Haut Val de Bagnes – Valais – Switzerland

The Haut Val de Bagnes, in Valais canton of Switzerland, has been a protected zone since 1968.
With a surface of 150 km2, this is the second biggest nature reserve in Switzerland, among its 1600 reserves, after the Zernez national Park.
Hiking in the Haut Val de Bagnes will let you encounter the swiss Wildlife, with many ibexes (mountain goats, reintroduced in Bagnes from 1926), chamois and marmots. I didn’t see that many that day, even after exploring those mountains from sunrise, but I wans’t so unlucky.
Going up to Termin Pass (2648m), I could enjoy the view over the surroundings, including Le Grand Combin and its glacier, Mauvoisin Lake and barrage (the highest arch dam in Europe).

The goal of the hike was to reach the Sentier des Chamois, hiking a bit on the trail of the Tour of the vaulted stables (with those of Louvie, and Sovereu), advised by my friend Léo.
Finishing the day in the Haut Val de Bagnes, at the Louvie’s hut (Cabane de Louivie) in front of the Louvie Lake, I enjoy a cold drink with two nice hikers, Lauriane and Réanne, who also stopped there.
A moment to rest my knees which supported me and the photo gear, and it is time to start the very steep descent.

Chamois silhouette on mountain ridge
F8, 1/2500 sec, 600 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Val de Bagnes, mountain creek
F11, 1/640 sec, 10 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Val de Bagnes from the heights, Valais, Switzerland
F11, 1/130 sec, 10 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Eagle beak pass, Col du Bec d'aigle, 2567m
F9, 1/640 sec, 10 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Louvie Lake, Valais, Switzerland
F11, 1/320 sec, 230 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Chamois in Haut Val de Bagnes, Swiss Wildlife
F6.3, 1/500 sec, 600 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Ray on light on a dandelion in the mountains
F6.3, 1/1000 sec, 600 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Ibex horns behind rocks, watching WIldlife
F6.3, 1/500 sec, 600 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Louvie Lake, Haut Val de Bagnes
F13, 1/800 sec, 11 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Common kestrel in flight
F6.3, 1/2500 sec, 600 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Louvie Lake, Haut Val de Bagnes, Mauvoisin lake in background
F10, 1/320 sec, 10 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Hiking trail in Haut Val de Bagnes
F13, 1/400 sec, 10 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

View above the valley of Val de Bagnes, from the summits
F13, 1/640 sec, 10 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Ibex, reintroduced in Bagnes from 1926
F6.3, 1/400 sec, 600 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Le Grand Combin and its glacier, Mauvoisin Lake and barrage (on the left)
F9, 1/1250 sec, 17 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

The Apollo butterfly or mountain Apollo (Parnassius apollo)
F9, 1/1600 sec, 70 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Cabane de Louvie in front of Louvie Lake
F7.1, 1/1250 sec, 17 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Marmot in Haut Val de Bagnes
F6.3, 1/800 sec, 512 mm, ISO3200, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Waterfall along the cliffs of Val de Bagnes, Valais, Switzerland
F7.1, 1/250 sec, 70 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D Mark II

I hope you like my photos of the Haut Val de Bagnes, in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Perhaps they will motivate you to go hiking there to enjoy and respect its nature and wildlife.