Tour of the Val d'Anniviers : the five 4,000 meter peak hike (stage 2)
St-Luc
4/15°
Scenic funicular ride, heavenly astronomical trail, historical hotel and glorious views of the “Couronne Impériale” consisting of five 4,000-metre peaks.
Difficulty
IntermediateLength
15.68 kmDuration
4:35 hDescription
St-Luc is known for its observatory installed above the village. This is where the trail begins, not far from the top station of the St-Luc - Tignousa funicular. The route first follows the Path of the Planets, a human-scale replica of the solar system. Shortly before the end of the theme trail, hikers reach one of the valley's historic jewels: the Hotel Weisshorn, built in 1882 on a panoramic site at an altitude of 2,337 metres. The hike continues south to the heights of the Val d'Anniviers and then into the Val de Zinal, where there is a magnificent view of the “Couronne Impériale”. The trail descends to Zinal, a picturesque village with many larch wood chalets, and the finishing point of the Sierre-Zinal race, also known as the "Course des cinq 4000". On this hike, follow the final stretch of this race, which is often described by participants as one of the most beautiful mountain races in the world.
Turn-by-turn directions
The trail begins at the top of the St-Luc funicular, at Tignousa (2,186 m). Follow the signs for the “Sentier des Planètes”, which leads high above the valley floor, roughly at the level of the treeline. The theme trail finishes about 1.5 km after the Hôtel Weisshorn (2,337 m).
The hike continues southwards – roughly level at first, and then descending gently as it enters the narrower Val de Zinal. About an hour from the hotel, the trail reaches the alpine pastures of Barneuza (2,211 m), overlooking the village and reservoir of Mottec.
From here, the trail continues southwards up the valley before embarking on a steep zig-zag descent to Zinal.
Start
St-Luc (funicular) (2183m)
Destination
Zinal (1670m)
Author's recommendation
The Anniviers Liberté pass offers a 50% discount on the funicular and free travel on the PostBus as well as certain activities.
Technical information
Altitude
2427m
1670m
Ascent
+470m
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