Tour of the Val d'Anniviers and Vallon de Réchy

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This eight-day itinerary will take you through the Val d'Anniviers, which boasts many traditional villages such as Chandolin, Saint-Luc, Zinal and Grimentz. You will stay at the Hotel Weisshorn, built in 1882 on a panoramic site at an altitude of over 2,300 metres. On the way to Zinal and then to the Cabane de Moiry, you will have the opportunity to admire the Couronne Impériale, a circle of five 4,000-metre peaks. You will also enjoy a detour into the Réchy valley, which will take you to the village of Vercorin.

Details

n°26474544
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 104.43 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 7,342 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 7,841 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,087 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 509 m

Photos

Bisse de Ricard
Bisse de Ricard
Chalais
Chalais

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Les Pontis - Saint-Luc

    Les Pontis - Saint-Luc

    ↔9.22 km ↗1,145 m ↘491 m
    For this first stage in the Val d'Anniviers, starting from Les Pontis, the trail climbs along steep, wooded slopes to reach the pretty village of Chandolin. The second part of the route takes you to Saint-Luc, a traditional village and winter sports resort. Saint-Luc also has an astronomical observatory and a planetarium housed in a former 19th-century barn.
    View the route
  2. 2
    Saint-Luc - Hôtel Weisshorn

    Saint-Luc - Hotel Weisshorn

    ↔12.10 km ↗1,182 m ↘496 m
    This second stage will take you to the Hotel Weisshorn, but not via the shortest route. Along the way, you will pass peaks such as the Rothorn, Bella Tola and the Aiguilles du Meiden. After Lake Armina, you will join Trail No. 6 (Chemin des Cols Alpins) at the foot of the Meidpass. After the descent to the Combavert mountain pasture, you will need to make one last effort to discover the Hotel Weisshorn, the pearl of the Val d'Anniviers.
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  3. 3
    Hôtel Weisshorn - Zinal

    Hotel Weisshorn - Zinal

    ↔11.97 km ↗371 m ↘1,035 m
    After a night in this historic hotel, the third stage will take you to Zinal, a traditional village in the Val d'Anniviers. You will soon discover the Weisshorn and Bishorn mountains. At the small Bella Vouarda pass, you can admire the so-called imperial crown with five peaks over 4,000 metres high. As you descend towards Zinal, you will follow the end of the famous Sierre-Zinal race, more commonly known as the "Race of the Five 4,000s".
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  4. 4
    Zinal - Cabane de Moiry

    Zinal - Cabane de Moiry

    ↔12.37 km ↗1,849 m ↘703 m
    The Val d'Anniviers ends at the Zinal Glacier and the Moiry Glacier, separated by the Pigne de la Lé and the Garda Bordon. The route of this fourth stage will take you to the Cabane de Moiry, very close to the glacier of the same name. To avoid the long climb to Sorebois, take the cable car to the Weisshorn area. You will switch to the Moiry side and overlook this magnificent lake at an average altitude of 2,500 metres. Upon arrival at the Cabane de Moiry, you will be richly rewarded.
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  5. 5
    Cabane Moiry - Cabane des Becs de Bosson

    Cabane Moiry - Cabane des Becs de Bosson

    ↔16.03 km ↗1,044 m ↘892 m
    For this fifth stage, you will leave the Moiry hut and the snow-capped peaks for another hut in a very different world. You will once again follow the Lac de Moiry, but on its other shore. You will cross large grassy expanses to the Alpage de Torrent. From this mountain pasture to the Pas de la Lona, you will follow part of the famous Verbier-Grimentz mountain bike trail. The final climb will take you to the foot of the Becs de Bosson for a night at almost 3,000 metres.
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  6. 6
    Cabane des Becs de Bosson - Grimentz

    Cabane des Becs de Bosson - Grimentz

    ↔8.48 km ↗143 m ↘1,534 m
    This sixth stage will take you to Grimentz, a beautiful village typical of the Val d'Anniviers. From the Col des Becs de Bosson, the route is all downhill. For the more experienced, it is possible to climb the Petit Bec de Bosson. For this climb: at the pass, the route is marked by a white-blue-white sign. The final section is rated T4 to T5. Not for inexperienced climbers.
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  7. 7
    Grimentz - Vercorin

    Grimentz - Vercorin

    ↔22.03 km ↗1,446 m ↘1,718 m
    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.
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  8. E
    Vercorin - Chalais

    Vercorin - Chalais

    ↔12.24 km ↗162 m ↘972 m
    This last stage will take you back to the Rhône Valley, to the Chalais-Vercorin cable car car park. On this downhill route, you will rejoin the Rèche. After a pretty waterfall, you will walk along the Bisse de Ricard, then cross vineyards irrigated by this canalised bisse. Back in the forest, you will once again follow this peaceful canal.
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Notes

Hike completed by the author from 4 to 11 September 2022
? Transport: If you arrive in Switzerland by car, the best place to park is at the Vercorin cable car car park in Chalais near Sierre. This is the arrival point for stage 8.
Chalais Cable Car - Sierre SBB railway station: Bus No. 1 or No. 411.
In this case, for the first stage, depart from Sierre SBB station on bus No. 451 towards Vissoie.
Get off at Les Pontis.
Bus timetable

➔ Signposting and waymarking in Switzerland: see this page Signposting in Switzerland
➔ Hiking sign: Yellow sign with hiking pictogram

Preparation:
An eight-day itinerary should be planned in advance.
Experience has shown that it is a good idea to check the availability of accommodation, especially in popular areas and, above all, in places where there are no alternative options.

  • Hotel Weisshorn: very busy at weekends.
  • Cabane de Moiry: very busy at weekends.
  • Cabane des Becs de Bosson: very busy at weekends and during local festivals.
  • Zinal: Please note that in September and October, the Sorebois cable car is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. If this is the case, do not arrive in Zinal on a Sunday or Monday, as you will have to climb an additional 1,000 metres.
  • Grimentz: Please note that in September and October, the Bendolla cable car is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If this is the case, do not arrive in Grimentz on a Tuesday or Wednesday, as you will have to climb an additional 520 metres.

? Mountain equipment, including good hiking boots, warm clothing and sun protection.

? Accommodation in Saint Luc: Hôtel Grand Chalet Favre
? Accommodation in Weisshorn: Hotel Weisshorn
? Accommodation in Zinal: Hotel Europe
? Accommodation Cabane de Moiry
? Accommodation Cabane des Becs de Bosson
? Accommodation in Grimentz: Hotel Alpina
? Accommodation in Vercorin: Hostellerie d'Orzival

? Weather: before setting off, check the Swiss weather forecast or Meteoblue.

Worth a visit

  • Les Pontis.
  • Chandolin.
  • Saint-Luc.
  • Lake Bella Tola and the Armina Lakes.
  • Meidpass.
  • Weisshorn Hotel.
  • Nava Peaks.
  • Bella Vouarda.
  • Forcletta Pass.
  • Zinal.
  • Le Besso.
  • The Dent Blanche.
  • Corne de Sorebois.
  • Lake Moiry.
  • Châteaupré Lake.
  • Moiry Hut.
  • Moiry Glacier.
  • Lake Bayenna.
  • Torrent mountain pasture.
  • Basset de la Lona.
  • Lake and Pas de la Lona.
  • Becs de Bosson hut.
  • The Becs de Bosson.
  • Orzival Rock.
  • Bendolla.
  • Grimentz.
  • Louché Pass.
  • Lake Louché.
  • The Crêt du Midi.
  • La Rèche and the Vallon de Réchy.
  • The Vercorin irrigation channel.
  • Vercorin.
  • The Rèche waterfall.
  • Ricard irrigation channel.
  • Chalais.
  • Sierre.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Reviews and comments

Other walks in the area

Walking Les Pontis - Saint-Luc

Visorando member
Les Pontis - Saint-Luc
↔9.22 km ↗+1,145 m ↘-491 m ◔5h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Chalais (Canton du Valais) (Valais)
For this first stage in the Val d'Anniviers, starting from Les Pontis, the trail climbs along steep, wooded slopes to reach the pretty village of Chandolin. The second part of the route takes you to Saint-Luc, a traditional village and winter sports resort. Saint-Luc also has an astronomical observatory and a planetarium housed in a former 19th-century barn.

Walking Vercorin - Grimentz

Visorando member
Vercorin - Grimentz
↔16.02 km ↗+991 m ↘-716 m ◔7h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Chalais (Canton du Valais) (Valais)
This sixth and final stage arrives in Grimentz, a beautiful village in the Val d'Anniviers. During this day, you will walk along two more bisses. First, the Bisse des Sarrasins, marked with information panels. This bisse is not in water. The route partially follows the old bisse trail. Finally, the Bisse de Saint Jean or Grand Bisse. It was abandoned for a long time and completely restored in 2012. As you approach Grimentz, you will enjoy the snow-capped peaks at over 4,000 metres

Walking Vercorin - Chalais

Visorando member
Vercorin - Chalais
↔12.24 km ↗+162 m ↘-972 m ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Chalais (Canton du Valais) (Valais)
This last stage will take you back to the Rhône Valley, to the Chalais-Vercorin cable car car park. On this downhill route, you will rejoin the Rèche. After a pretty waterfall, you will walk along the Bisse de Ricard, then cross vineyards irrigated by this canalised bisse. Back in the forest, you will once again follow this peaceful canal.

Walking Valais Day 5: Bella Tola hut - Gruben

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Cabane de Bella Tola - Gruben
↔10.29 km ↗+506 m ↘-1,017 m ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint Luc (Valais)
First phase in the Saint-Luc skiing area before heading along the Tour de Cervin trail and completing the stage at Gruben.

Walking Saint-Luc - Hotel Weisshorn

Visorando member
Saint-Luc - Hôtel Weisshorn
↔12.10 km ↗+1,182 m ↘-496 m ◔6h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint Luc (Valais)
This second stage will take you to the Hotel Weisshorn, but not via the shortest route. Along the way, you will pass peaks such as the Rothorn, Bella Tola and the Aiguilles du Meiden. After Lake Armina, you will join Trail No. 6 (Chemin des Cols Alpins) at the foot of the Meidpass. After the descent to the Combavert mountain pasture, you will need to make one last effort to discover the Hotel Weisshorn, the pearl of the Val d'Anniviers.

Walking Hotel Weisshorn - Zinal

Visorando member
Hôtel Weisshorn - Zinal
↔11.97 km ↗+371 m ↘-1,035 m ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint Luc (Valais)
After a night in this historic hotel, the third stage will take you to Zinal, a traditional village in the Val d'Anniviers. You will soon discover the Weisshorn and Bishorn mountains. At the small Bella Vouarda pass, you can admire the so-called imperial crown with five peaks over 4,000 metres high. As you descend towards Zinal, you will follow the end of the famous Sierre-Zinal race, more commonly known as the "Race of the Five 4,000s".

Walking Hotel Weisshorn - Gruben

Visorando member
Hotel Weisshorn - Gruben
↔10.58 km ↗+589 m ↘-1,093 m ◔4h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint Luc (Valais)
This twelfth stage takes place once again in the high mountains and, depending on the season, may involve crossing snowfields. The trail is shared with the Apenpässe-Weg, marked with green stickers no. 6. From the Hotel Weisshorn, descend to the Combavert barn. The ascent to the Meidpass begins on a good path that passes close to Lake Combavert. The route is pleasant until the junction with Lake Armina. The final climb is over scree. The descent, which is steep at first, becomes gentler as you approach Meidsee. Then scree and pastures alternate until you reach the hamlets of Oberstafel and Mittelstafel. A good path then descends to Meiden/Gruben.The Meidpass is the French/German linguistic border.

Walking Bisse du Tsittoret

Visorando member
Bisse du Tsittoret
↔17.29 km ↗+749 m ↘-747 m ◔7h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Randogne (Valais)
An accessible hike without any major difficulties, this is a beautiful hike starting from Aminona, with spectacular waterfalls and beautiful landscapes along the way. You can take a break along the way at the Colombire relay station (credit cards accepted) or at the Sex cave (no credit cards).

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