Walking in Arolla and Zinal

Explore the Val d'Hérens and Val d'Anniviers, two breathtaking Swiss Alpine valleys nestled to the west of Zermatt in the Valais — a region of soaring peaks, ancient glaciers, shimmering lakes, and traditional villages that remains refreshingly quieter than its famous neighbour. With day walks ranging from 9 to 22km (6–14 miles) and completable in 2 to 10 hours, it's an ideal destination whether you have a long weekend or a full fortnight to spare. This trusted Cicerone guidebook by Lesley and Jonathan Williams describes 35 graded day walks and 2 multi-day treks across Arolla, Zinal, Evolène, Grimentz and beyond, giving you everything you need to explore these valleys with confidence. It pairs clear, walk-by-walk route descriptions with thorough planning information to help you prepare well before you travel and navigate with ease once you're in the mountains. The 35 day walks are graded and spread across the Val d'Hérens and Val d'Anniviers, exploring the area from valley-floor paths through traditional villages to high mountain circuits, so you can choose routes that suit your experience and energy each dayDetailed step-by-step route descriptions are supported by 1:50,000 maps for every walk, helping you navigate confidently on the high mountain paths above Arolla, Zinal, Evolène, Les Haudères, and GrimentzDownloadable GPX files enable easy digital navigation on GPS devices or smartphone apps, so you can keep your eyes on the glaciers of the Ferpècle valley or the vast Grande Dixence barrage rather than the mapPractical planning sections cover getting to the region, travel between centres, accommodation options, and the best season to visit (mid-June to end of September), with key information on mountain huts and public transport throughout the valleysTwo multi-day routes — the Tour du Val d'Hérens and the Tour des Cabanes du Val d'Anniviers — are outlined in full, combining day walks into extended high-level itineraries for those who want to experience these valleys as a connected trek Together, the graded route descriptions, 1:50,000 maps, GPX downloads, and comprehensive planning advice make this the definitive guidebook for walking in the Swiss Valais west of Zermatt. Discover the Arolla and Zinal valleys with confidence.