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:
Last review:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 64.96 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 24,072 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 25,679 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 10,128 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,670 ft

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

    ↔5.73 mi ↗3,757 ft ↘1,611 ft
    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

    ↔7.52 mi ↗3,878 ft ↘1,627 ft
    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.
    View the route
  3. 3
    Hôtel Weisshorn - Zinal

    Hotel Weisshorn - Zinal

    ↔7.43 mi ↗1,217 ft ↘3,396 ft
    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

    ↔7.69 mi ↗6,066 ft ↘2,306 ft
    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.
    View the route
  5. 5
    Cabane Moiry - Cabane des Becs de Bosson

    Cabane Moiry - Cabane des Becs de Bosson

    ↔9.96 mi ↗3,425 ft ↘2,927 ft
    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

    ↔5.27 mi ↗469 ft ↘5,033 ft
    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

    ↔13.69 mi ↗4,744 ft ↘5,636 ft
    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

    ↔7.61 mi ↗531 ft ↘3,189 ft
    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.
    View the route

Notes

Hike undertaken by the author from 4 to 11 September 2022
? Transport: If you’re travelling to Switzerland by car, the best option is to park at the Vercorin cable car car park in Chalais, near Sierre. This is the finish point of the 8th stage.
Chalais Cable Car – Sierre SBB station: Bus No. 1 or No. 411.
In this case, for the first stage, set off from Sierre SBB station on bus No. 451 towards Vissoie.
Get off at Les Pontis.
Bus timetables

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

Preparation:
An eight-day walking tour needs to be planned in advance.
From experience, it is a good idea to check the availability of accommodation, particularly in popular areas and especially in places where there are no alternative options.

  • Hotel Weisshorn: very busy at weekends.
  • Moiry Hut: very busy at weekends.
  • Becs de Bosson Hut: 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. In this case, you should not arrive in Zinal on a Sunday or Monday, as this would mean an additional 1,000 metres of elevation gain.
  • Grimentz: Please note that in September and October, the Bendolla cable car is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. In this case, do not arrive in Grimentz on a Tuesday or Wednesday, as this will add an extra 520 m of elevation gain.

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

? Accommodation in Saint-Luc: Hôtel Grand Chalet Favre
? Accommodation: Hôtel Weisshorn
? Accommodation in Zinal: Hôtel Europe
? Accommodation at the Moiry Hut
? Accommodation at the Cabane des Becs de Bosson
? Accommodation in Grimentz: Hôtel Alpina
? Accommodation in Vercorin: Hostellerie d’Orzival

? Weather: before you set off, check the Swiss Weather Service or Meteoblue.

Worth a visit

  • Les Pontis.
  • Chandolin.
  • Saint-Luc.
  • Lake Bella Tola and the Armina Lakes.
  • Meidpass.
  • Hotel Weisshorn.
  • Nava Peaks.
  • Bella Vouarda.
  • Forcletta Pass.
  • Zinal.
  • Le Besso.
  • La Dent Blanche.
  • Corne de Sorebois.
  • Lake Moiry.
  • Châteaupré Lake.
  • Moiry Hut.
  • Moiry Glacier.
  • Lake Bayenna.
  • Torrent mountain pasture.
  • Basset de la Lona.
  • Lake and Lona Pass.
  • Becs de Bosson Hut.
  • The Becs de Bosson.
  • Roc d’Orzival.
  • Bendolla.
  • Grimentz.
  • Col du Louché.
  • Lake Louché.
  • Le Crêt du Midi.
  • La Rèche and the Vallon de Réchy.
  • The Vercorin Bisse.
  • Vercorin.
  • La Rèche Waterfall.
  • The Ricard Bisse.
  • 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
↔5.73 mi ↗+3,757 ft ↘-1,611 ft ◔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 Circular Illhorn loop starting from Chandolin

Visorando Member
Boucle de l'Illhorn à partir de Chandolin
↔6.69 mi ↗+2,848 ft ↘-2,835 ft ◔5h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Chandolin (Valais)
A circular walk leading to the summit of the Illhorn, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Valais and Bernese Alps, not to mention a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the Rhône and Illgraben valleys.

Walking Tour du Mont in Vercorin

Visorando Member
Tour du Mont à Vercorin
↔1.89 mi ↗+400 ft ↘-404 ft ◔1h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Chalais (Canton du Valais) (Valais)
A pleasant circular walk around Vercorin. Several vantage points overlooking the peaks of the Rhône Valley and the upper reaches of the Val d’Anniviers.

Walking Vercorin - Grimentz

Visorando Member
Vercorin - Grimentz
↔9.96 mi ↗+3,251 ft ↘-2,349 ft ◔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
↔7.61 mi ↗+531 ft ↘-3,189 ft ◔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 Bella Tola Hut - Gruben

Visorando Member
Cabane de Bella Tola - Gruben
↔6.40 mi ↗+1,660 ft ↘-3,337 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint Luc (Valais)
We started out in the Saint-Luc ski area before joining the Tour du Cervin trail to finish the stage in Gruben.

Walking Saint-Luc - Hotel Weisshorn

Visorando Member
Saint-Luc - Hôtel Weisshorn
↔7.52 mi ↗+3,878 ft ↘-1,627 ft ◔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 Three Bisses Circular Route starting from Venthône

Visorando Member
Boucle des trois bisses au départ de Venthône
↔12.51 mi ↗+2,543 ft ↘-2,520 ft ◔8h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Mollens (Valais)
In Valais, ‘bisses’ are irrigation channels built along the mountainside to distribute water from glacial torrents. Walking along the bisses generally makes for easy (little elevation gain) and pleasant walks. The route suggested here combines several bisses to form a circular route: out via the Bisse Neuf and the Bisse de Varen, through the forest; back via the Bisse de Mengis along the edge of the vineyards, passing by the Cascade de la Raspille. This results in a slightly greater elevation gain (as the outbound and return bisses are at different altitudes), but it allows for a greater variety of landscapes along the way.

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