Discover the stunning alpine landscapes surrounding Zinal, all accessible by public transport. From gentle meadow walks to challenging mountain trails, the Val d'Anniviers offers a diverse range of hiking experiences for every level of adventurer.
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This hike starts at the top of the Zinal - Sorebois cable car, with a superb view of the Imperial Crown. The path climbs along steep slopes to reach the Sorebois pass, before descending into the Val de Moiry. Below, the Moiry dam holds back the turquoise waters of the lake, fed by the Moiry glacier, nestled at the bottom of the valley. Near the dam, a restaurant with a panoramic terrace, a via ferrata and guided tours of the interior of the dam await you. The second part of the hike is a long and beautiful descent through pastures and forests into the Val de Moiry to Grimentz.
14.36km
1195m
1270m
4h 30m
Minimum elevation: 1586m
Difficulty: Medium
Maximum elevation: 2856m
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This hike climbs through the forests of the Val d'Anniviers to traditional villages and ends in either Chandolin or St-Luc. The trail first follows the steep, wooded slopes of the valley. In Chandolin, it levels out for the second part of the hike to St-Luc. Perched at an altitude of 1,956 m. on a sunny south-facing slope, Chandolin is one of the highest villages in Europe, inhabited all year round. Ella Maillart, one of the great travellers of the 20thcentury, and famous photographer, writer and journalist, spent the last years of her life here. A permanent exhibition in an old chapel is dedicated to her. In St-Luc an astronomical observatory near the arrival of the funicular is open to the public. The village features many attractions, including a planetarium in an old 19thcentury barn, several working 18th century mills, a historical trail and a "bread trail".
9.33km943m267m4h 0m| Zinal, centre | |
| (24m) | |
| Vissoie, poste |
| Vissoie, poste | |
| (9m) | |
| Les Pontis |
This scenic circuit loops around the turquoise waters of the Lac de Moiry – not at the level of the lake, but a couple of hundred meters higher up, at an altitude of roughly 2,500 m. Hikers may encounter various different names for the trail including «Tour du Lac de Moiry 2500», «Tour du Lac 2500», «Haut Tour du Lac» and «Chemin 2500». At the far end of the lake, the trail drops down to cross the river La Gougra, which feeds the reservoir – and which is in turn fed by the Glacier de Moiry higher up the valley. The path snakes past the glacial lake of Lac de Châteaupré before scaling an impressive glacial moraine to return to the 2,500-metre level – this time on the western side of the valley. The start and finish point of the circuit is the crest of the Moiry dam. The reservoir it has created also collects water from neighbouring valleys via a network of tunnels before channeling it down to the Rhône valley, 1,722 vertical meters below. On the way the water passes through three hydroelectric power stations, which produce enough electricity to meet the annual needs of more than 120,000 homes. Close to the crest, the dam restaurant has a large sunny terrace looking out over the lake. Climbing enthusiasts can tackle the via ferrata that scales the cliffs just below the dam, revealing dramatic views of the lower valley and the arched curtain of concrete, 148 m high. Highlights Panoramic high trail through a dramatic alpine landscape sculpted by glaciers Moiry dam – guided visits, restaurant with sun terrace, via ferrata
13.36km805m805m4h 35m| Zinal, centre | |
| (35m) | |
| Moiry VS, barrage |
After three intensive legs in terms of distance and gradient, this fourth section offers a recovery day. Nonetheless, despite being a little shorter than the others, this route is still amazing. It begins and ends in comfortable huts at high altitude and crosses a whole range of landscapes. The trail takes you from the beige, moss green and coral tones of the ground around the Lac de Lona to the turquoise waters of the Lac de Moiry. On arriving in the Val d'Anniviers, it offers a splendid view of the amazing surrounding 4,000 m peaks. The patio of the Moiry hut is an ideal place to enjoy this panorama. Located at 2,825 meters above sea level, this is located directly next to the Moiry glacier. Don’t miss the sunset over the neighbouring peaks while you’re enjoying your evening meal.
16.53km759m916m3h 17mMaximum elevation: 2985m
Difficulty: Medium
Minimum elevation: 2251m
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valais.ch
| Zinal, centre | |
| (42m) | |
| Moiry VS, glacier |
The official starting point of this trail is in the village of St-Luc, but you can also choose to begin at Chandolin, Tignousa or Le Tsapé – which can be reached by public transport, funicular or chairlift respectively. As you follow this loop, with a vertical ascent of 1,081 metres, you will be following part of the course of the iconic Sierre-Zinal trail running race, which attracts more than 5,000 participants of all levels every year in August. The route leads through villages and forests and across alpine pastures, in sight of the valley’s famous “Imperial Crown” of 4,000-metre peaks; it also takes in the fascinating Planets Trail. Up at the Pas de l’Illsee, where the French- and German-speaking regions of Valais meet, follow the trail of the Chenegouga, legendary creatures of the Val d’Anniviers that produce a hell of a din!
16.77km1081m1081m3h 42mMaximum elevation: 2544m
Difficulty: Medium
Minimum elevation: 1654m
| Zinal, centre | |
| (26m) | |
| Vissoie, poste |
| Vissoie, poste | |
| (22m) | |
| Chandolin, Les Litettes |
The around 500-year-old suone (irrigation channel) «Bisse des Sarrasin» and its 17 information panels are of great historical and technical interest. The route then leads via the «Grand Bisse de St-Jean» suone to the typical Valais village of Grimentz.
17km900m680m5h 25mTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Zinal, centre | |
| (13m) | |
| Grimentz, place du Mélèze |
There is only one direction for this stage: uphill. The trail first zigzags from Grimentz to Bendolla, then it runs parallel to the chairlift for a short while as far as Les Crêts. It continues past Lac de Lona over the pass of the same name and then up to the highest hut on this route.
10km1500m90m4h 40mTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Zinal, centre | |
| (16m) | |
| Grimentz, télécabine |
High-altitude trail around the lake of Moiry at 2,500 m.a.s.l. The hike through the spectacular alpine landscapes shaped by glaciers promises beautiful views of the dam with its lake, the wild Moiry valley at the end of the Val d'Anniviers, and the glittering Moiry glacier.
14km840m840m4h 45m
Landscape: Along the water
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Zinal, centre | |
| (35m) | |
| Moiry VS, barrage |
After Nax, there are several water channels next to the path. Along the slope, the trail enters into the Val de Réchy. At the point where the Bisse de Vercorin draws its water, the trail turns and continues through forests and over alps. The stage ends in Vercorin with its historic village centre built around the church.
17km760m700m5h 10mLandscape: Along the water,With panoramic views
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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| Zinal, centre | |
| (24m) | |
| Vissoie, poste |
| Vissoie, poste | |
| (25m) | |
| Vercorin, poste |
Sion is surrounded by a sea of vineyards that laps against the slopes of the two rocky outcrops of Valère (also known as Valeria) and Tourbillon, each crowned with castles. The terraces of grapevines in the first section of this walk are among the steepest in the world. The route takes you along a picturesque old irrigation channel, known as a “Suone”, and through winemaking villages where you can enjoy tasting opportunities.
19km720m460m5h 15mLandscape: Through a vineyard
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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schweizmobil.ch
| Zinal, centre | |
| (26m) | |
| Vissoie, poste |
| Vissoie, poste | |
| (33m) | |
| Sierre/Siders, gare routière |
| Sierre/Siders (funi) | |
| (3m) | |
| Venthône |
Maximum elevation: 1921m
Difficulty: Medium
Minimum elevation: 1001m
Maximum elevation: 2594m
Minimum elevation: 2249m
Difficulty: Medium
Learn more on
valais.ch
Learn more on
valais.ch
Learn more on
valais.ch
