recommended route
Stage 5
Tour of the Val d'Anniviers: Vallon de Réchy - Louché mountain lake (stage 5)
Hikes
· Chalais
-
Mountain lake Le Louché above VercorinPhoto: Pascal Gertschen, Valais/Wallis Promotion
Varied hike starting with a scenic gondola ride to Crêt du Midi. Trail leads into the magnificent Vallon de Réchy and loops up to "Le Louché" lake.
moderate
Distance 15.1 km
5:00 h
710 m
710 m
2,577 m
2,176 m
Located between the Val d'Hérens and the Val d'Anniviers, the Réchy valley is a veritable gem of which the upper part is completely free of roads and buildings. The starting point of the trail is at Crêt-du-Midi. Enjoy the panorama of the Rhone Valley from the cable car that connects Vercorin. From here, the path follows the eastern side of the valley, offering a magnificent view of its forests, meadows and clearings. This level ends on a rock barrier that La Rèche crosses in the tumult of a magnificent waterfall. The next level, the middle valley, is dominated by the Ar du Tsan, a large marshy basin where the river meanders. Continue up the valley to the upper valley and the mountain lake of Louché, a site of absolute tranquillity and a good chance of wildlife sightings. On the way down, the route passes through the eastern side of the valley and finally reaches the Crêt-du-Midi by the same route.
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
Delia Inniger
Update: April 26, 2022
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Le Louché, 2,577 m
Lowest point
Vercorin, 2,176 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Forested/wild trail
8.5 km
Path
6.6 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
View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility:
More information:
Start
Crêt du Midi (gondola summit) (2,321 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'607'008E 1'119'772N
DD
46.229352, 7.529487
DMS
46°13'45.7"N 7°31'46.2"E
UTM
32T 386606 5120581
w3w
///gearbox.reseller.observers
Destination
Crêt du Midi (gondola summit)
Turn-by-turn directions
From the top of the cable car at Crêt-du-Midi, the path climbs slightly up the eastern side of the valley. It skirts the marshes of the Ar du Tsan from the west and passes near a waterfall.
The ascent continues along a picturesque pond, the Gouille de Potoc, before reaching the banks of the Lac du Louché, the highest point of the hike.
On the way down, the path takes another route along the eastern side of the valley to reach Ar du Tsan. From here, take the same road that leads to the Crêt-du-Midi.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Take the train to Sierre, then the bus to Vercorin, or the bus from Sierre to Chalais then the cable car from Chalais to Vercorin. Take the cable car from Vercorin to Crêt-du-Midi. All information about the timetable is available on www.cff.ch.Getting there
Motorway A9, exit 28 (Sierre-ouest) Follow the signs to "Vercorin".Parking
Parking at the Vercorin cable car. Follow the signs for parking in Vercorin.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'607'008E 1'119'772N
DD
46.229352, 7.529487
DMS
46°13'45.7"N 7°31'46.2"E
UTM
32T 386606 5120581
w3w
///gearbox.reseller.observers
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Leaflet on the valley at local tourist offices
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo maps 1:25’000: 1307 Vissoie / 1287 Sierre
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
15.1 km
Duration
5:00 h
Ascent
710 m
Descent
710 m
Highest point
2,577 m
Lowest point
2,176 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 1 Waypoints
- 1 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
Rating
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Photos from others