Mountain Walking in the Val dŽAnniviers, Switzerland

The Val dŽAnniviers is a picturesque mountain valley in the French speaking part of the Swiss Alps. The valley runs southwards from the town of Sierre in the Rhone valley and ends below the snow covered flanks of the Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Ober Gabelhorn and Dent Blanche all of which rise majestically above 4000m. Along the valley floor are the villages of Vissoie and St. Luc, Grimentz, Ayer and finally Zinal. In the village of St. Luc there is the Gite du Prilet and in Zinal there is a campsite together with the usual shopping facilities, hotels, bank and tourist information. Left, unpacking the car and making camp in fine weather on the campsite in Zinal. Below, the view towards the end of the valley from near the campsite. The rocky peak visible is Besso at 3668m.

The three pictures below show parts of the circuit around the Pointes de Nava, a terrific walk on easy footpaths that begins with a fairly steep ascent from behind the Gite in St. Luc along the Torrent des Moulins before following the valley gently to the Bella Vouarda col at 2621m. From the col the footpath skirts the hillside back towards the starting point with views over the d'Anniviers valley. Before the final descent to St. Luc you pass the grand Hotel Weisshorn. The route is 13km with 1040m of ascent and descent which takes about six and a half hours at a reasonably relaxing pace.

Left, the Pointes de Nava seen from the slopes above the Chalet Blanc en route to the Lac de  l'Armina. The circuit follows the Tsa du Touno valley to the left of the Pointes and returns along the rightward side overlooking the Val d'Anniviers. The cream coloured Hotel Weisshorn can just be seen in the right of the photograph.

Above, on the summit of Bella Tolla (3025m). This peak has been visited since the late 1800's and is regarded by many as the best viewpoint in the Valais. The peak can appear snow covered from a distance due to the light chalk that forms the summit cone. In my opinion, Bella Tolla is best approached by a cunning route that offers peace and quiet compared to the popular direct route to the summit. From the Tignousa furnicular in St. Luc, follow the Chemin des Planetes (the path of the planets) before breaking off up the grassy hillside past the Chalet Blanc and continuing towards the Meidpass. Stop to enjoy the tranquility by the Lac de l'Armina before heading northwards on a faint path that leads to the Pas de Boeuf. From here the summit of Bella Tolla is only a short distance away. The final section towards the summit is quite loose in places but you are rewarded with a fine panorama.

Above, the narrow ridge connecting Bella Tolla with the slightly lower top of Rothorn at 2998m. On the path that follows the very crest of the ridge there are several interesting rock towers that have to be negotiated as seen above. The Rothorn is equipped with a circular viewing platform that pinpoints the surrounding landmarks. The usual ascent/descent route is via the obvious path joining the middle of the ridge between the two tops. On a sunny day it is worth calling by the Cabane Bella Tolla for cold refreshments on the way down. The cabane is just 10 minutes above the furnicular station at Tignousa.

Right, the shapely peak of Dent Blanche rising above the head of the Val de Moiry, the righthand branch of the upper Val d'Anniviers. The view here was photographed a few minutes walk from the top of the Bendolla cable car station at just over 2100m. The cableway supports the ski area in winter and rises above the traditional wooden buildings of the town of Grimentz. The town is certainly worth a visit in its own right. Below, a Stemless Carline Thistle which is abundant on the middle mountain slopes in the valley.

An excellent circular walk can be made from the Bendola cableway southwards around the Pointe de Lona and then westwards to the Pas de Lona which affords views to Mont Blanc on a clear day. From the pass there is a short ascent to the Cabane des Becs de Bosson and then one contours the steep slopes of the Becs de Bosson to the narrow col on its east ridge at 2942m. From the col, a rough descent a first, leads to pleasant walking through varied rock scenery and then to grassy slopes leading back to the cableway. Below, Sasseneire (3254m) from the pastures of Lona. The Pas de Lona is just out of shot on the right. Below left, Field Gentian found in alpine calcareous meadows almost in full bloom.

Below, looking eastwards to the Bishorn and Weisshorn from the descent from the Col des Becs de Bosson.

It is possible to shart and finish many walks from the town of Zinal. From the mountain walks in this part of the valley you certainly feel the closeness of the high mountains. It appears that the tops are only an arms length away. A excellent walk for views is the traverse from the Sorebois at 2438m, which can be reached from the town centre via the cablecar, to the Petit Mountet hut at the very head of the valley by the morrains of the Glacier de Zinal. The path contours the hillside for 5km before descending to the hut at 2142m. Over its length the views are stunning as you can see on the left, looking across to the west face of the Weisshorn.

If you are able to spend a night at the Cabane du Petite Mountet then the walk from there that ascends behind the hut and traverses high on the hillside above the morrains of the Zinal glacier is well worth it. On one of the occasions that I have walked the route it had snowed overnight. Below you can see the amazing view across the valley to Besso and further right of this view you are able to see the glacier basin surrounded by 4000 metre peaks with Obel Gabelhorn in the centre.

From the Petit Mountet the footpath returns along the valley floor where you pass close to the glacial torrent of La Navisence, and then further down, into the flat open meadows for the final 3km to Zinal. Here there is an impressive collection of boulders which are a magnet for any climbers who know about them. Soon you pass a bridge and on the opposite bank of the river there is a purpose built barbeque area that is perfect for family or group outings. Looking back, you have an excellent view of Besso.

There are many places in the Alps where passages of steeper terrain are protected with various fixed equipment, for example, with chains, ladders or thick rope. For the inexperienced, fixed equipment should be approached with care as a slip or fall on this ground could have very serious consequencies. With a qualified IML or mountain guide, they will most likely protect you with a rope. A few km beyond Zinal you can choose to follow a path that takes you up through the Pas du Chasseur. The trail is marked as difficult and would require nerve in wet weather. There are fixed chains protecting roughly 80m of steep rocky ground. On the right you can see me leading off up the first section of chain. The Pas du Chasseur can be taken on a 7km circular walk from Zinal with a return via Le Chiesso and the path to the Petit Mountet, or as part of the approach to the Cabane dŽAr Pitetta that sits high under the west face of the Weisshorn.

Right, above the Lac dŽArpitetta on the approach to the Cabane dŽAr Pitetta which sits at 2786m in the magnificent surrounds of glaciers and 4000m peaks. From here there is an almost birds eye view of Besso. Below, enjoying the sunshine on the terrace.

Left, in the cozy dining room at the cabane. There is space for 30 in two dormitories upstairs.

Left, Alpine Choughs near the cabane and right, leaving next morning heading for the Col de Milon.

Above, approaching the Col de Milon (2990m) along a crest of morrains formed by the now receeded left hand snout of the Glacier du Weisshorn. Right, descending the short steep section of rocky ground on the north side of the small col. Here there are fixed chains to aid descent. From the col, it is possible to descend all the way to Zinal or to follow the path northwards to join the trail to the Cabane de Tracuit seen below.

The Cabane de Tracuit is one of the highest huts in the Alps and sits perched on the edge of a rocky precipice at 3256m. Just near the cabane, the Turtmann glacier that flows down from the Bishorn, just sticks its snout out over the precipice that overlooks the Val dŽAnniviers. The Bishorn is one of the most straight forward 4000m peaks, but the effort required is substantial as there is no mechanical assisstance to be found on the 1600m of ascent to the hut. Below, evening light pierces the heavy clouds and illuminates the pastures some 700m below. The town of Zinal is a further 900m lower.

After a hearty 3 course meal in the cabane and a good nights sleep you will be refreshed for the long descent. The middle section of the descent is quite pleasant, however, the final third below the Roche de la Vache is quite punnishing in places. Below, a section of steep pathway with Zinal in the distance and left, on easier ground with the Roche de la Vache (2581m) behind.

Above, morning light falling on Sasseneire (3254m) above an inversion from the Cabane de Moiry at 2825m and below, the final rays of sunshine on a perfect evening from the Cabane des Becs de Bosson.

Selected pictures courtesy of Jesper Bevensee.

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