't get very far! They left the pool because the room was getting too small.... They are now installed Route de Bas-Vièze 83, just at the entrance to Morgins. The big plus? They have a great bar that is part of the brewery! The Brewery's homepage
Why 7Peaks? Well, of course for the 7 Dents du Midi!
At the moment there are only 4, but the next 3 summits are expected soon.
Benoit is looking forward to the "Haute Cime" version as it is the peak he chose to climb during our tour des Dents du Midi... 😉
Update 2019: All 7 Peaks are now available at the Brewery!
Launched in 2013 by Corinne and Robby, this beer is a hit in the region!
Meeting with 2 passionates
We had the chance to meet these 2 entrepreneurs for a little visit and tasting and the least we can say is that we left excited!
Basically, nothing predestined this aeronautical engineer and this management assistant, both active in large multi-nationals in the Lake Geneva area, to give up everything to become brewers... Robby has always loved beer, but had never brewed anything until a few years ago!
All the mastery and know-how present in 7Peaks beers has been acquired on the job, by trying, by failing too but above all by persevering! Might as well explain that it was good for us to talk a little bit about entrepreneurship when we have just resigned to embark on the adventure! In short, we wish this new artisanal beer a long life, and we look forward to the last 3 summits of the collection! 🙂
Morgins, our good addresses and advice
The Bakery Au Beau Réveil
That's always been a safe choise in the village! It is most probably one of the best bakeries in the Lower Valais if you ask me. (And I'm not saying that because Benoit's sister used to work there...).
Their specialty ? The Carac ! Actually, I don't know if that's their specialty, but it's my thing every time I'm around! Benoit systematically chooses the almond-chocolate croissant.
Besides, we recommended this place to Clo and Kris from the blog Evasions gourmandes, which they did not fail to do during their visit to Morgins (with their photo in support).
more information
The Point Gourmand
That's kind of Morgins' gastronomic address! The cuisine is absolutely divine, all in a cosy atmosphere. At the time there was a delicious pancake shop in these premises, but Point Gourmand is even more classy! Good on the other hand we will admit that the prices are also quite high. Nothing wrong with quality, huh, but let's just say that's not where we go every weekend. (Except when Benoit's parents invite us to eat game meat) hihihi
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Le Ferrage
We have a very special connection with this place. In addition to the fact that it is magnificent and that the cuisine is excellent, it is also the place we chose in August 2013 to do our departure party with our loved ones before our round the world trip. I think I will never forget this evening: about forty friends, the family, good Swiss cuisine, the panorama of the Dents du Midi and a Cuban singer (don't ask for the connection between swiss mountains and a cuban singer... there is none!)
In short, it was the day before our takeoff for what will have been the most memorable adventure of our lives, so this place is and will stay something special to us! 🙂
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The canteen of They
It's been a long time since I've been back, but my father still goes there regularly and I can't wait to go back! More than the canteen of They, it is the 2.5km hiking trail along the Vièze river to get there that is superb! The canteen of They is a mountain pasture bar as we like it: Valaisan planchettes, cheese dishes, and a good wine list of the region.
The Chalet Chanso
We told you about it earlier, the Chanso chalet is a magnificent terrace, but it's also great little dishes prepared over a wood fire! Once there, we simply never want to leave this place again! Personally, it's more for the good food and the beautiful decoration inside. While Benoit is leaning towards the impressive choice of Whisky. 😉
Chalet Chanso also offers dormitory beds for those who really don't want to leave!
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The Yurt
After-skiing at the foot of the slopes! A yurt in the middle of the village, live music, cocktails as if it was raining but above all a great atmosphere! And I think it's the first time I've seen a bar that offers daycare for the youngest between 5pm and 7pm for parents who want to enjoy the after-ski haha.
The T-Bar
So this is the other après-ski bar par excellence! As my parents' apartment is in this building, I would rather explain to you that I spent my youth weekends there. (And my afternoons to crash the wifi there) 😉
In high season it is usually where there is the most atmosphere in the evening. Located just in front of the only Morgins nightclub, it is a bit like the obligatory crossing point for night owls.
Saf club
Hmmm.... How to define? It's been several years since I've been in there. But I believe that the countless evenings spent in this nightclub will leave me with an unforgettable memory forever. Apart from the fact that it was there that Benoit tried his great approach more than 10 years ago, it is probably the place where I practiced my rather average wiggle at the beginning of my twenties... 😀
So here you are, you know a little more about Morgins. Moreover, in winter you have a good chance of finding us somewhere between the ski slopes, the T-Bar and the terrace of Chalet Chanso. Let us know if you come by, we'll share a 7Peaks 😉
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