Cycling routes

Valais Cycling Tour: St-Luc Anniviers - Veysonnaz (stage 6)

St-Luc

1/7°

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From St-Luc in the Val d’Anniviers to the mountain resort of Veysonnaz, the sixth stage takes you into the wild and unspoiled Val d’Hérens, bringing you to the famous Piste de l’Ours (The Bear Piste).

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

77.22 km

Duration

5:00 h

Description

The road from St-Luc towards Ayer winds through pine trees and small streams. After a few kilometres you take the split towards Zinal through the picturesque village of Grimentz and cross to the other side of the Val d’Anniviers. Without ever having to descend back to the Rhone Valley, you head to Vercorin, then Nax along a road that gives you the impression of being suspended over the Rhone Valley. After Nax, the road descends a few kilometres towards Loye where you will discover one of the most beautiful hidden valleys of the Valais: the Val d’Hérens. From Vex there is no way down; you simply ride from one valley to the next. It’s absolutely exhilarating. The road stays high until you reach Veysonnaz.

Turn-by-turn directions

The first kilometres from St-Luc to Grimentz are not too hilly, giving you a moment to enjoy the view of the Matterhorn perched at the tip of the Val d’Anniviers. After you descend a few hairpins out of Grimentz, the route soars back upwards towards Pinsec, then Vercorin. Enjoy an incredible panoramic view on your descent to the village of Loye before the next, often steep climb into Nax and the Val d’Hérens. Cutting into this side valley, you cross the villages of Vernamiège, Mase and St-Martin before the descent towards Euseigne and its famous natural earth pyramids. The last segment from Vex takes you up through Les Agettes, finally bringing you into the resort of Veysonnaz. Enjoy the stunning views of the valley and neighbouring peaks!

Start

St-Luc, Bella Tola (1641m)

Destination

Veysonnaz (1334m)

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Author's recommendation

Don’t forget to stop by the earth pyramids of Euseigne. These piles of glacier moraine can reach 10 to 15 metres high, most wearing a big rock that protects their structure. They were formed at the end of the last glaciation called the Würm, 80,000 – 10,000 years ago. They are one of the most amazing geological curiosities of the Alps.

Technical information

Altitude

1642m

893m

Ascent

+1901m

Descent

-2212m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

CFF train to Sierre then postal bus to St-Luc via Vissoie.

Approach

Exit the autoroute A9 at Sierre Est. Follow signs to Val d'Anniviers.

Parking

This tour is one stage of the Valais Cycling tour where the finish is not at the same place as the starting point. Therefore, we recommend arriving by public transport. Otherwise there are parkings at the cableways or at the tourist office in St-Luc, follow the local park routeing to access them.

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion