Between glacier knowledge, chapel history and trails through varied landscapes, Lourtier offers several options for planning your day. The Maison des Glaciers explores life in the past, the Giétro disaster and glacier theory, as well as natural hazards, the observation of the alpine environment and memories. The museum is dedicated to Jean-Pierre Perraudin, a pioneer of glacier theory; his former home became the Maison des Glaciers in 1993. Several hiking and snowshoe routes also start in Lourtier.
Chapels and glacier history
The chapels also give the cultural side of a stay a range of historical highlights. The Chapelle des Morgnes is dedicated to Saint George and was built in 1659. The chapel in Lourtier-d’en-haut dates from 1832 and is dedicated to Saint John before the Latin Gate. The oratory at the Fregnoley Chapel adds to this history: two brothers from the Luisier family built it between 1920 and 1930. Today it bears the name Saint Joseph; a single mass is held there each year on 1 May. The exhibition at the Maison des Glaciers focuses on something different, bringing together glacier theory, natural hazards, the alpine environment and memories.
Hiking trails with different destinations
The Col des Avouillons route leads from Lourtier to the Cabane Brunet and offers views of the Corbassière Glacier at the foot of Grand Combin. On the descent, the route continues to the Bisse de Corbassière and then through the hamlets of Fionnay and Plamproz. Les Greniers offers a different experience: the trail climbs from Lourtier through grassland, over scree and through the forest to an alpine pasture at the foot of Bec des Rosses. The ruins of old granaries remain there. While Avouillons combines glacier views with a descent via the bisse and hamlets, the changing terrain of Les Greniers leads to an alpine pasture with granary ruins.
Another circular route, the Boucle du Petit Combin, starts in Lourtier. It crosses a moraine dotted with small mountain lakes and offers views of Petit Combin. The loop, moraine and mountain lakes add to the range of landscapes found on the Col des Avouillons and Les Greniers routes.
Snowshoe and cycling routes
The Lourtier–Posodziet–Champsec snowshoe route starts in Lourtier and passes through varied alpine landscapes to the clearing at Posodziet. It also offers a wide view of the Verbier plateau. Snow and trail conditions vary by season; check them before setting out.
The cycling routes also differ in their surfaces and itineraries. Route Enduro 02 reaches Lourtier via an unpaved road and then continues to Champsec on a paved road. The Mauvoisin–Dam Trophy route passes through Lourtier. At the exit from Lourtier, this route recommends taking the summer road on the right bank of the Dranse to avoid two tunnels, including one that is very long. The La Chaux–Lourtier route reaches the village after descending along the stream bank or embankment.
Plan your bus journey and hike
For the journey between Lourtier and Fionnay, you can weigh up the bus and hiking options separately. TMR buses run in both directions on the Le Châble–Lourtier–Fionnay–Mauvoisin route; check the timetable for your travel day. The Fionnay–Lourtier hiking trail follows a forest path to Lourtier and takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes on foot. You can factor both the approximate walking time and the bus timetable into your itinerary.
When looking for a hotel in Lourtier, it helps to first decide whether cultural attractions or trails will be the focus of your trip.
Discover more destinations: Prarreyer.
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