recommended route
Walk to St. Luc/Chandolin
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Walker on the routePhoto: Jack Cunliffe, Macs Adventure
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The weather can change rapidly in the Alps, always check the forecast before you start the days hiking and pack appropriately. If the weather is too rough, do not begin the trek.
There can be left over snow drifts early in the season, the can sometimes have melted underneath - particularly if it covers moving water. Just because it looks solid, it doesn't mean it is. Exercise extreme caution when crossing such snow drifts and if possible walk around them to where you can see the solidity of the ground clearly.
Some of the ground can be uneven, with rocky/pebbly paths and even ice. Ensure you have suitable footwear with ankle support, and step cautiously when needed.
Much of the path is on clifftops and there has been some erosion, for this reason, the path is sometimes unclear, be careful of the drop and of loose rocks and edges to the cliffs.
Some of the gates are cattle deterrents and are electrified, be sure to use the plastic handles and reattach the cable to the housing when you pass through, they are 12 volts, so not dangerous but very unpleasant.
Tips and hints
Food and Drink
You can get refreshments at the funicular station, otherwise, it is worth bringing a snack, but the trail is short and a full lunch may not be necessary.
Points of Interest
The funicular Station
A restaurant and funicular station with fantastic views of the valley, great cake and good coffee for a reasonable price.
The solar system 'Planet Path'
The path is 6 km long in total and tells you about the 9 planets in our solar system. Two separate scales are used: 1 metre to 1 million kilometres for walking distances and 1 cm to 1000 km for the diameters of the planets. Nature lovers can access the path on foot all year round, via St. Luc or Chandolin. Stargazing evenings are organised for the public several times a year and these provide the opportunity of observing the sun and the moon.
Chandolin
Amidst native pine and larch woods, Chandolin nestles securely on the sunny side of the Val d'Anniviers and has retained all its authentic charm. This ancient village with its typical timber houses and situated at an altitude of 1936 m is among the highest, continuously inhabited settlements in Europe.
This tour is available on the following itineraries: WSWITVD
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
0.00 km - Start at the large sign with multiple destinations on yellow plaques at the back of the Hotel Weisshorn, with your back to the hotel TURN LEFT and cross a track to join another small path and BEAR LEFT
0.20 km - As the path forks, BEAR LEFT as the path begins to descend
1.20 km - Cross a river using the bridge, pass a farmhouse on your right and BEAR LEFT with the path to join a larger track, passing the first of the planets on your left
1.70 km - Ignore the left turn and continue STRAIGHT ON
2.80 km - TURN RIGHT off the track up one of the small paths that lead to a clearing with picnic benches, cross the clearing and join the ascending track ahead
3.20 km - As the path joins another track, TURN LEFT to join it
4.50 km - You will pass the Tignousa station for the funicular where you can shorten the walk and head straight down to St Luc, otherwise continue STRAIGHT ON passing the station buildings to your left
4.70 km - As the path forks, BEAR RIGHT taking the ascending path
5.30 km - As you meet another path BEAR LEFT to join the path, passing a building to your left and heading into the woods
6.70 km - The path meets another path, continue STRAIGHT ON
7.50 km - You will enter the village, passing to the right side of the centre
7.90 km - The path ends at the bus station, you can take a Poste Bus back to St Luc here
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