Nissod, from Panorama

Access

Leaving the [A5] motorway at the Châtillon/Saint-Vincent exit, turn right heading towards the spa town. After passing a traffic light, continue straight on for about 400m before reaching Località Panorama and meeting, on the right, a large free car park where you can leave your car.

[0h03'] - [1.8km]
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The information provided here was verified at the time of the route survey. Before setting off, it is advisable to ensure that no substantial changes have occurred on the route to the starting point. We therefore recommend the use of the satellite navigation apps provided by Google or Apple for up-to-date and detailed directions.

Introduction

Nissod is a small village located on a convenient shelf on the southern slopes of Mont Zerbion. Inhabited only in the summer as the winding communal access road is not cleared of snow in winter. Inside the village is the chapel dedicated to Saint-Bernard, the Exaltation of Our Lady of All Powers and the Cross. Built in the 18th century, it was recently restored and its façade bears a beautiful fresco dedicated to the saint created in 2000 by Prof. Girardi. Due to its southern exposure, it is advisable not to undertake this itinerary at hot times of the day or in the middle of summer: spring remains the preferred season.

Description

0h00' From the car park, go up the pavement for about a hundred metres until you come to a pedestrian crossing: cross the road and take the lane to the right of Hotel Sylcri. A signpost indicates that you are starting on path to Domianaz. Briefly follow the path past a few houses before reaching a clearing at Remelaz, where a yellow marker directs the walk back onto a short stretch of path that joins a farm track.

0h05' Turn left and walk along the little road for a few dozen metres before turning right onto a path which, after a short stretch that is almost flat, begins to climb up through the wood with a series of hairpin bends until it crosses the Ru de la Plaine path.

0h10' Continue following the signs for the Balteo Path to La Magdeleine and, after a short ascent, join a small road that crosses the village of Verlex 💧. Follow the little road until the next crossroads with the hill road and, near the chapel dedicated to saints Fabian and Sebastian, turn right to take the little road that leads to the village of La Tour.

0h20' Climb up the little road that crosses the village of La Tour 💧 to its summit where it turns right and leads to the start of the path. A new bollard of the Camino Balteo   indicates the correct direction. Climb up the path in front of the Tour Decré d'Emarèse. After an initial ascent, the path flattens out slightly as it crosses a pleasant pastureland with the village of Domianaz now in sight. The path keeps to the right of the pastureland and amidst some chestnut scrub leads close to the village, which is reached by a small ramp. At the height of a votive shrine 💧 dating from 1871, turn left to follow the little road through the village to the little square in front of the chapel dedicated to Saint-Roch (736m).

0h35' Continue along the little communal road, pass a hairpin bend to the right and, a little further on, you will come to the posts indicating the start of the path to the left of the direction of travel. 

0h40' Climb up the beautiful mule track, marker , paved in places with dry stone walls. The ascent is steady, but the work of man in the past has made it never excessively steep. We head westwards, in some places with wooden railings, until we come to a cross: here the path changes direction, heading north towards the rocky massif below Nissod. This first section of the path is immersed in a forest of downy oaks (Quercus pubescens) and a few sporadic firs, which occasionally open up to allow interesting panoramic views of Saint-Vincent. After a series of twists and turns, the path crosses the waters of the Saint-Vincent stream and leads to its orographic right, and after a short distance you reach a large building: this is the marble quarry of Rivaz. 

0h40' The itinerary takes on a decidedly higher altitude with a series of hairpin bends in the coniferous forest, which is decidedly more shady. The path skirts a rocky section and begins to level out until it meets a votive shrine (1105m) with a bench, allowing some time to appreciate the interesting view of the mountains south of the Dora Baltea: from Mont Lyan to the Becca di Salé. 

1h30' The forest now gives way to the pastures below Nissod and leads close to some vegetable gardens before becoming a small farm track. Below the imposing mass of Monte Zerbion, the path joins the asphalt road: follow it for a few hundred metres until you come to a panel indicating the arrival at Nissod. We follow the road by turning left and, after a few metres, turn right onto a small path that enters the village. We pass a beautiful rural building, with an attached barn, and finally reach the chapel of Saint-Bernard, patron saint of the village (1382m) and shortly afterwards the village fountain 💧1h45' .

The descent follows the same route as the ascent 1h00' .