Camping Sur En

Kayakers, cyclists and families with little kids give the place a lively, outdoorsy feel. It sits in a valley beside the river, and the bathroom facilities are excellent. The downside was the constant hum from the power plant and a very unfriendly older man at reception.

The grounds had plenty of room for our tent, and the facilities were clean and spacious, with hot showers, laundry and a barbecue area. The setting is hard to beat, by a river in a valley beneath 3,000m peaks and forest, close to hiking trailheads. Buses connect the campsite with SBB every hour, Sundays included. Staff brought us bread after offering to do so, which was a nice touch. But we’d booked the sauna for the evening after a hike, and it wasn’t ready. There was nobody around to prepare it. The campsite wasn’t full, so I’m not sure what went wrong.

There’s a small shop on site, but no proper shop seems to be nearby, and the place is quite expensive. Payment is in euros or francs, with no credit cards. Still, the facilities are great, and it’s a good base for walking and mountain biking. You can choose an open field or a pitch under trees. It’s probably best for outdoor types. My riverside tent spot held pegs fine.

We came for five winter nights, with a thick layer of fresh snow on the ground, and had a great time skiing in Scoul. The campsite was very nice, the facilities were excellent, and the people were lovely.