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.
The following destinations are sorted by travel time from Zinal, making it easy to plan your next mountain getaway. Check out the map to explore thousands of destinations and activities, reachable from any starting point in Switzerland.
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From the Moiry hut, go back on the path on which you arrived the day before. After a two-kilometre descent, when the path intersect, follow the direction of Fêta d'Août de Châteaupré and walk along the entire length of the lake below. A short ascent then takes you to the Sorebois pass, which is the route into the Zinal valley. Don’t miss the view of the Zinalrothorn, the Weisshorn and the Dent Blanche, some of the impressive 4000-metre peaks in the Val d'Anniviers. Cross the mountain pastures where black-nosed sheep graze and make your way through the rocks to Crevache. The path descends steeply for 1,200 metres to the valley, then follows the Navizence River directly to Zinal. This is the first night you not spent in a hut, so enjoy a good shower and visit this welcoming mountain village.
22.71km
755m
1910m
4h 40m
Maximum elevation: 2836m
Minimum elevation: 1671m
Difficulty: Hard
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valais.ch
Travel between rocky passes and intensely green valleys from Verbier to Zermatt, through larch forests and juniper bushes, across vast expanses and along icy blue glaciers. Be sure to observe the changes in landscape, language, cuisine and culture as you move through the valleys. This high altitude route for trail runners does not follow the most direct line from start to finish, but skirts the buttresses, choosing the most picturesque and practicable paths through the Valais in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Each leg finishes in a charming mountain village or in a hut if the route continues at high altitude.
308.24km18498m18537m69h 15mDifficulty: Hard
Minimum elevation: 688m
Maximum elevation: 3346m
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valais.ch
| Zinal, centre (08:33) | |
| 453 (1m) | |
| Zinal, Les Plats de la Lé (08:34) |
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 0mMaximum elevation: 1921m
Difficulty: Medium
Minimum elevation: 1001m
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valais.ch
| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (43m) | |
| Les Pontis (09:34) |
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
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valais.ch
The Grand Bisse de St-Luc has been recorded since 1593. Completely renovated in 2020, it starts from either the Achelli car park or the Bella-Tola postal stop. Head towards the centre of the village of St-Luc and the church, then follow the signs behind the village hall. Take the Tsarirre path for 200 metres, then the route de la Fortoûna for 400 metres, before forking off to the right and climbing for around 80 metres. From here, the tinkling bisse will lull you along its course through forests, meadows and mayens. On the way back, pass through the Prilet gîte, before crossing the old village of St-Luc and returning to the starting point of your loop.You can also extend your walk along the Bisse Roux, which will take you to the picturesque village of Ayer. From St-Luc, the 9.8-kilometre route takes around three hours to reach Ayer. From Ayer, you can take the post bus back to St-Luc.
8km345m2h 30mDifficulty: Medium
Landscape: Along the water,Along a Suone/Bisse
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valais.ch
| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (27m) | |
| Vissoie, poste (09:18) |
| Vissoie, poste (09:20) | |
| 454 (14m) | |
| St-Luc, Bella Tola (09:34) |
The Alpine Passes Trail strings together many of the most beautiful passes in the Graubunden and Valais Alps in 43 stages. One highlight follows another from the Greina Plateau to the passes and lake landscape at the foot of the Dents du Midi.
695km47100m49200mLandscape: Over a pass,With panoramic views
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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schweizmobil.ch
The hike begins at Hotel Weisshorn and follows the tracks of the Sierre-Zinal mountain run down to Grimentz. You hike below the Pointes de Nava on a scenic stretch of path. This is a winding descent through the forest to Grimentz, a typical Valais village with wooden houses darkened by the sun.
12km500m1250m4h 0mTour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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schweizmobil.ch
| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (15m) | |
| Ayer, anc. poste (09:06) |
The skilfully laid «bisses» irrigation channels are evidence of Valais history and culture. Fabulous flora along the way, the babbling water so soothing. The «Chemin des Bisses», a hike for all senses, follows the holy waters.
105km4700m4600mLandscape: Along the water,Onto an alp,With panoramic views
Tour published by:
SwitzerlandMobility
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schweizmobil.ch
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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schweizmobil.ch
| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (27m) | |
| Vissoie, poste (09:18) |
| Vissoie, poste (09:20) | |
| 452 (9m) | |
| St-Jean VS, village (09:29) |
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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schweizmobil.ch
| Zinal, centre (08:51) | |
| 453 (27m) | |
| Vissoie, poste (09:18) |
| Vissoie, poste (09:20) | |
| 452 (22m) | |
| Grimentz, télécabine (09:42) |
