From the Pas de Maimbré viewpoint at 2,362 m, the view stretches across the Rhône Valley to the four-thousand-metre peaks opposite Anzère. Anzère itself is a village in the municipality of Ayent in the canton of Valais. Hiking trails, bisses and seasonal winter activities offer different ways to enjoy a trip; there are also climbing routes and the Anzère Spa & Wellness.
Hiking through varied landscapes
Around Anzère, 166 km of hiking trails wind through green alpine meadows and shady forests, along bisses and up to rocky peaks, mountain passes and high-altitude lakes. The range includes everything from paths through wooded areas to hikes in higher-altitude landscapes. Which routes are suitable also depends on the conditions at the time.
Cross-country skiing, snowshoe trails and sledging in winter
The Le Gô cross-country ski trail is almost entirely flat, free of charge and suitable for learning to cross-country ski. Its availability depends on snow conditions. Anzère has 30 km of marked trails for snowshoeing; here too, opening and use depend on snow and safety conditions. These offer two distinct winter activities: an almost entirely flat trail for beginners and a marked network of routes for snowshoe hikes.
The Les Mayens snowshoe trail starts at the Anzère gondola station. It passes through a section of forest and follows the Bisse de Sion irrigation channel. The Rando parc Anzère offers two possible starting points: the beginning of the Route des Mayens du Gô, by the paid Bonnefille car park, or the gondola car park. From there, the route goes via La Brune and the Bordet ridge to Pas de Maimbré. Check local snow, avalanche and opening conditions for this route.
For sledging, there is the secured Village sledging run. A magic carpet, available free of charge, is provided for the uphill ride. Operation depends on snow and safety conditions.
Bisses, climbing and wellness
Bisses—the French term for traditional irrigation channels—are closely linked to Anzère’s history. Since the 14th century, channels with a gentle gradient have been built to carry water from streams and rivers to agricultural land, including meadows and vineyards. The Bisse de Sion along the Les Mayens snowshoe trail connects this cultural history with a specific route.
The climbing areas around Anzère have more than 300 routes. Grades range from 4, listed as suitable for beginners and children, to 9a for experts. Route conditions can change. If you’d rather visit a spa than take part in an outdoor activity, Anzère Spa & Wellness has an indoor and an outdoor pool, massage jets, bubble loungers and a waterfall.
Plan your travel and accommodation around the season
Anzère can be reached by PostBus from Sion. Shuttle bus conditions vary by season: in winter, they are free for everyone; in summer, they are free with the Anzère-Liberté pass. Regular PostBus services are not covered by this arrangement. Check the shuttle bus timetable before travelling so you can take the right connection and account for the applicable conditions.
When looking for a hotel in Anzère, it helps to consider your travel dates and planned activities together. Cross-country skiing, snowshoe trails and the sledging run depend on snow and safety conditions; hiking trails are also subject to the conditions at the time. First decide whether your trip will focus mainly on hiking, winter activities or a mix of climbing and spa visits.
For the broader travel overview: Ayent.
