Cycling routes
Val d'Anniviers - Scenic & side valleys
Sierre
9/21°
The climb from Sierre to Zinal lets cyclists discover the Val d'Anniviers – without doubt one of the most beautiful valleys in the canton of Valais – and pass through small villages full of charm such as Vissoie or Ayer. As a bonus, the finish in Zinal offers unrivalled views of the mountains and corries all around!
Difficulty
DifficultLength
27.83 kmDuration
4:20 h
Description
Setting out from Sierre, the road in the direction of Val d'Anniviers initially runs parallel to the mountainside before starting to climb in a series of spectacular switchbacks that recall some of the most legendary alpine passes. After passing through the village of Niouc, the gradient becomes more gentle. The road then snakes back and forth, hugging the spectacular cliffsides and passing through a series of avalanche galleries dug into the rock. The famous yellow post buses that criss-cross Switzerland are sure to notify you of their presence in the gorges with their characteristic three-tone horn. The old fortified village of Vissoie then appears, with the valley unfolding before you as far as Zinal. The climb becomes more gentle until you reach the end of the road at the exit to the village. From there, the stunning panorama is on no account to be missed.
Turn-by-turn directions
The climb from Sierre to Zinal takes cyclists from the Rhone valley with its sun-kissed vineyards to the majestic summits of the Alps and their millennia-old glaciers. The climb back out of the Val d'Anniviers is a sight to behold, with breathtaking panoramic views at every turn. From the village of Niouc to Vissoie, the crown jewels of Valais – five summits of more than 4,000 metres, with the famous Matterhorn in the middle - serve as a backdrop! On leaving Vissoie, the climb grows less steady, alternating between steeper parts and welcome flatter stages. A final effort is required to reach Zinal. Continue on to the end of the road at the exit to the village and admire, among others, the peaks of the Weisshorn, the Zinalrothorn and La Dent Blanche!
Start
Sierre (526m)
Destination
Zinal (1669m)
Author's recommendation
Thrills are guaranteed as you scale your way up the first hairpin bends from the valley and on the road cut into the rock at Niouc!
Technical information
Altitude
1670m
523m
Ascent
+1147m
Descent
-3m
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Getting there
Information
Public transport
Arrive in Sierre by train from all Swiss towns (SBB) or by the regional trains running on the Simplon line between Brig and St. Gingolph.
Approach
From the A9 motorway from Lausanne or Brig, take the Sierre Est (from Brig) or Sierre Ouest (from Lausanne) exit and access to the park + ride at the train station via Rue de la Plaine.
Parking
Park and Ride at Sierre train station. Please follow the local car park routeing in Sierre.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
