Tour du Val d’Anniviers: Pontis - Chandolin - St-Luc (Stage 1)

This beautiful hike runs along wooded slopes at the entrance to the Val d’Anniviers and passes through some historic hamlets and villages. Whether you end this stage in Chandolin or continue on to St-Luc, both places are well connected by post bus.

The drive to the starting point at the hamlet Les Pontis is already adventurous. The road climbs over 150 meters in a very short distance via hairpin bends and crosses a gorge before you reach Les Pontis. From the starting point at the bus stop, the path climbs steeply through the wooded slopes up to the hamlet Soussillon, where the view becomes increasingly spectacular.

Once you reach Chandolin, the path goes slightly downhill on the second half of the hike along the panoramic path to St-Luc. Both villages have their own charm:

Chandolin, with its sunny south exposure at 1956 meters above sea level, is one of the highest year-round inhabited villages in Europe. The pioneer photographer, writer and journalist Ella Maillart spent her last years there – a former church dedicates an exhibition to her.

St-Luc is known for its clear sky – witness to this is the astronomical observatory near the upper station of the funicular, which is open to the public. Other attractions include the planetarium, historic water mills, and the themed path "Chemin du Pain," which is dedicated to rye bread. For centuries, rye was cultivated to produce bread, which was baked three to four times a year in communal ovens into rye bread. Today, workshops are offered in which you can make your own Valais rye bread in the traditional way.

Highlights of the route