Did you know that the river which flows down from the heights of Aminona is one of Switzerland’s most precious watercourses? In 2024, the Tièche was recognised by WWF Switzerland and the Rivières Perles association as one of the country’s eight natural watercourses. From its source to the Tsittoret bisse, it flows freely over 13 kilometres without any human intervention. This is almost unique in Switzerland, where fewer than 4 per cent of rivers remain in such a natural state.
This freedom provides an ideal environment for exceptional biodiversity. On its banks, you might spot a rock ptarmigan, a rock partridge or a grey wagtail, whilst the riverbed is home to Perla grandis, a tiny insect so sensitive to pollution that it only thrives in water that is impeccably pure. Its presence, recently confirmed by field-based experts, attests to the excellent ecological condition of the river.
To find out more, watch this episode of WWF Switzerland’s «Panda On Tour».
Encouraged by this initial recognition, the municipality of Crans-Montana has set its sights on the «Rivière Perle PLUS» label. This is a participatory initiative in which the local community is also invited to play a part in respecting the environment, so that this natural treasure will retain its rich nature and freedom. It offers a chance to (re)discover the region in a different light on a walk to the Tièche waterfall and beyond.
