The Animal Trail in Grimentz: a footprint hunt for families

On the trail of the mountain animals

Starting from the Grimentz tourist office, the Animal Trail descends gently to the hamlet of St-Jean. All along the trail, children play at recognising the mountain animals by their footprints, spot silhouettes hidden in the forest and solve the riddles on the panels. Easy and accessible to all, it's a playful nature walk that can be done in summer as well as in winter (with care in icy conditions).

What your children will discover

Children become real little trackers: whose footprint is this? Which animal is hiding behind that tree? Along the panels, they discover the local wildlife (marmots, deer, foxes…) in an active and fun way. It's an ideal way to walk without realising it, keeping attention alert all along the way.

What you do and the atmosphere on site

You set off from Grimentz, follow the waymarked trail to St-Jean stopping at the stations, and come back on foot (along the bisse) or by postbus. The atmosphere is that of a lovely walk through forest and alpine pasture. The route, easy and downhill, suits families well; remember to adapt the distance to the children's age.

Before you go

• Recommended age: as a family from age 3-4 (an easy trail)
• Route: Grimentz → St-Jean, waymarked educational trail (footprints, silhouettes, riddles)
• Price: free
• Return: on foot along the St-Jean bisse, or by postbus from St-Jean
• What to bring: good shoes, a picnic, water
• Best season: from spring to autumn (doable in winter with care)

Parents' tips

• The return by postbus from St-Jean saves walking the route again.
• Easy, downhill trail: adapt the distance for the youngest.
• Turn the walk into a game: who finds the most footprints?
• Doable in winter, but take care in icy conditions.
• Combine it with the St-Jean bisse and its waterfall.

Useful information

• Start: Grimentz tourist office
• Finish: Gîte de St-Jean (return by postbus or bisse)
• Official website: valdanniviers.ch
• Price: free
• Season: from spring to autumn (and winter with care)

Why we recommend it

Because it's the ideal walk to keep children moving without them noticing: an easy trail starting from Grimentz where you play at recognising the mountain animals, with footprints and riddles. Free, playful and natural.

In a nutshell

An easy educational trail from Grimentz to St-Jean, where children recognise the mountain animals (footprints, silhouettes, riddles) — a playful, free nature walk for families.