Tour du Val d’Anniviers: Grimentz – Vercorin (Stage 4)
Grimentz
-2/8°
Panoramic hike along the western slopes of the Val d’Anniviers, connecting two of the valley’s most beautiful villages: the picturesque Grimentz and the artistic Vercorin.
Difficulty
IntermediateLength
12.93 kmDuration
4:30 h
Description
The amazing diversity of Val d’Anniviers is revealed on this high-level hiking trail between the two villages of Grimentz and Vercorin. Grimentz is located almost exactly in the middle of Valais and is characterized by its old wooden houses and the surrounding peaks. Vercorin, meanwhile, is situated on a sunny plateau above the Rhone valley, offering good views up and down the valley.
The panoramic hike between the villages follows the western flank of Val d’Anniviers. At the beginning and end, there are steep climbs and descents, but in between, the hike pleasantly follows above the tree line with great views. You cross alpine pastures, flower-covered meadows, and fragrant forests with good chances to observe wildlife.
The two villages celebrate their culture and heritage very differently. Grimentz, for example, has created themed trails covering topics from geraniums, local legends, wildlife to the village’s history. Visitors also have the opportunity to bake their own traditional rye bread, taste local glacier wine in a 16th-century building, and visit a functioning water mill.
Vercorin offers a selection of art galleries and museums: one is dedicated to the artist Edouard Vallet, who lived in Vercorin for several years. Annual and very popular events include R&Art, a contemporary art exhibition, and the Verco Jazz Festival. Vercorin also offers several themed trails like the "From Chalais to the Chalets" path or the marmot trail with fun family games. At the end of our hike in Sigeroulaz, there is the "Forêt Aventures" adventure rope park.
Highlights of the hike:
- Grimentz: historic wooden houses decorated with flowers.
- Panoramic trail with views over the entire valley.
- Vercorin: adventurous activities, art galleries, museums, and music.
Turn-by-turn directions
The route connects the two villages of Grimentz and Vercorin, beginning with a steep ascent and ending with a long descent. It is possible to hike a shorter variant by using the gondola, either at the start or at the endpoint.
If you want to do the complete hike, the starting point is at the gondola station in Grimentz. Initially, the path still follows the gondola route, but halfway it zigzags up to the right and reaches a path leading north towards the alpine pastures.
After a long traverse of the high mountain slopes, you first reach Orzival at 2100 m a.s.l. and later Tracuit at 1898 m a.s.l. The path continues to Sigeroulaz, the middle station of the Vercorin - Crêt du Midi gondola, and finally steeply downhill to Vercorin.
If you prefer an easier variant of the hike, take the gondola from Grimentz to Bendolla, cross the steep slopes to reach the road near Chiesso Blanc. To avoid the steep descent at the end of the hike, take the gondola in Sigeroulaz to Vercorin.
Start
Grimentz (1588m)
Destination
Vercorin (1313m)
Author's recommendation
Technical information
Altitude
2139m
1313m
Ascent
+585m
Descent
-860m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Approach
Parking
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
