Discover Bex through a variety of themes: its salt mines, trails through the Avançon gorges and its vineyards. The excursions have different starting points and conditions. When planning your day, it is therefore worth checking walking times and bus connections for your chosen destination.
Hiking: Gorge Trail or Longer Loop
An easy hike from Frenières above Bex to Pont de Nant passes through the Avançon gorges and over a suspension bridge above the gorge. A shorter, more accessible family hike reaches Pont de Nant from Les Plans-sur-Bex in 45 minutes. The two trails therefore have different starting points; the 45-minute walking time applies to the route from Les Plans-sur-Bex. Before setting out, check trail conditions and local access.
For a longer day of hiking, consider the Le Bévieux via Frenières loop as a separate route: it is 13.2 kilometres long, with a stated duration of 4 hours and 20 minutes. The route passes through the forest of Monts-sur-Bex and follows the Avançon, with its waterfalls. The starting point at Bévieux is accessible by the Bex–Villars–Bretaye railway; check current train services before travelling. The details for this loop and the shorter hike to Pont de Nant help you plan for different schedules.
Salt Mines and a Visit Underground
The Bex salt mines are Switzerland’s last active salt mine. After an audiovisual presentation, the miners’ train takes visitors inside the salt mountain; the ride is part of the visit. Those who would like to experience the galleries in a subdued atmosphere can consider a lantern-lit visit. The availability of special formats may change; check in advance whether the lantern visit is available.
Bus route 152 runs from Bex railway station to the salt mines and serves them on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and the Monday of the Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable for your visit day.
Art and Local History
Founded in 1981, the Bex Arts Triennial is an open-air exhibition of contemporary art in Szilassy Landscape Park. Sculptures, installations and performances enter into direct dialogue with the landscape. This makes the park a fitting setting for viewing artworks not only on their own, but also in relation to their surroundings.
The Dufour fortifications offer another glimpse into history. They were built from 1830 on the Vaud and Valais sides of the Saint-Maurice gorge to protect it against an attempted foreign invasion. The fortifications can still be visited today; check local conditions before your visit. In the village of Bex, around twenty plaques along the Les Panneaux du Patrimoine route tell the stories of notable places and buildings. The Balade des Fontaines uses the fountains as a thread through local history; the heritage-plaque walk traces the history of thermal bathing in Bex-les-Bains.
Vineyards and Tastings
Bex’s wine-growing area, one of the appellations in the Aigle district, stretches across the three slopes of Le Montet, Chiètres and Le Chêne. The vineyards cover 110 hectares, more than half of which are planted with red grape varieties. The Sentier des vignes leads to the terraced plots and offers a chance to discover their produce along the way. Bex winemakers also open their doors for wine tastings.
One example is Domaine Le Luissalet: the five-hectare family-run estate is located on Chiètres hill and managed by Willy Deladoëy. The visitor experience includes a cellar tour with the producer, an explanation of the winemaking process and a tasting of four wines from the estate. Booking conditions and tasting details may change; confirm the details before planning a visit.
La Thomasia and the Vallon de Nant
La Thomasia is home to around 3,000 mountain plants, arranged according to their geographical origin. The garden lies at the entrance to the Vallon de Nant nature reserve. From Bex, the route to La Thomasia passes through Frenières and Les Plans. From the end of May to the end of September, bus route 152 runs from Bex to Pont de Nant. Outside this period, the bus runs to Les Plans; from there, you must walk another two kilometres. If you are planning your journey around this service, check the timetable for your intended travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Frenières-Sur-Bex, Chessel, Leysin, Barboleusaz, Roche Vd, Villeneuve Vd, Ollon Vd, Lavey-Morcles.
For the overview of the wider region: Aigle.
