Val d'Hérens is an alpine

Swiss Alps

The Swiss Alps are the portion of the Alps mountain range that lies within Switzerland. Because of their central position within the entire Alpine range, they are also known as the Central Alps....

 valley in the Valais

Valais

The Valais is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Geneva, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton is one of the drier parts of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley...

 canton of Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

. It was formed by the Hérens glacier, which retreated at the end of the last ice age

Ice age

An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...

.

It extends from the Rhône

Rhône River

The Rhone is one of the major rivers of Europe, rising in Switzerland and running from there through southeastern France. At Arles, near its mouth on the Mediterranean Sea, the river divides into two branches, known as the Great Rhone and the Little Rhone...

 valley to a number of high mountains - Dent Blanche

Dent Blanche

The Dent Blanche is a mountain in the Pennine Alps, lying in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. With its high summit, it is one of the highest peaks in the Alps.-Naming:...

, Dent d'Hérens

Dent d'Hérens

The Dent d'Hérens is a mountain in the Pennine Alps, lying on the border between Italy and Switzerland. The mountain lies a few kilometres west of the Matterhorn.The Aosta hut is used for the normal route.-Naming:...

, Mont Collon

Mont Collon

Mont Collon is a mountain in the Pennine Alps in Switzerland. Its glaciated north face dominates the view south from the village of Arolla.The first ascent was made by A. Cust and F. Gardiner with guides H. and P. Knubel on 3 August 1876....

, Mont Blanc de Cheilon

Mont Blanc de Cheilon

Mont Blanc de Cheilon is a mountain in the Pennine Alps in Switzerland. The mountain lies between the valleys of Bagnes and Arolla and is one of the highest summits between the Grand Combin to the west and the Dent Blanche to the east...

. It is a popular start point for mountain expeditions.

The area has two mountain peaks over 4,000 metres in altitude: la Dent Blanche ("white tooth") at 4,357 m, and la Dent d'Hérens ("Hérens tooth") at 4,171m. Other noteworthy peaks along the valley include: Grand Cornier, Mt Collon, Pigne d'Arolla, Vouasson, Rosablanche, and Mt Blanc de Cheillon.

The valley includes the following villages:

• Arolla
  Arolla
  Arolla is a village in the municipality of Evolène in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.It is situated at the end of the Val d'Hérens south of Sion at 1998m altitude in the Pennine Alps...
  
  
• Les Haudères
• Grande Dixence
  Grande Dixence
  Grande Dixence S.A. is a Société Anonyme operating in Switzerland which runs the Bieudron Hydro Project and the Grande Dixence Dam in the Val d'Hérens, Valais...
  
  
• La Sage
• Evolène
  Evolène
  Evolène is a municipality in the district of Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.-History:Evolène is first mentioned in 1250 as Ewelina. In 1444 it was mentioned as in loco de Evolena.- Avalanches of the 21st of February, 1999 :...
  
  
• Euseigne
• Saint-Martin
  Saint-Martin, Valais
  Saint-Martin is a municipality in the district of Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.-Geography:Saint-Martin has an area, , of . Of this area, 33.0% is used for agricultural purposes, while 42.9% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 2.4% is settled and 21.8% is unproductive land.The...
  
  
• Hérémence
  Hérémence
  Hérémence is a municipality in the district of Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.-Geography:Hérémence has an area, , of . Of this area, 18.0% is used for agricultural purposes, while 18.8% is forested...
  
  
• Thyon Les Collons
• Mase
  Mase, Switzerland
  Mase is a former municipality in the district of Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. On 1 January 2011, the former municipalities of Vernamiège, Nax and Mase merged in the new municipality of Mont-Noble.-History:...
  
  
• Vernamiège
  Vernamiège
  Vernamiège is a former municipality in the district of Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. On 1 January 2011, the former municipalities of Vernamiège, Nax and Mase merged in the new municipality of Mont-Noble.-Geography:...
  
  
• Vex
  Vex, Switzerland
  Vex is a municipality and capital of the district of Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.-Geography:Vex has an area, , of . Of this area, or 32.1% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 47.5% is forested...
  
  
• Nax
  Nax
  Nax is a former municipality in the district of Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. On 1 January 2011, the former municipalities of Vernamiège, Nax and Mase merged in the new municipality of Mont-Noble.-History:...
  
  

The Herens breed of cattle is named after the valley.

External links

• Web site (in French and German)