L’Eau Rouge is an iron-rich spring in Morgins that turns the stones of the Vièze ochre-red. Lac de Morgins has been protected since 1978. There are also walking trails, mountain activities and village culture — a variety of ways to enjoy a stay in the Valais.
Location between valley, lake and pass
Morgins is a holiday village in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, and is politically part of the municipality of Troistorrents in the district of Monthey. The village lies at an altitude of 1,333 metres in the Val de Morgins, a side valley of the Val d’Illiez in the Chablais. The road through Morgins leads to the Pas de Morgins, which connects the Valais with Haute-Savoie in France. The gondola connects the village centre at 1,350 metres with the summit of Foilleuse at 1,850 metres and can carry ten people.
Lac de Morgins is located within the Morgins resort area in the municipality of Troistorrents. At an altitude of 1,367 metres, it covers 16.5 hectares. The lake highlights another aspect of the village’s location: it is one of the scenic places for which Morgins is known, alongside its trails and mountain activities.
On foot: Pointe de Bellevue and Vallon de They
From the tourist information office in Morgins, Pointe de Bellevue can be reached on foot in 2 hours and 15 minutes; it rises to an altitude of 2,041 metres. Vallon de They is also accessible on foot from the village centre. Its promenade crosses 32 wooden bridges, each named after a local flower. As well as leading to its destination, the walk offers a series of clearly identifiable trail features.
Summer and mountain activities
In summer, Morgins has numerous hiking trails and a cross-border network of routes for mountain bikers. The E-Bike 06 route is a 26-kilometre, moderately difficult circular trail that starts in Morgins or Champoussin. The Géant trail in the Champéry–Les Crosets–Morgins bike park is different: it is located in Morgins and is designed for beginners.
Espace du GĂ©ant has a 2.5-kilometre forest course for archery. Its 18 targets depict various animals from the region. You can also ride down on a DĂ©valkart, a non-motorised vehicle; the ski lift takes you back up. The DĂ©valkart activity is available seasonally, so it is advisable to check availability before travelling.
Guided horseback rides are also among the activities on offer in Morgins: Ranch de Morgins offers rides on ponies and horses in both winter and summer. The activities therefore vary by type and season; the seasonal availability of DĂ©valkart is particularly worth checking.
Village culture and history
In the heart of the village, Le Carillon pour la Paix is an outdoor cultural heritage site in the mountains. The carillon has 23 bells, with two more in the church tower. As a cultural attraction, it adds a village-centre highlight to the area’s landscape and outdoor offerings.
The history of tourism in Morgins dates back to the 1820s: the tourist use of its iron-rich water helped the village develop into a spa destination. The former Grand Hôtel des Bains, built in 1846, hosted spa guests from England, Germany and France. The hotel was demolished in 1981, making it part of the area’s history rather than its present-day accommodation options.
The history of winter sports also extends beyond the national border. In 1961, Morgins became the first ski resort in Switzerland to agree to cooperate with the French winter sports resort of Châtel. This agreement laid the foundations for the Franco-Swiss Portes du Soleil ski area.
Discover more destinations: Vouvry, Champéry, Port-Valais, Monthey, Torgon, Troistorrents, Val-D'illiez, Saint-Gingolph.
Back to the main travel overview: Monthey.
