Grimentz - Vercorin

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This seventh stage will take you to Vercorin. This small, traditional village is located on the border between the Vallon de Réchy and the Val d'Anniviers. From Grimentz, take the Bendolla cable car and follow the trails through the ski area to reach the Col du Louché. You will then descend into the magnificent Vallon de Réchy. After Lac du Louché, follow the Rèche to the towpath where the peaceful Bisse de Vercorin begins. You will soon reach the pretty little village of Vercorin.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour of the Val d'Anniviers and Vallon de Réchy

Details

n°26659752
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.69 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 10h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,744 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5,636 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,475 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,321 ft
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Photos

La Rèche
Lake Louché
Lake Louché
Lake Louché

Description of the walk

The starting point for this stage is at the Alpina Hotel.

(S) From the hotel, head towards the Bendolla cable car station.

(1) Take a one-way ticket to Bendolla and alight at the Bendolla top station.

White-Red-White markings

(2) Heading north-west, take the path that crosses a stream. Follow the stream along its left bank until you reach a fork in the path.

(3) Turn right towards the Grimentz Vijevy chairlift station. Pass close to this station and follow the track leading to the Buvette d’Orzival.

(4) Continue to the left until you reach a junction of tracks.

(5) Stay on the track to the left and reach another fork.

(6) Take the path on the right towards the Col du Louché. Pass under the Lona ski lift and then the top station of the Becs de Bosson ski lift. Go round the lift and begin the ascent of the Col du Louché over scree.

(7) Begin a long, steep descent towards Lac du Louché, crossing a marshy area bordering the rocks. Walk along the northern shore of the lake until you reach a junction with a signpost.

(8) Head north towards the Crêt du Midi. Cross a stream and reach a junction.

(9) Take the path on the right overlooking the Rèche. Cross the Rèche at the 2,333-metre mark. Cross the marshy area known as l’Ar du Tsan. Continue to a junction.

(10) Leave the Crêt du Midi path on your right. Turn left and continue along the marshland until you reach a place called le Pichioc. Cross the Rèche again. Keep to the right and arrive at another fork in the path.

(11) Turn right towards the towpath. Descend the Réchy valley, following the Rèche along its left bank. You’ll come to another bridge over the Rèche.

Yellow markings

(12) Cross the Rèche and reach the towpath refreshment hut.
(13) After the refreshment kiosk, begin the pleasant walk along the Bisse de Vercorin. Continue along this peaceful canal to the Refuge du Bisse.
(14) From the refuge, follow the signs for “Path No. 58” to the entrance to the village of Vercorin. At the first chalets, turn left towards the Route des Tsablots.
(15) Walk down Route des Tsablots, enter Vercorin, pass the post office (on the right) and arrive in front of the Hôtel des Mayens.
(16) Head towards the centre and, 70 metres on, look out for the Impasse d’Orzival.
(17) At the end of the cul-de-sac, you’ll arrive at today’s accommodation: the Hostellerie d’Orzival (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 5,226 ft - Hotel Alpina - Grimentz
  2. 1 : mi 0.1 - alt. 5,246 ft - Bendolla lower station
  3. 2 : mi 0.92 - alt. 6,972 ft - Bendolla upper station
  4. 3 : mi 1.62 - alt. 7,405 ft - Junction – turn right
  5. 4 : mi 2.92 - alt. 8,478 ft - Orzival refreshment bar
  6. 5 : mi 3.63 - alt. 8,907 ft - Keep to the left
  7. 6 : mi 4.31 - alt. 9,393 ft - Col du Louché sign
  8. 7 : mi 4.53 - alt. 9,472 ft - Col du Louché
  9. 8 : mi 5.84 - alt. 8,438 ft - Lake Louché – Crêt du Midi sign
  10. 9 : mi 5.98 - alt. 8,386 ft - On the right: Crêt du Midi
  11. 10 : mi 8.19 - alt. 7,221 ft - On the left
  12. 11 : mi 8.59 - alt. 7,139 ft - Turn right towards the towpath for La Lé
  13. 12 : mi 9.98 - alt. 5,413 ft - La Reche
  14. 13 : mi 10.06 - alt. 5,453 ft - Buvette du towpath de la Lé
  15. 14 : mi 12.03 - alt. 5,289 ft - Refuge du Bisse
  16. 15 : mi 13.07 - alt. 4,639 ft - Route des Tsablots
  17. 16 : mi 13.55 - alt. 4,334 ft - Hôtel des Mayens
  18. 17 : mi 13.59 - alt. 4,337 ft - Impasse d’Orzival
  19. E : mi 13.69 - alt. 4,331 ft - Hostellerie d’Orzival

Notes

? Bendolla cable car. Take a single journey from Grimentz to Bendolla: 7 CHF (half-price with the Anniviers Pass provided by the hotels. (September 2022). Please note that the Bendolla cable car is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays in September and October.
The elevation gain is around 820 metres and the distance is approximately 20.5 km.

➔ Signposting and Markings in Switzerland: see this page on Signposting in Switzerland
➔ Hiker sign: Yellow sign with a hiker pictogram

? Mountain kit, including good walking boots, warm clothing and sun protection.

? Accommodation in Vercorin: Hostellerie d’Orzival

? Weather: before setting off, check the Swiss Weather Service or Météoblue.

Worth a visit

  • Grimentz.
  • Bendolla.
  • Col du Louché.
  • Lake Louché.
  • La Maya.
  • Becca de Lovégno.
  • La Brinta.
  • Crêt du Midi.
  • La Rèche and the Vallon de Réchy.
  • The Bisse de Vercorin.
  • Vercorin.

Reviews and comments

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