HIKING TOUR OF THE VAL D’

TOURVALDANNIVIERS.CH e NGLISH

WOWWeLCOMe. ! REaDY TO MaKE MEMORIES? Hé!

Let's stay in touch: Find us on social media to discover, revisit and share all the things that make our region so exciting. BeTWeeN TRANQUILLITY aND WONDER

- THE PERFECT BALANCE -

Walk at your own pace, follow the signs, and picnic when and where ever you want. Sleep somewhere different every night and marvel at the extraordinary scenery of this region in Central .

The traditional circuit leads you from via, in order, / St-Luc, , and Vercorin and back to Sierre. Each day’s walk is around 5 hours. On the last day, there is the option of the Vallon de Réchy or the Vineyard Trail leading from Sierre to .

Each stage can be done separately if you wish to shorten your stay. It is also interesting to spend two nights in each resort to take advantage of what is on offer locally. 4

HIKING TOUR OF THe VAL D’ANNIVIeRS

- VALID FROM MID-JUNE TO MID-OCTOBER* -

THe TRAIL This description was produced for A symbol indicates the route along the whole a standard 6 night tour, we suggest length of the trail. It can be done without a you adapt it to suit your own programme. guide. So you are free to go at your own pace and choose your own picnic spots and stop- • From 2 nights in a hotel, gîte or ping points to admire the panoramas and mountain hut: Sierre, Salgesch / landscapes which reveal themselves along St-Luc/Chandolin / Zinal / Grimentz / the way. In addition the trail is highlighted Vercorin / Sierre, Salgesch or Vercorin on the hikers’ map which will be provided • Full board (breakfast, picnic lunch on arrival. and supper) • Transport of one piece of luggage per LUGGAGe person (max 20 kg) from one stage to Apart from your day pack, which you will the next (except to mountain huts) take with you along the whole journey, your • 2 post bus tickets per person luggage will automatically be transported • 1 Val d’Anniviers hiking map from one hotel to the next. One piece of • Anniviers Liberté Pass luggage (max 20 kg) is allowed per person. Luggage transport is not provided to moun- tain huts.

aCCOMMODaTION There is a wide range of accommodation for you to choose from: 1 to 4-star hotels, gîtes and cabins. You will be sent a selection to suit your preferences on request. Let us know what you’re looking for – we’re here

* depending on opening dates of establishments to help! and weather conditions Make the most of our region and everything it has to offer: we’ll take good care of you and help you fulfil your holiday dreams.

MeALS Hé! Breakfast, supper and picnic are provided in all types of accommodation. ANNIVIeRS TRaNSPORT It is possible for you to shorten certain LIBeRTé PASS stages by using the free public transport and mountain lifts, thanks to the Anniviers Liberté Pass. What’s more, 2 transport vouchers per person for the post bus are included for the following routes: Sierre-Les From June to October, the Pontis and Vercorin/Chalais/-Sierre. Anniviers Liberté Pass provides access to more than 20 activities ACCeSS and public transport services By car: in the Val d’Anniviers Gondola A special price is offered to clients of the Val lift, funicular railway, chair lift d’Anniviers Tour in the long-term car park to and cable car services the south of the Sierre/Siders train station. • Guided tours of all kinds By train: • Swimming pools Sierre is on the line from Genève, Lausanne, • Mini-golf Zürich, Bern or Brig. More information on • Tennis courts timetables is available at • Price reduction for certain www.cff.ch services and attractions • And more!

www.anniviers-liberte.ch

5 MONTMONT RROSeOSe BReITHORBReITHORN CeCeRRVVIN ()(MATTeRHORN) 6 46344634 m 4164 m 44478478 m DDeNTeNT DD’HéReNS’HéReNS ZINaLROTHORZINaLROTHORN 44171171 m WeISSHOReISSHORN OBOB. GAGABeLHORNBeLHORN 4221 m 45064506 m 4063 m DDeNTeNT BLANCHBLANCHe 43435757 m

CORNeCORNe DeDe SSOReBOIOReBOIS 2896 m BeCSBeCS DeDe BBOSSONOSSON Lac des Dix 31493149 m Lac de Moirryy Le TOÛNOTOÛNO 2249 m 30301717 m ZINaL 1675 m Lac de Lona BeLLABeLLA TTOLAOLA 3025 m GRIMeNTZ Lac du LouchLouLouchéé 1564 m VAL D’HÉRENSD’ HÉ RE LALA BReNTABReNTAZ NS L 2660 m TA NNTA ILLHORNILLHORN STST-LULUC 27172717 m 1655 m TURTMANNTALTURTMA CRêTCRêT DU MIDIM Illsee CHaNDOLINCHaNDOLIN 2332 m 19201920 m 1204 m S VALLON DE RÉCHYRÉ

ERS I

RÉ

CCH LeS PONTIS Y VAL D’ANNIVIERD’ANNIV 1001 m VeVeRCORINRCORIN 11320320 m ILLGRABEN

ZÜRICHZÜRIZÜZÜR CHH / MIMMILANOLANO GENÈVE

CHaLaISCHaLaIS GRÔNGRÔNe CHIPPIS 552121 m 513 m 532532 m

ES Le RhônRhônee PFYNFINGESPFYNFINGE

SIeRRSIeRRe 533533 m

VeYRASeYRAS SALGeSCHSALGeSCH CRANSMONTANA 647 m 581581 m

MIèGeMIèGe VeVeNTHÔNeNTHÔNe 702702 m 799799 m MONTMONT ROSeROSe BReITHORBReITHORN CeCeRRVVIN (MATTeRHORN)(MATTeRHORN) 46344634 m 4164 m 44478478 m DDeNTeNT DD’HéReNS’HéReNS ZINaLROTHORZINaLROTHORN 44171171 m WeISSHOReISSHORN OBOB. GAGABeLHORNBeLHORN 4221 m 45064506 m 4063 m DDeNTeNT BLANCHBLANCHe 43435757 m

CORNeCORNe DDee SSOReBOIOReBOIS 2896 m BeCSBeCS DeDe BBOSSONOSSON Lac des Dix 31493149 m Lac de Moirryy Le TOÛNOTOÛNO 2249 m 30301717 m ZINaL 1675 m Lac de Lona BeLLABeLLA TTOLAOLA 3025 m GRIMeNTZ Lac du LouchLouLouchéé 1564 m VAL D’HÉRENSD’ HÉ RE LALA BReNTABReNTAZ NS L 2660 m TA NNTA ILLHORNILLHORN STST-LULUC 27172717 m 1655 m TURTMANNTALTURTMA CRêTCRêT DU MIDIM Illsee CHaNDOLINCHaNDOLIN 2332 m 19201920 m VISSOIe 1204 m S VALLON DE RÉCHYRÉ

ERS I

RÉ

CCH LeS PONTIS Y VAL D’ANNIVIERD’ANNIV 1001 m VeVeRCORINRCORIN 11320320 m Ingénierie SA www.geomatic.ch 05/2013 / GEOMATIC Swissgeo© ILLGRABEN

ZÜRICHZÜRIZÜZÜR CHH / MIMMILANOLANO GENÈVE

CHaLaISCHaLaIS GRÔNGRÔNe CHIPPIS 521521 m 513 m 535322 m

ES Le RhônRhônee PFYNFINGESPFYNFINGE

SISIeRReRRe 533533 m

VeYRASeYRAS SALGeSCHSALGeSCH CRANSMONTANA 7 647 m 581581 m

MIMIèGeèGe VeVeNTHÔNeNTHÔNe 702702 m 799799 m 8

NaTURe aT ITS BEST AND A LOVeLY SUNNY eNVIRONMeNT

- ARRIVAL IN SIERRE - Lac de Géronde, Sierre

ARRIVAL IN SIeRRe, SALGeSCH DISCOVERIeS AND AND SURROUNDINGS SUGGeSTIONS

The region of Sierre, Salgesch and the sur- At the heart of Valais, the Pfyn-Finges na- rounding area is located on the right bank ture park is the pride of the region. It was of the river Rhône, enjoying an exceptional declared a “Regional Nature Park of National amount of sunshine, it is commonly nick- Importance” owing to its exceptional bio- named “Cité du Soleil“ or “Sierre l’agréable“. diversity. The abundance of vineyards and the excep- tional bouquet of its wines is explained by Teeming with life, the park offers hikers the combination of alluvial soil and gener- adventure and an authentic experience. ous sunshine. European oenologists have come to consider Valais as an authentic conservatory in matters of viticulture.

BRIG

Tourist Oce

SBB Train Station

Parkings “Hiking Tour of the Anniviers“

PostBus Station

SION

9 10

SIeRRe/SALGeSCH TO ST-LUC - STAGE 1 -

From Sierre you have two possibilities: holds some nice surprises (fauna and flora). Please note that this is only recommended A Sierre > Les Pontis area known as for good hikers. From Ponchet a wide forest “Fribougze“ (by bus) then St-Luc via road leads you towards Chandolin (about 1 Chandolin on foot ½ hours). Don’t miss the look-out point over B Sierre > Finges (on foot or by bus) l’Illgraben, an erosion site which is unique in then St-Luc via Chandolin on foot Europe. It is said that it is the most beautiful via the chapelle de St-Antoine and immense amphitheatre of rock resulting from the collapse of the mountain due to erosion. A Sierre > Les Pontis by bus, From Chandolin (2000 m) 4 , two sugges- then St-Luc via Chandolin on foot tions of routes to reach St-Luc (1655 m) 5 : • Either from below, crossing the village From Sierre station (542 m), the bus takes of Chandolin, then the spots know as La you up the Val d’Anniviers road. After a few Toueille and Lebing (about 1 ½ hours) hairpin bends and then passing into the • Or by the high route, following the trail valley’s gorges, you get off the bus at the Pontis of the Sierre-Zinal race which leads you bus stop, in the area known as “Fribougze“ through the cool of the pine forest to- (1001 m) 1 . After an hour’s hike 1 hour up a wards Tignousa, top of the funicular steepish slope you discover a little corner of (2186 m and 1 ¼ hours). Here we recom- paradise, Soussillon (1388m) 2 . The climb mend you take the funicular which will continues for about another 30 minutes. Then take you down to St-Luc (1655 m) in 7 you’ll reach Chandolin from below (about 1 minutes, but if you prefer you can also hour 50 mins) or get to the Ponchet pasture reach St-Luc on foot by the walking trail (1950 m and about 2 hour) 3 . If you decide (about 1 ½ hours) or down the ski piste to go by Ponchet the route is pretty wild and (about 1 hour). STAGe 1

Difference in height 943 m , 243 m

Altitude min 1005 m, max 2077 m

A Walk about a 5 hour B about 6 ½ hour

m 4 3 2100 5 1800 2 1500

1200 1

900

600 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 km

B pasture (1950 m) 3 , an open window on the Sierre > Finges then St-Luc via Val d’Anniviers. From Ponchet a wide forest Chandolin on foot via the chapelle road leads you towards Chandolin (about 1 ½ de St-Antoine hours) 4 . Don’t miss the look-out point over l’Illgraben, an erosion site which is unique To get to Finges or creux de Chippis (565 m), in Europe. It is said that it is the most beau- you can take the Postbus or get there on tiful and immense amphitheatre of rock foot (about an hour from the station). The resulting from the collapse of the mountain path starts about 100 m after the rounda- due to erosion. From Chandolin, see the bout where you turn up the Val d’Annivi- previous stage. ers road, follow Chapelle de St-Antoine. The steep and winding trail follows the Stations of the Cross leading you to the Chapelle de TO DISCOVeR IN SIeRRe St- Antoine (989 m and about 45 mins.) Don’t • Vineyard Trail forget to ring the bell here, it will bring you • Château de Villa good luck! The climb continues towards • Rilke Museum Plan Palet (1146 m and about 45 mins.) then towards la forêt du Couquelle. The climb TO DISCOVeR IN CHANDOLIN is pretty tough, but rich in surprises. You • Village of Sousillon might even come across a deer or chamois! • Ponchet pasture After about 2 hours you reach the Ponchet

11 12

ST-LUC TO ZINaL - STAGE 2 - STAGe 2 Planets trail, St-Luc

Difference in height 347 m , 848 m

Altitude min 1663 m, max 2424 m

Walk about 5 ½ hours

m

3 4 2400 1 2 5 2200

2000

1800 6

1600 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 km

From St-Luc, we recommend you head up to you enjoy your food, don’t miss the famous Tignousa (2186 m) 1 on the funicular. From “tarte aux myrtilles“. The outer space voyage there, there is a splendid view of the Impe- continues towards the last planet in the so- rial crown, including, amongst others, the lar system, Pluto. Don’t miss it, after about Matterhorn and the . The OFXB 20 minutes walk, at the foot of the path 4 . observatory offers visits which allow you to observe the sun. The Hotel , on This agreeable walk continues towards Bella the fi rst leg of this hike, is also a wonderful Lé (1 hour) and then onto the Barneuza pas- view point. To get to it, the solar system rep- tures (2211 m and 1 hour) 5 . The landscapes resented on the Planetary Trail is a fun way begin to change and the descent to Zinal is to lead you there. just around the corner. Reckon on 45 min- utes of very steep descent from the heights Heavenly bodies apart, you pass by the of Zinal 6 . Rouaz pasture (Chalet Blanc 2179 m and 20 minutes) 2 where Saturn and its rings take cover. At Chiesso (2201 m and 30 mins.) the TO DISCOVeR IN ST-LUC climb starts up to the Hotel Weisshorn. • OFXB Observatory • Planetary Trail After about 30 minutes you reach the 19th • Hotel Weisshorn (historic hotel) century English style hotel (2337 m) 3 . If • Gîte du Prilett

13 14

ZINAL TO GRIMeNTZ - STAGE 3 - STAGe 3 Moiry glacier, lake and dam

Difference in height 422 m , 1270 m

Altitude min 1586 m, max 2856 m

Walk about 5 hours

m 2 2900

2700 1 2500 3 2300

2100

1900

1700 4

1500 0 4 6 8 10 12 14 km

During summer 2020, it will not be possible above the ocean. The walk down to the lake to travel from Zinal to Sorebois with the ca- takes about 1 hour. ble car (due to construction work on a new cable car system). It will therefore be neces- Cross the impressive wall of the dam sary to climb up by foot from Zinal. Follow (2250 m) 3 to reach the path that will the river Navizence (1653m) for 15 minutes lead you towards Grimentz (1564 m and then take the winding track which leads you 2 hours) following the Gougra stream 4 . to Sorebois 1 via the Fêta d’Août (2257m This section is also used by the courageous and 2 hours). If need be, you can shorten the mountain bikers of the Grand Raid (Verbier- descent by taking the cable car (2692m) to Grimentz) race every year in mid-August. Grimentz (summer 2020: route completely covered by the Pass Anniviers Liberté). TO DISCOVeR IN ZINAL When you reach the col de Sorebois (2835 m) • Old dwelling 2 , your eyes will light up at the dramatic • Old copper mines at La Lée view down onto the Moiry dam and its • Cabane du Petit-Mountet Caribbean blue waters rippling at 2250 m

15 16

GRIMeNTZ TO VeRCORIN - STAGE 4 - STAGe 4 Lac des Autannes, Grimentz

Difference in height 585 m , 860 m

Altitude min 1317 m, max 2147 m

Walk about 5 hours

m 2 2100

1900

1700 1

1500 3

1300 2 4 6 8 10 12 km

From the gondola departure station (1518 m) • or continue towards the Tracuit pasture 1 , the path across the pastures follows the (1898 m and 45 minutes) then Sigeroulaz route of the gondola (1719 m and 25 minutes) (1861 m and 30 minutes) and eventually then uses the road that leads to the high on to Vercorin (1342 m et 01h15) 3 . mountain pastures. After 45 minutes, in the area known as “Le Chèquet” 2 , follow the signs to the alpage d’Orzival. The path leads TO DISCOVeR IN GRIMeNTZ you through a fragrant larch forest then • Traverse of a herd of fighting cows opens up onto the Orzival pasture (2100 m). • Guided visit of the village At this point you have two possibilities: and glacier wine • either hike up towards La Brinta (2601 m • Raclette on a wood fire at and 1 ½ hours) then continue along the Restaurant de Moiry ridge in the direction of Crêt du Midi (2331 • Via Ferrata m 45 minutes) then go down by gondola • Cabane de Moiry or on foot to Vercorin (1342 m and about • Moiry dam and glacier 2 ¼ hours) • Restaurant du Lac de Moiry

17 18

VeRCORIN AND SURROUNDING AReA - STAGE 5 -

A Vallon de Réchy and lac du Louché

To discover the natural reserve of the Vallon de Réchy, we recommend you use the moun- tain lifts to get to the Crêt du Midi (2331 m) 1 , the ideal departure point for this hike, rich in things to discover. There are two ways to get to l’Ar du Tsan (2200 m): • by the high route through a fresh and hu- mid forest (about 1 hour 15 mins) • or by following the forest trail (about 1 hour 15 mins).

Once at l’Ar du Tsan 2 , the view over the Rhône valley is magnifi cent. This plateau also has a strange particularity: the meanders which sculpt the marshland with amber colours and winding patterns. From this point the lac du Louché at 2567 m 3 is about 1 ½ hours. Along this delightful STAGe 5 Vallon de Réchy, Vercorin

Difference in height 1416 m , 1415 m

Altitude min 1314 m, max 2574 m

A Walk about 7 hours B about 4 hours round trip m 3 2700 1 VeRCORIN AND 2 2400

2100 SURROUNDING 4 1800 5 AReA 1500 - STAGE 5 - 1200

900 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 km

walk you can discover a weath of rare flora, and eventually the Refuge du Bisse (1643 like for example, the Linegrettes, small m) with a magnifi cent panorama over the flowers with cotton pompoms which grow Rhône valley and an impressive view of the in puddles. On the way back, you can follow waterfall which falls 400 m from higher the path on the other side via the Gouille de up on l’Ar du Tsan. To return to Sierre, we Potoc (2468 m) and la Fâche which gives you recommend you use the post car as the a commanding view down over l’Ar du Tsan path leading down is very steep. (about 1 ¼ hours). To get back to Vercorin, a steep path which follows the waterfall leads you to the refuge du bisse (1643 m 1 hour) 4 . TO DISCOVeR IN VeRCORIN From there, you just have to follow the bisse • Vallon de Réchy (old irrigation stream) which guides you to • Refuge du bisse and the rut Vercorin (1320 m and 1 ½ hours) 5 . (in October) • Adventure Forest • Arche des Crétillons, petting farm B Refuge du Bisse

From Vercorin (1320 m), a small escape to the Vallon de Réchy will give you the op- portunity to discover the bisse de Vercorin

19 NeeD HeLP OR INFO?

Anniviers Tourisme +41 27 476 16 00 CP 38, 3961 Vissoie [email protected] Valais – www.valdanniviers.ch