Page 106 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

EXPERIENCE Mittelland, Bernese Oberland and Valais

The unspoilt Val d’Anniviers,
a side valley in the Valais,
popular with hikers

31 of rock formations known INSIDER TIP
as the Pyramides d’Euseigne.
Val d’Hérens Visi ble from the valley road, Hike the Valais
these sawtoothed outcrops of Bisses
! C5 @ n 13 Rue rock jut out of the hillside like
Principale, Euseigne; The bisses are irrigation
www.valdherens.ch fangs. They were sanded into channels that run
shape during the Ice Age by throughout the Valais.
Stretching southeast from the ero sive action of wind, rain Some of them have been
Sion, the tranquil Val d’Hérens and ice. Each point is capped there for cen turies, and
(Eringertal in German) reaches by a rock, which protected the many are now restored
into the Pennine Alps. This softer rock beneath from and make excellent
pretty valley has enchanting ero sion, so producing these hiking paths. Some are
scenery and is home to pretty jag ged formations. vertigo-inducing, set
vil lages with wooden chalets. The village of Evolène, 15 km along a cliff edge; others
Traditions are kept alive here, (9 miles) south of the village are more gentle.
making it seem a world away of Euseigne, is a good base
from modern life. for hiking. At the head of the
A striking geological feature valley, amid lush Arolla pine glaciers of Zinal to the south.
of the Val d’Hérens is a cluster forests and colourful flowery Surrounded by the high peaks
meadows, is the hamlet of Les of the Pennine Alps and cut by
Haudères, where there is a the River La Navisence, the
Geology and Glacier Centre valley is dotted with villages
with an interesting museum. which offer visitors skiing in
Beyond this small outpost, the the winter, and hiking and
Val d’Hérens extends into cycling in the summer.
tree-lined Val d’Arolla. At the Near the entrance to the
end of the road sits the small val ley perches the unspoilt
resort of Arolla. moun tain village of Vercorin.
From Soussillon you can
journey to medieval Chandolin,
32 a village of quaint wooden
chalets and fantastic views.
Val d’Anniviers From Vissoie it is worth going
to sun-drenched Saint-Luc
! C5 @ ∑ valdanniviers.ch
at 1,650 m (5,413 ft) for a
A popular destination in the breathtaking view of the Val
The dramatic jagged summer for hikers, the rugged d’Anniviers. From there you
rocks that form the Val d’Anniviers begins across can proceed up to the top of
Pyramides d’Euseigne from Sierre and runs up to the Bella Tola (3,025 m/9,925 ft).
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