recommended route
Stage 1
Tour of the Val d’Anniviers: Pontis - Chandolin - St-Luc (stage 1)
-
Le Touno above St-LucPhoto: Pascal Gertschen, CC BY-ND, Valais/Wallis Promotion
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Safety information
Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.
For all hikes:
- Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on “Print” icon, top right of this page.
- Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Close gates after passing through.
- Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
- Do not leave any waste in nature.
For mountain hikes:
- Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
- Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
For high-altitude hikes:
- Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
- Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.
Tips and hints
More information about the destination:
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The trail begins at a remote bus stop on the main road leading up the valley (Les Pontis).
From the starting point (1,001 m), the path zigzags steeply up the wooded hillside, reaching the idyllic hamlet of Soussillon (1,388 m) after about an hour. The climb continues for about another hour up to Chandolin (1,956 m).
The route leads through the lower part of the village before turning southwards for the second half of the hike: a gentle descent via La Toueille and Lèbing to St-Luc (1,655 m).
For a shorter walk, finish at Chandolin and take the bus from there. (All buses pass through St-Luc before descending to Vissoie, for connecting buses to Sierre.)
Note
Public transport
Train to Sierre, then PostBus bus towards Vissoie; dismount at bus stop “Les Pontis”. At the end of the hike, take the bus from St-Luc (or Chandolin) to Vissoie, and change onto the bus to Sierre.
See the full timetable information at sbb.ch.
Getting there
A9 motorway, exit 29 (Sierre-Est), follow signs for Val d’Anniviers.Parking
Park in Vissoie, take postal bus back to start of walk (Sierre bus, dismount at “Les Pontis”). At the end of the hike, take the bus from St-Luc (or Chandolin) back to Vissoie.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
We recommend:
- good footwear
- clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
- hat or cap
- sunscreen
- bottle for water
- picnic
- camera
- binoculars (optional)
- hiking poles (optional)
- printout of this hike (click “Print” icon, to download)
For certain walks:
- Swimwear
Questions and answers
Would you like to the ask the author a question?
Rating
Help others by being the first to add a review.
Photos from others