We are heading to Nendaz Switzerland at the end of September for a week, I would love any places to go things to see/ do in that area! We will be using public transportation! We love festivals but can not seem to find the decent of the cows near where we will be staying! Has anyone stayed in Nendaz?
Posted by
Los Angeles
4853 posts
did you contact their TI? Your hotel?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17422 posts
Will you have a car? What are your interests—-hiking, cultural sites, vineyards, history?
Posted by
Switzerland
408 posts
Some of the alpine descents are listed on the Switzerland tourism website. https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/events/events-search/?rubrik=alpinefestivals
However, some events are also not scheduled yet - they depend a bit on the weather and other conditions, so the exact date is still up in the air. You can check again closer to September or contact the tourist info office and see if they have any tips.
The Valais website also has some info about the cattle drives and 'cow fights' that might be updated as we get closer to fall https://www.valais.ch/en/activities/culture-customs/cow-fights/list-of-cow-fights
Posted by
OP
12 posts
We will not have a car! Thank you so much for your advice! I will contact the TI and keep investigating the cattle drives and cow fights! We love history, culture, beautiful scenery, and wildlife. It’s my first time visiting!
Posted by
Switzerland
408 posts
Nendaz is a bit out of the way, but you could do some day trips to Sion and/or area vineyards as well as Chillon Castle / Montreux region. In theory, you can even reach somewhere like Zermatt if you want to see the Matterhorn.
Definitely contact the Nendaz tourism info and tell them what you're interested in and I am sure they can give you more local ideas.
There are some nice hikes in the Nendaz region (Bisse du Cherve), but I'm not sure what buses/lifts are running at the end of September. Some things might be closed already or running on reduced schedules, only on weekends, etc. Again, the TI can help you out with suggestions for the time of year.
Martigny is also close by and there is a nice vineyard hike there you can do from/to the train station
https://www.martigny.com/en/activities/terraced-vineyard-trail-5879/
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Great advice, thank you so much!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17422 posts
If it is cow fights you are interested in, you are in luck, as that is a specialty of the Valais region.
You can find a list of the scheduled cow fights here:
https://www.valais.ch/en/activities/culture-customs/cow-fights
Dates include Sept. 24, Sept. 25, and October 2. Maybe one of those will work for you?
The website also lists alpine ascents ( spring), but they do not have the descents listed. Perhaps the cow fights are the Valaisian version?
Edit: I see Hopper already posted that link.