Cabane de Becs Bosson from Bendolla – 2985m

Although the busy week behind us and the chilly nights had left us feeling a little tired, the opportunity to be on the hills in the Swiss Alps in brilliant sunshine wasn't something we could pass up easily. So, even though we'd raced up and down to Cabane d'Arpitettaz just the previous afternoon, Friday saw us returning to Bendolla cable car station above Grimentz on another beautiful morning for some more hiking. Our plan for the day was to head southwest towards the Cabane du Becs Bosson at 2985m, from where we should have a clear view into the adjacent Val d'Herens to the west and over towards Mont Blanc as well.

The hot weather and still air made the climb a little stifling at first, but passing 2500m a cooler breeze arrived to help us along. Making our way over ski runs and past chair lifts we made good progress and after just 2 hours were scrambling onto the rocky and snowy ridge beneath the Bosson peak. Behind us we would see right down the Val d'Anniviers and over towards the Bernese Alps that by now were becoming familiar sights and we could pick out the major peaks that we had hiked beneath just weeks before.

Cresting the boulder strewn col at 2900m the view changed immediately with the enormous Mont Blanc clearly visible ahead beyond the Cabane and to our left the five 4000m peaks that top the Val d'Anniviers, also now becoming familiar sights and making us feel right at home were sparkling in the sunshine. A perfect spot for lunch we decided.

Boiling up our soup and pasta in the clear, crisp air we felt very peaceful and fortunate, plus the food tasted amazing after the tough climb. After a good rest we pushed on, traversing to the Cabane where we found a board identifying the dozens of major peaks visible on such a clear day. Despite our longish stay in the Val d'Anniviers the view felt new every time we hiked, with different perspectives shaping the ever changing landscape. We didn't think we could ever grow tired of this stunning place.

Not wanting to miss the last cable car from Bendolla we couldn't stay too long and so began the descent, this time taking the trail initially northwards, skirting down the mountainside revealing the adjacent Val d'Herens below (perhaps a destination for the future) and then past the bright blue Lac de Lona away to our left. From here we made good time traversing the route back to Bendolla which we had taken just a few days ago from the Scex da Marenda and back in good time for a gentle ride back to Grimentz reflecting on another incredible day in the Alps.

Walk Information:
Motorhome Base: Zinal (or Grimentz)
Transport Used: Bus from Zinal - Vissoie - Grimentz.  Cable Car Grimentz - Bendolla
Start / End Point: Bendolla Cable Car Station
Time It Took Us: 6 hours
Level: Moderate / Hard
Map: LS 1327 'Evolene' 1:25,000 (see below)

Related Articles:

9 Things to See and Do in Val d'Anniviers

Why we fell in love with Val d'Anniviers

5 Amazing Summer Hikes in Val d'Anniviers

Escape the Crowds and Discover Unspoiled Valleys in the Swiss Alps

Touring in the Swiss Alps Without Breaking the Bank - 12 Ways We Kept Cost Down

More details of our hikes in Val'Anniviers