Nendaz Tracouet Panorama Theme Trail

This theme trail for children has gorgeous panorama views of the Valais valley and nine fun activities along the trail to keep the kids moving.

There’s also a little alpine lake with picnic areas, a playground with a trampoline and a restaurant for lounging. If you need a bit more, you can take the short 30 min detour to the peak overlooking this area, definitely worth the extra effort. 

Because of the high elevation of this area, it’s not usually not ready for summer hiking until late June. But when it’s ready, it’s one of the sunniest parts of Switzerland where it really feels like summer.

Quick info

Location:	Valais, southern Switzerland
Address:	Nendaz Tracouet gondola
Car:	Parking next to gondola – Route de la Télécabine 59-61, Nendaz 1hr from Montreux or Brig, 2hr from Bern, 3hr20 from Zurich
Train:	Bus stop: Haute Nendaz, Télécabine 1hr30 from Montreux or Brig, 2hr10 from Bern, 3hr30 from Zurich
Trail:	2.3 km loop, about 1 hr with playtime
Condition:	dirt mountain trail
Skill:	easy
Open:	late-June to October
Cost 2021:	CHF 16/adult return No discounts for Swiss travel cards.
More info:	nendaz.ch • webcam

Trail Overview

This panorama trail is located in Nendaz, a small mountain villages in southern Switzerland.

Here’s the trail map. The trail has a bit of climb at the beginning, so small children might need a little encouragement at the start. The trail is not suitable for strollers. 

See trail on Komoot SchweizMobil, All Trails, OutdoorActive

Here is the summer map for the Haute-Nendaz 4 Vallées area. 

Getting to Nendaz

Nendaz is located in southwest Switzerland, near Sion.

By public transport

Take a train to Sion, then bus 162 to Haute-Nendaz, Telecabine, which drops directly in front of the cable car. 

By car

From Sion, you drive up the mountain on a winding two-lane road with lots of tight curves. In Nendaz, there is a parking lot adjacent to the Tracouet gondola at Route de la Télécabine 59-61, Nendaz.

From Zurich

We spent the weekend in Nendaz and traveled there by public transportation from Zürich. It was easy and about the same travel time as by car (probably faster given Friday night traffic). We took a direct train from Zürich to Visp (passing through Bern), then another train to Sion, then a PostAuto bus up the mountain to Nendaz. Total travel time about 3h45.

Make sure to pack enough snacks for the long journey. The connections were a little tight, so we couldn’t get any snacks at the stops in between and the cafes on the train had limited options. 

Impressions from the trail

Riding up the Tracouet gondola (fits 12 people).

At the top of the cable car, there is a restaurant and playground. We saved this for after the hike, my kids jumping on the trampoline for at least an hour. 

Here we are on the short 2.5 km theme trail for children, with 9 interactive stations along the way. 

After the first climb, you can rest on this lounge chair with a view down to the valley.

Big views down to the valley.

Enjoying our watermelon with a view.

View down to gondola and restaurant.

Detour to Dent de Nendaz viewpoint

While my kids were jumping, my husband and took a little detour to the peak show behind the playground in the pic above. It’s called Dent de Nendaz. It took us an extra 30 mins up, 30 mins down, but so worth it.

The views up there were amazing! Next time I want continue from there along the ridge to Plan du Fou.

See more from our weekend in Nendaz