LogoExperience Valais!
Back
Plan a route here Copy route
Long Distance Hiking recommended route Multi-stage route

Tour of the Val d’Anniviers

Long Distance Hiking
Logo Valais/Wallis Promotion
Responsible for this content
 Valais/Wallis Promotion Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Hikers in Val d'Anniviers.
    Hikers in Val d'Anniviers.
    Photo: David Carlier, Valais/Wallis Promotion
Add comment
m 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 km
 This multi-day hike passes through the alpine villages of the Val d'Anniviers and offers a breathtaking view of the 4000m+ peaks that make up the “Couronne Impériale”.
Distance 77.2 km
28:12 h
4,974 m
4,662 m
2,856 m
1,000 m
The hike starts in the hamlet of Les Pontis and continues to Chandolin, one of the highest year-round inhabited villages in Europe. The panoramic trail then leads to the village of St-Luc, where the observatory offers an ideal view for stargazing at night. The second part of the hike follows the Sentier des Planètes to the historic Hotel Weisshorn and then down to the village of Zinal. The third stage leads from Zinal to Grimentz, a picturesque village known for its flower-filled chalets and glacier wine, via the Sorebois Pass and the Moiry reservoir. From Grimentz, the fourth part of the excursion follows the western flank of the Val d'Anniviers to Vercorin, allowing you to discover the cultural heritage of these two character-filled villages. The last section leads to the Réchy valley, the marshes of Ar du Tsan and Le Louché mountain lake. The return journey to Vercorin follows the historic 14th century bisse.

Author’s recommendation

Take advantage of the Pass Anniviers Liberté, which grants free travel on cable cars, gondolas, funiculars and post buses in the region.
Profile picture of Delia Inniger
Author
Delia Inniger
Update: April 26, 2022
Highest point
2,856 m
Lowest point
1,000 m

Track types

Forested/wild trail 57.98%Path 26.14%Road 8.36%Lift/cableway 5.15%Unknown 2.35%
Forested/wild trail
44.8 km
Path
20.2 km
Road
6.5 km
Lift/cableway
4 km
Unknown
1.8 km
Show elevation profile

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

Les Pontis (1,000 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'609'645E 1'123'239N
DD
46.260508, 7.563729
DMS
46°15'37.8"N 7°33'49.4"E
UTM
32T 389309 5123994
w3w 
///unique.amounting.vessel

Destination

Vercorin

Turn-by-turn directions

Discover the stages of Tour du Val d'Anniviers:  

  • 1st stage: Pontis - Chandolin - St-Luc
  • 2nd stage: St-Luc–Zinal
  • 3rd stage: Zinal–Grimentz
  • 4th stage: Grimentz – Vercorin
  • 5th stage: Vallon de Réchy - Mountain lake Le Louché

Note


all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Regular SBB trains to Sierre, then PostBus to Les Pontis bus stop.

Getting there

Motorway A9, exit 29 (Sierre-Est). Drive up towards the Val d'Anniviers.

Parking

Parking spaces in Vissoie.

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'609'645E 1'123'239N
DD
46.260508, 7.563729
DMS
46°15'37.8"N 7°33'49.4"E
UTM
32T 389309 5123994
w3w 
///unique.amounting.vessel
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

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

Similar routes nearby

 These suggestions were created automatically.

Questions and answers

Ask the first question

Would you like to the ask the author a question?

Rating

Write your first review

Help others by being the first to add a review.

Photos from others

Distance
77.2 km
Duration
28:12 h
Ascent
4,974 m
Descent
4,662 m
Highest point
2,856 m
Lowest point
1,000 m

Statistics

  • Content
  • Show images Hide images
Features
2D 3D
Maps and trails
  • 5 Stages
Hikes · Valais
Tour of the Val d’Anniviers: Pontis - Chandolin - St-Luc (stage 1)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 1
Distance 9.3 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 943 m
Descent 243 m

Panoramic hike high above the Val d’Anniviers through an idyllic hamlet and two of the valley’s most charming villages.

from Corrado Wyssen,   Valais/Wallis Promotion
Hikes · Valais
Tour of the Val d'Anniviers : the five 4,000 meter peak hike (stage 2)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 2
Distance 16.2 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 525 m
Descent 1,040 m

Scenic funicular ride, heavenly astronomical trail, historical hotel and glorious views of the “Couronne Impériale”  consisting of five 4,000-metre ...

from Corrado Wyssen,   Valais/Wallis Promotion
Hikes · Valais
Tour of the Val d’Anniviers: Zinal–Grimentz (stage 3)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3
Distance 14.4 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 1,195 m
Descent 1,270 m

A hike between two valleys: from the Val de Zinal over a pass to the Moiry dam and reservoir, followed by a descent of the wild Val de Moiry and ...

1
from Delia Inniger,   Valais/Wallis Promotion
Hikes · Valais
Tour of the Val d’Anniviers: Grimentz – Vercorin (stage 4)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 4
Distance 12.9 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 585 m
Descent 860 m

Panoramic trail on the western slopes overlooking the Val d’Anniviers, linking two of the valley’s most delightful villages: picturesque Grimentz ...

from Delia Inniger,   Valais/Wallis Promotion
Hikes · Chalais
Tour of the Val d'Anniviers: Vallon de Réchy - Louché mountain lake (stage 5)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 5
Distance 15.1 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 710 m
Descent 710 m

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. 

from Delia Inniger,   Valais/Wallis Promotion
Distance  km
Duration : h
Ascent  m
Descent  m
Highest point  m
Lowest point  m
Push the arrows to change the view