Farinet Footbridge

Crossing the bridge is the main activity on site. The deck sways gently underfoot, giving a sense of the depth of the ravine carved into the limestone gorge. From the footbridge, the view takes in the Saillon vineyards, the hillsides and the peaks of central Valais, a viewpoint popular with photographers.

On the sheer rock face of the right bank, near the footbridge, a large aluminium sculpture depicts a dove carrying a bunch of grapes. This Dove of Peace was designed by Lucerne artist Hans Erni to mark the turn of the millennium.

The Via Farinetta, the first via ferrata in Valais to link the plain and the mountain, runs through the gorge for about 1 km with 330 m of elevation gain. Equipped with cables, ladders and footbridges, it has three sections of increasing difficulty (AD+, D+ and TD+) : the first is suitable for beginners, while the last is demanding.

Access : take the bus towards Ovronnaz to the Les Places, Bifurcation stop, then walk 15 minutes along an almost flat path. A signposted trail also starts from the village of Saillon, which has a large car park.

Visit duration : about 1 hr 30 for the round trip from Saillon, or 2 hrs 30 for the 7.9 km loop via Leytron (440 m elevation gain).

Suitable for : families and moderately experienced walkers, and climbers for the via ferrata.

Wear good shoes : the trail is rocky in places and can become slippery in winter. A walking pole helps those unused to mountain terrain. If you are prone to vertigo, take it step by step.

Conditions are best from April to October, and mornings often offer better visibility for photography.

• The Bains de Saillon is a modern thermal spa at the foot of the medieval village.
• Saillon Castle is a medieval ruin perched on a hill, crowned by the Bayart Tower.
• The Farinet Museum of Counterfeit Money displays a collection of counterfeit coins and tells the story of Farinet.