The Salanfe Dam, a gravity dam built in 1947, holds back an artificial lake at over 1,900 m altitude, in a glacial basin overlooked by the Dents du Midi. You hike up from Van d’en Haut, then walk around the lake.
Dams
Salanfe Dam
Main highlights
- Gravity dam 52 m high and 608 m long, built in 1947
- 40-million m³ lake in a glacial basin at the foot of the Dents du Midi
- Educational trail around the lake covering the site’s wildlife, plants and geology
Overview
The Salanfe Dam is 52 m high, 608 m long at the crest and 40 m thick at its base. This gravity dam is made up of 42 concrete blocks, each 14 m wide, totalling 230,000 m³ of concrete. Its 40-million m³ reservoir feeds the Miéville power station in the Rhône Valley through a 4.6 km underground penstock.
Completed in 1947, it brought to a close a project long disputed between the municipalities of Salvan and Saint-Maurice. It harnesses a 1,472 m head, one of the highest in Switzerland. The power station’s two Pelton turbines generate 70 MW.
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What to see and do
The main trail starts from Van d’en Haut. This waymarked path takes about 1 hr 30 of walking with 500 m of elevation gain. It crosses varied landscapes, with views over the Rhône Valley and Martigny, before reaching the lake overlooked by the Dents du Midi and the Tour Sallière.
Once at the dam, an educational trail loops around the lake in 2 hrs 30 to 3 hrs. Information panels present the alpine wildlife, plants and geology of the glacial cirque. The walk follows the reservoir and offers several viewpoints over the peaks.
The area also preserves the remains of the former Salanfe gold mines. A family-friendly walk lets you explore them while enjoying the panorama over the cirque and its peaks.
Practical information
Access : from Salvan-Les Marécottes, follow the Vallon de Van and then Van d’en Haut along 8 km of cliffside road. There is a car park near the Van d’en Haut campsite.
Visit duration : 1 hr 30 ascent, plus 2 hrs 30 to 3 hrs for the lake loop.
On site : the Auberge de Salanfe offers food, a terrace and accommodation in dormitories or private rooms.
Guided tours : available on request from the relevant authorities.
Visitor tips
Bring hiking boots : some sections include steep steps and rocky stretches. Pack warm clothing, even in summer, as the weather changes quickly at this altitude. A reasonable level of fitness is required. Swimming and water activities are regulated.
This place is part of the selection What to do in the Trient Valley ?
Nearby attractions
- The Triège Gorges are explored via footbridges and three bridges that trace the history of the valley.
- The Trient Gorges, near Vernayaz, are narrow and deep, spanned by two bridges.
- VerticAlp Emosson offers rail-based attractions in the Trient Valley, on the French-Swiss border.
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