The
Val d'Anniviers begins in Sierre, on the banks of the Rhône,
and ends at the foot of la Couronne Impériale and its famous
mountains, Weisshorn, Obergabelhorn, Zinalrothorn, Besso, Bishorn,
Dent-Blanche and Cervin. The floral meadows, hardwood and coniferous
forests, and the boulders and stony paths beneath you give
an idea of how the Alps must have been a million years ago.
Until
the end of the 19th century the people of Anniviers were nomads,
living in different places according to their seasonal work. The
area was ‘discovered’ in the 19th century and since
then the Val d’Anniviers with it's many old villages and
walking areas between 900
and 2000 metres, provide a wonderful mixture of solitude and adventure,
walking amongst high mountain scenery that
is sometimes rugged and wild, often serene
and peaceful, but never ordinary.
This
circular walk will allow you to discover one-by-one some spectacular
summits. Each day progress a little further into the heart
of this wild and unique mountain high mountain scenery you
uncover more of the secluded gems of this beautiful
valley as you discover an isolated lake
here, a little traditional wooden alpine village there , to arrive
finally at the foot of the Dent-Blanche.
Walking in the Val d'anniviers
Grade: Moderate (please se below) Waymarking : The trails are well waymarked Accommodation: Small hotels &Inns Meals: Dinner & breakfast each day 7 days/ 6 nights Holiday ref: BFW 1: Price: £550 p.p.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival at about 18 hrs at the hotel at Saint-Luc (1620 m). local bus from the railway station of Sierre.
Day 2 : Saint-Luc -Saint-Luc Circular
After your first night at Saint-Luc, a circular walk amongst alpine pasture and high rocky summits,to lac Illsee perched high at 2360 m. A magnificent start to your walking holiday.
8¾ mls/14km (7½mls/12km using funicular) - 6/5 hrs ;height gain 1000 m. Option of the funicular to overcome a steep climb.
Day 3 : Saint-Luc - Zinal (1675 m)
Walk to Zinal, a charming traditional village at the foot of the
Navizence valley, the starting point of many ascents into
the '4000m' Valaisans. You discover the remains
of the ancient walking trail from Sierre to Zinal giving breathtaking
panoramic views.
10 mls/16km (8¾/14 using funicular) - 6/5 hrs ; height gain 800 m. Option of taking funicular to make the route easier
Day 4 : Zinal
- Roc de la Vache (2 581 m) - Zinal . Circular
A superb walk to one of the classic gems at the foot of
the glaciers of Zinalrothorn (4221 m).through breathtaking
landscape of high mountains, summer snow covered slopes and panoramic
vistas. 9½ mls/ 15.2 - 6 hrs ; height gain 1000m.
Day 5 : Zinal
- Combe de Sorebois (2896 m) - Grimentz (1572
m)
Your walking route leads to Corne de Sorebois opening up unique
view of the whole of the valley. You continue over the crest
of Moiry. Where you discover why the valley has its name:
Anniviers is derived from the latin ad nives which means towards the snow. Arrive at the village of Grimentz, with its superbly preserved architectural heritage
in the heart of the old village.
10 mls/16km - 7 hrs ; height gain 1200 m.
Day 6 : Grimentz
- Roc d’Orzival (2816m) - La Brinta (2660 m)
- Grimentz
An outstanding walking trail in the heart of the glorious mountains.
Ascending first by telepherique to Bendolla (2130 m) you then
follow the mountain paths to reach the noted summit of Roc d'Orzival
at 2816m. where you are met by unbelievably beautiful scenery.
You make a gradual descent in the afternoon back to our hotel
in Grimentz.
10½ mls/ 17km. 6½ hrs ; height gain 850 m.
Day 7 : Grimentz - Saint-Luc
Another beautiful route taking you from village to village. You will walk through the little valley, past beautiful wooden chalets, the slender white bell tower of a little church, and everywhere glorious views of the high snow covered summits and foothills.
5 mls/8km - 4 hrs – height gain 450 m.
Day 8 : Depart after breakfast
Grade of Walk
Average if you use the telepheriques or funicular railways to avoid the steep climbs and long descents, more challenging if the whole walk is done on foot. You should be fit and used to walking in a variety of terrain. The routes are well way-marked.
Prices & Services Walking in Val d'Annivires Holiday ref: SA Price : £550(land price only)
Based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room.
Single supplement – please contact us
Cost includes :7 nights, bed & breakfast in local Hotels & Inns with en-suite (or private) facilities depending on availability; Walk Pack with maps & route notes Swiss scale 1/60000, accommodation directions, travel information to your destination ; Luggage transfer between hotels – please see check list for weight limitation on overnight luggage
Not included : Travel to and from Switzerland ; lunches – provisions can sometimes be purchased in the villages on a daily basis or from your hotel if ordered the previous night. Allow approx eu.11 p.p.
Personal accident insurance / holiday cancellation insurance. We consider these to be essential as your deposit is not returnable, nor the balance once it has been paid 6 weeks before the start of the walk
Travel
Nearest airport: Zurich Connecting travel: Lausernne -Sierre By Train: London(Paris)- Lausernne Sierre By car: You can safely leave your vehicle in the hotel car park and come back to it at the end of the walk
Full travel information will be included with your booking
Extra nights can be booked at any hotel
For further information contact ~ Celtic Trails Best British Walks ~ Information lines open 8.30am to 7.00pm
To Book telephone: Overseas - 0044 1600 860846 Telephone: UK - 0800 9707585
E-mail: info@celtrail.com or complete the enquiry form.
Celtic Trails, P.O.Box 11, Chepstow, NP16 6DZ, Wales, UK
