Tour du Val d'Anniviers: Hike of the five 4000-meter peaks (stage 2)

St-Luc
-4/2°
Scenic ride with the funicular, astronomical themed trail, a historic hotel, and great views of the "Couronne Impériale" with its five 4000-meter peaks.
Difficulty
IntermediateLength
15.68 kmDuration
4:35 hDescription
St-Luc is known for its clear views, sunny location, and starry nights. Therefore, there is a publicly accessible observatory above the village where the sun can be observed during the day and the stars at night.
The hike begins near the observatory at the upper station of the funicular. The route initially follows the Planet Trail: here you experience our solar system reduced to human distances. The sun and planets are displayed as artworks along the path. Each meter on the path corresponds to a distance of one million kilometers in the universe. At this scale, pedestrians travel through the universe on the Planet Trail at three times the speed of light.
About 1.5 kilometers before the end of the themed path, you reach a special historic jewel: the Weisshorn Hotel, built in 1882 at a remote viewpoint at 2337 m above sea level. Today the atmospheric hotel is accessible in summer on foot or by mountain bike and in winter with snowshoes or touring skis.
The hike continues southwards, leading high above the Val d’Anniviers into the Val de Zinal. The "Couronne Impériale" now towers before you with its five 4000-meter peaks. The surrounding glaciers complete the great view at the end of the valley.
At the end of the hike, a steep descent follows down to Zinal. The village is also the finish of the famous mountain race Sierre-Zinal, also known as the race of the five 4000-meter peaks. The hike finishes following the last section of the race, which runners often describe as the most beautiful mountain race in the world.
Highlights of the hike:
- Ride on the funicular in St-Luc, astronomical observatory and Planet Trail.
- Weisshorn Hotel with spectacular views and the legendary blueberry cake.
Turn-by-turn directions
The hike begins at the upper station of the funicular in Tignousa at 2186 m above sea level. Follow the signs of the Planet Trail, which runs roughly at the tree line. The themed path ends about 1.5 km past the Weisshorn Hotel at 2337 m above sea level.
The hike continues southwards. First through barren terrain, once you reach the Val de Zinal, the gentle descent begins. About an hour from the hotel, you reach the alpine pastures of Barneuza at 2211 m above sea level. From there you enjoy a great view of the village of Zinal as well as the Mottec hydroelectric power plant.
From there the path continues south into the valley before it zigzags steeply down to Zinal.
Start
St-Luc (Tignousa upper station) (2183m)
Destination
Zinal (1670m)
Author's recommendation
Technical information
Altitude
2427m
1670m
Ascent
+322m
Descent
-985m
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





