iCyclades - Cyclades Discovery Guide

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Like the Refuge du Lac de Derborence, this inn is only open when the road is passable, i.e. from May to October. The welcome is very friendly, there is a beautiful sunny terrace and a children's area with swings, a trampoline, a cabin and a slide. It is a good starting point for hiking or for stopping over, as the inn offers 6 rooms.

To avoid the stress of driving on a narrow, vertiginous access road, take the postal bus and enjoy the scenery without breaking a sweat. Bus 331/332 departs from Sion bus station and terminates just over 400 metres from Lake Derborence. If you decide to go by car, drive very carefully, as the road is one of the most dangerous in Switzerland!

Godey is the last stop on the postal bus route before Derborence. It is less touristy than the famous Diablerets landslide site, but well worth a visit for the view from the top of the Godey Lake dam. Please note: in the morning, the bus goes as far as Auberge du Godet, but in the afternoon it stops here, so you cannot wait for it on the terrace of the inn.

This natural lake did not always exist. It was formed in 1749 at the bottom of the Derborence cirque following a major rockslide that tore away a huge chunk of rock from the cliff face beneath the Diablerets glacier, resulting in the spectacular rocky chaos that characterises this site, one of Switzerland's most famous tourist destinations.

Built in 1973-1974, an earth-fill dam on the Lizerne River created this small artificial lake. There are no trails around this picturesque lake, located at an altitude of 1,400 metres and surrounded by steep walls, but you can admire the panoramic view from the top of the dam. From the Godey bus stop, it is a short, easy walk with less than 40 metres of elevation gain.

To discover a spectacular panoramic view of Lake Derborence nestled in its mountain cirque, you can take a trail that starts at Refuge du Lac and heads towards the nearby mazots (traditional chalets). Just a hundred metres away, you will be treated to a breathtaking view that you will never forget!

It is the only café-restaurant in Derborence, open from May to October. The refuge also has a 35-seat carnotzet and 4 dormitories offering a total of 36 beds (sheets, duvets and pillows provided, but small sleeping bags are compulsory). Derborence is a hiker's paradise, so expect it to be very busy, and sometimes even overcrowded!

A pretty chapel built in 1958 in a clearing near the Godey bus stop. The chapel is locked to prevent vandalism, but during the summer, Mass is celebrated there every Sunday at 11 a.m. This probably explains the presence of benches in front of the chapel, which is not very large. An ideal place to take a break, basking in the sun or enjoying the shade of the forest.