The Grande Dixence dam is 285 m of concrete in Hérémence, our own municipality. Season, prices, the drive from Les Masses and the walks along Lac des Dix, all on this page.
The Grande Dixence dam is 285 m high and its crest lies at 2,365 m. The operator describes it as the tallest gravity dam in the world.
Behind the wall lies Lac des Dix, at the head of the Val des Dix. From the crest you look over the lake and the peaks on one side and down the valley towards Hérémence on the other.
In 2026 the cable car to the crest ran from 4 June to 25 October, non-stop from 9:05 to 17:55 between 4 July and 13 September. A cabin leaves every 10 minutes and the ride takes 4 minutes. The cabins are wheelchair accessible.
The guided tour takes you inside the wall. It lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes, takes up to 30 people and runs 5 times a day in high season. Dates for 2027 have not been published yet.
The walk along the crest takes about 45 minutes and gives a 360° view. It is free; only the cable car is paid.
For experienced hikers, the Sentier des Bouquetins starts at the dam from July to mid-September: 12 km, about 4 hours and 540 m of ascent, with the Col des Roux at 2,800 m as the high point. Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes to the Cabane de Prafleuri along Lac des Dix.
The climb from Sion to the Grande Dixence is a well-known road cycling route: 26.6 km, 1,650 m of climbing, 6.2% average and 10% maximum gradient, finishing at 2,141 m. It passes through Hérémence and Pralong. Bikes go only as far as the foot of the dam.
The Thyon-Dixence race runs from Thyon to the dam on 1 August 2027: 16.35 km and 700 m of ascent.
From the chalet it is 18.1 km by road to the dam, about 34 minutes by car (calculated 15.10.2026). In summer a scheduled bus also runs up from Sion. The road is closed in winter; in 2026 it opened on 4 June.
The visiting season runs from June to October. Outside those months the dam cannot be visited.
A 6 km loop in the valley, for a day when someone does not want to ski downhill.
Day CHF 12, week CHF 40; free up to age 16 (as of 15.10.2026)
Winter without skiing in Les Collons: spa, sledging and snowshoesSource: heremence-tourisme.ch
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A 34-minute drive and you stand below a 285 m wall; you tour the inside with a guide.
Cable car return: adult CHF 10, child 6–16 CHF 5; inside tour: adult CHF 10, child 6–15 CHF 6 (2026 season) (as of 15.10.2026)
The crest walk takes about 45 minutes; the ibex trail is 12 km long and climbs to Col des Roux at 2,800 m.
The crest walk is free (only the cable car is paid) (as of 15.10.2026)
Lac des Dix and Cabane des Dix: the hike behind the damSource: visit-grande-dixence.ch
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One and a half kilometres behind the dogs in the Val des Dix, with Les Nordiques du Quart d'en Bas.
1.5 km ride: adult CHF 40, child CHF 20 (as of 15.10.2026)
Winter without skiing in Les Collons: spa, sledging and snowshoesSource: heremence-tourisme.ch
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Drive times: drive time by car from the house or from the Les Masses chairlift, calculated 15.10.2026; “about” marks an estimate. In the mountains and in winter, add 15–30%.
Video from the official YouTube channel. It loads only when you click.
Our chalet is 18.1 km from the Grande Dixence dam, about 34 minutes by car (calculated 15.10.2026), and 1.8 km by road from the Les Masses chairlift.
By car it takes about 34 minutes and 18.1 km from our chalet (drive time by car, calculated 15.10.2026). In summer a scheduled bus also runs from Sion to the dam. The road is closed in winter.
From June to October. In 2026 the cable car ran from 4 June to 25 October. Dates for 2027 have not been published yet (as of 15.10.2026).
2026 season, as of 15.10.2026: guided tour CHF 10 per adult and CHF 6 per child aged 6 to 15; cable car return CHF 10 and CHF 5; Forfait Découverte CHF 16 and CHF 8. The crest walk is free.
About 45 minutes for the crest walk, about 1 hour 15 minutes for the guided tour, plus 34 minutes' drive each way. A morning or an afternoon is enough.
Yes. Children aged 6 to 15 pay a reduced price for the guided tour, and the cable car cabins are wheelchair accessible. The Sentier des Bouquetins is for experienced hikers only.