A guidebook to 35 day walks and 2 multi-day hikes in Switzerland’s Arolla and Zinal. Exploring the beautiful scenery of Val d’Herens and Val d’Anniviers, west of Zermatt, the routes are generally long and high but on well-maintained paths, with some calling for a good head for heights.

Day walks range from 9 to 22km (6–14 miles) and can be enjoyed in 2–10 hours. The routes are graded allowing you to choose routes suitable for your ability. Two multi-day hikes are also outlined, combining the day walks described.

• 1:50,000 maps are included for each walk
• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on planning, facilities and public transport
• Highlights include Dent Blanche and Lac Bleu

CONTENTS

Map key

Route summary table

Introduction

The Valais – Val d’Anniviers and Val d’Hérens

The mountains

The walking

Bases in the Val d’Hérens

Bases in the Val d’Anniviers

When to go

Getting there

Travel in the region

Accommodation

Maps

Apps

Preparation

Equipment

Using this guide

Val d’Hérens and Val d’Hérémence

Val d’Hérémence (Dix)

Walk 1 Thyon to Grande Dixence barrage

Walk 2 Grande Dixence barrage to Cabane des Dix

Walk 3 Cabane des Dix to Arolla

Arolla

Walk 4 Pas de Chèvres from Arolla

Walk 5 Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges from Arolla

Walk 6 Lac Bleu circular walk from Arolla

Walk 7 Plan Bertol from Arolla

Walk 8 Cabane de la Tsa from Arolla

Walk 9 Arolla to Les Haudères – the valley route

Walk 10 Arolla to Evolène – the high Route 6

Les Haudères and Ferpècle

Walk 11 Roc Vieux from Les Haudères

Walk 12 Ferpècle valley

Walk 13 Bricola and the upper Ferpècle valley

Evolène

Walk 14 Tour of the rock villages – Route 214

Walk 15 Evolène to Pralong (Dix valley) via Col de la Meina

Walk 16 Pic d’Artsinol

Walk 17 Evolène to Pralong (Dix valley) via Mandelon

Walk 18 Euseigne pyramids, Ossona, the passerelle and Combioule hot springs

Walk 19 Villa to Grimentz via Col de Torrent

Walk 20 La Sage to Cabane de Moiry via Col du Tsaté

Walk 21 Evolène to Cabane des Becs de Bosson

Multi-day route

Tour du Val d’Hérens (TVH)

Val d’Anniviers and Val de Moiry

Réchy valley

Walk 22 Cabane des Becs de Bosson to Nax

Walk 23 Réchy valley

Moiry valley

Walk 24 Grimentz to Cabane des Becs de Bosson

Walk 25 Cabane des Becs de Bosson to Cabane de Moiry

Walk 26 Lac Moiry circuit 2500m

Walk 27 Cabane de Moiry to Zinal

Zinal

Walk 28 Zinal to Cabane du Petit Mountet

Walk 29 Zinal to Cabane du Grand Mountet

Walk 30 Roc de la Vache from Zinal

Walk 31 Cabane Arpitettaz from Zinal

Walk 32 Cabane de Tracuit from Zinal

Hotel Weisshorn and Chandolin

Walk 33 Chandolin, Planets Trail, Hotel Weisshorn to Zinal

Walk 34 Bella Tola from Tignousa

Walk 35 Illhorn, Illsee, Lac Noir and Cabane Bella-Tola

Multi-day route

Tour des Cabanes du Val d’Anniviers (TCVA)

Appendix A Contact information

Appendix B Glossary of useful French words

Seasons

Best for walking from mid-June to the end of September, when snow has melted, and mountain huts and main services are open.

Centres

Arolla, Zinal, Evolène, Les Haudères, Grimentz.

Difficulty

Includes a range of routes, mainly mountain walking on good paths. A few walks involving exposure and aided sections are clearly indicated.

Must See

Dent Blanche, Weisshorn, Ober Gabelhorn, Pigne d’Arolla, Lac des Dix, Lac de Moiry, Pas de Chèvres, Ferpècle valley, Moiry icefall, Lac Bleu, traditional buildings, Planets trail, Grand Dixance barrage, Tour de Val d’Hérens, Tour of the Cabanes Val d’Anniviers.

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