Alpine village Zinal in the Pennine Alps, Val d' Anniviers, Switzerland.

© Steven Van Aerschot/Shutterstock

Zinal

Valais


At 1670m, Zinal is 12km south of Vissoie, at the end of the Val d’Anniviers. While Matterhorn climbers start from Zermatt, a valley to the east, climbers for five other 4000+m peaks seen from the Zermatt side, start their climbs from Zinal. This is a grand base for both summer and winter sports. The ski area is interconnected with that of Grimentz and the village has a number of hotels which also boast restaurants and bars.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Valais attractions

1. Moiry Glacier

3.1 MILES

This glacier, although only about 5km in length, is extremely impressive, about 12km south of Grimentz. PostBuses make the journey to the road-end, where…

2. Grimentz

3.58 MILES

At 1572m and 7km south of Vissoie on the valley's western side, Grimentz entices skiers with its Valaisian granaries (built on stilts to keep out thieving…

3. Vissoie

5.63 MILES

Medieval Vissoie, at 1200m and with a population of about 500, has been inhabited since the 13th century and acts as the main village and a crossroads for…

4. St Luc

5.71 MILES

At 1655m and a steep 5.5km up from Vissoie on the valley's eastern side, St Luc is often paired with Chandolin as their ski areas are interconnected. St…

5. Chandolin

7.96 MILES

The village of Chandolin, high above the valley floor on the eastern side, entices skiers with 75km of broad, sunny runs and fairy-tale panoramas. It is…

6. Espace Ella Maillart

7.99 MILES

If in Chandolin, make sure to visit Espace Ella Maillart, dedicated to the remarkable Swiss adventurer Ella Maillart (1903-1997), who lived in Chandolin…

7. Vercorin

9.32 MILES

At the mouth of the valley on its western side, Vercorin is geared up for families with gentle skiing on 35km of downhill slopes. It can be accessed by…

8. Matterhorn Museum

10.06 MILES

This crystalline, state-of-the-art museum provides fascinating insight into Valaisian village life, mountaineering, the dawn of tourism in Zermatt and the…