Location: Val d’Anniviers, above St. Luc
Description: difficult hike with the highest point at 3025 meters above sea level.
Total length: about 12 km
Walking time: about 4-5 hours
Elevation: +/- 900 meters
Altitude: between 2141 and 3025 meters
National hiking map 1: 50’000: 273 Montana
Best period: from June to October
Difficulty : T3
Itinerary
The hike begins at the top of the arrival of the St Luc – Tignousa funicular. Directly above the arrival of the funicular follow Bella Tola, Lac de la Bella Tola. The route passes well below the Bella Tola hut. After about 20 to 30 minutes of climbing, the route joins an alpine road that you follow and which crosses a ski lift. Continue towards a building (chippis ski club hut) and always follow the alpine road towards altitude point 2433. After this altitude point, you can continue to follow the alpine road or take a path that runs along the foothills of the Ombrintses and joins the alpine road at altitude point 2519. Continue to climb the road until the fork to reach the summit of Bella Tola (indication). The climb is very steep to the summit (440 meters of elevation gain over 2 km). From the summit there are two variants of descent. Either you retrace your steps for about 200 meters and take a path that runs along the western flank of the Bella Tola and joins the official descent path on the west face to the Pas du Boeuf. Or go directly from the summit on the full West face to also reach the Pas du Boeuf. From Pas du Boeuf, continue south-west towards altitude point 2676 and reach Lac de la Bella Tola by a path that heads south. From Lake Bella Tola head southwest towards Chalet-Blanc and reach Tignousa by following (north) the alpine road to arrive at the starting point.
Useful information
The descent route to Chalet Blanc requires you to be very attentive to follow the indications of the markings. Out of tourist season, find out about the funicular timetables.
Public transport timetable (Sierre-Saint Luc)
Funicular timetable (Saint Luc – Tighousa)
