recommended route
Stage 2
Tour of the Val d'Anniviers : the five 4,000 meter peak hike (stage 2)
Hikes
· Valais
-
Hotel WeisshornPhoto: CC BY-ND, Val d'Anniviers Tourisme
Scenic funicular ride, heavenly astronomical trail, historical hotel and glorious views of the “Couronne Impériale” consisting of five 4,000-metre peaks.
moderate
Distance 16.2 km
5:00 h
525 m
1,040 m
2,429 m
1,661 m
St-Luc is known for its observatory installed above the village. This is where the trail begins, not far from the top station of the St-Luc - Tignousa funicular. The route first follows the Path of the Planets, a human-scale replica of the solar system. Shortly before the end of the theme trail, hikers reach one of the valley's historic jewels: the Hotel Weisshorn, built in 1882 on a panoramic site at an altitude of 2,337 metres. The hike continues south to the heights of the Val d'Anniviers and then into the Val de Zinal, where there is a magnificent view of the “Couronne Impériale”. The trail descends to Zinal, a picturesque village with many larch wood chalets, and the finishing point of the Sierre-Zinal race, also known as the "Course des cinq 4000". On this hike, follow the final stretch of this race, which is often described by participants as one of the most beautiful mountain races in the world.
Author’s recommendation
The Anniviers Liberté pass offers a 50% discount on the funicular and free travel on the PostBus as well as certain activities.
Author
Corrado Wyssen
Update: April 26, 2022
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Bec de nava, 2,429 m
Lowest point
Zinal, 1,661 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Forested/wild trail
5.4 km
Path
10.2 km
Road
0.5 km
Lift/cableway
0.1 km
Unknown
0 km
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
St-Luc (funicular) (2,183 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'613'237E 1'119'758N
DD
46.229134, 7.610222
DMS
46°13'44.9"N 7°36'36.8"E
UTM
32T 392831 5120445
w3w
///harder.overhear.incorrect
Destination
Zinal
Turn-by-turn directions
The trail begins at the top of the St-Luc funicular, at Tignousa (2,186 m). Follow the signs for the “Sentier des Planètes”, which leads high above the valley floor, roughly at the level of the treeline. The theme trail finishes about 1.5 km after the Hôtel Weisshorn (2,337 m).
The hike continues southwards – roughly level at first, and then descending gently as it enters the narrower Val de Zinal. About an hour from the hotel, the trail reaches the alpine pastures of Barneuza (2,211 m), overlooking the village and reservoir of Mottec.
From here, the trail continues southwards up the valley before embarking on a steep zig-zag descent to Zinal.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Train to Sierre, then postal bus to St-Luc (change at Vissoie). At end of walk, bus from Zinal to Sierre (change at Vissoie). Find 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 the PostBus to the start of the walk at St-Luc. At the end of the walk, take the bus from Zinal back to Vissoie.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'613'237E 1'119'758N
DD
46.229134, 7.610222
DMS
46°13'44.9"N 7°36'36.8"E
UTM
32T 392831 5120445
w3w
///harder.overhear.incorrect
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
The tourist office in St-Luc has got brochures and information material about hiking in the region.
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo maps 1:25’000: 1307 Vissoie and 1327 Evolène
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
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
16.2 km
Duration
5:00 h
Ascent
525 m
Descent
1,040 m
Highest point
2,429 m
Lowest point
1,661 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 4 Waypoints
- 4 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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Rating
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Photos from others