Walking in the Valais. Kev Reynolds

are well signed

      Most of the paths adopted for these routes are well maintained, waymarked and signed at junctions with typical Swiss efficiency. Apart from a few districts where the local tourist office has put its own stamp of individuality on signposts, the majority of path signs are painted yellow and contain the names of major landmark destinations, such as a pass, lake, hut or village, with estimated times given in hours (Std – Stunden – in German-speaking districts; h – heures – in French) and minutes (min). A white plate on these yellow signs gives the name of the immediate locality, and often the altitude too. Rarely do described routes stray onto unpathed territory, but where they do, occasional cairns and/or waymarks guide the route. In such places it is essential to remain vigilant to avoid becoming lost – especially if visibility is poor. If in doubt about the onward route, return to the last point where you were certain of your whereabouts and try again. If you consult the map frequently during your walk, it should be possible to keep abreast of your position and anticipate junctions before you reach them.

      For safety’s sake, never walk alone on remote trails, on moraine-bank paths or glaciers. If you prefer to walk in a group but have not made prior arrangements to join an organised holiday, the staff of several tourist offices arrange day walks in the company of a qualified leader. These take place throughout the summer months and are often free of charge to those staying in the organising resort. Enquire at the local tourist office for specific details.

      SAFETY CHECKLIST

       Before setting out, check the weather forecast (see above) and be aware that all Alpine areas are subject to rapidly changing conditions; throughout the day you should watch for tell-tale signs and be prepared for the worst by having adequate clothing.

       Study route details beforehand, noting any particular difficulties and the amount of time needed to complete the route. Make sure you can be back safely before nightfall.

       On a full-day’s walk carry food (and emergency rations such as chocolate or dried fruit), and at least one litre of liquid per person to avoid dehydration.

       Leave details of your planned route and expected time of return with a responsible person.

       Be vigilant when crossing wet rocks, scree, snow patches and mountain streams. If you come to a section of path safeguarded by fixed ropes or chains, check that they have not worked loose before relying on them.

       Do not stray onto glaciers unless you have experienced companions and the necessary equipment to deal with crevasse rescue. Keep away from icefalls and hanging glaciers.

       Avoid dislodging stones onto others who might be below.

       Never be reluctant to turn back in the face of deteriorating weather or if the route becomes hazardous. In the event of your being unable to reach the place where you are expected, try to send a message.

       Carry map and compass (and GPS if you have one) with you – and know how to use them.

       Always carry some first aid equipment, as well as a whistle and torch for use in emergencies. The emergency telephone number for mountain rescue is 144. Try not to need it!

       Make a note of the International Distress Signal printed at the front of this guide: six blasts on a whistle (and flashes of a torch after dark) spaced evenly for one minute, followed by a minute’s silence. Then repeat until an answer is received and your position located. The answer is three signals followed by a minute’s pause.

       Be insured against accidents (rescue and subsequent medical treatment), for although mountain rescue is highly organised and efficient in Switzerland, it can be extremely expensive for the casualty.

       Finally, please help keep the mountains and their valleys litter-free.

Suggested equipment

      Walkers on the path below Cabane d'Ar Pitetta (Val d’Anniviers)

      While experienced hill walkers will no doubt have their own preferences, the following list is offered as a guide to newcomers to the Alps. Some items will clearly not be needed if you envisage tackling only low valley routes.

      Clothing

       Walking boots – must be comfortable, a good fit, have ankle support and plenty of grip in the soles

       Trainers or similar for wearing in huts, hotels and villages

       Wind- and water-proof jacket and overtrousers

       Woollen hat and sunhat

       Gloves

       Fleece or woollen sweater

       Shirts – 2 or 3 for a fortnight’s holiday

       Warm long trousers, slacks or breeches – not jeans, which are very cold when wet and take ages to dry

       Shorts (optional)

       Long woollen socks

       Underwear

      Miscellaneous

       Rucksack – with waterproof liner and/or cover

       Sheet sleeping bag or liner (if you intend to sleep in huts)

       Bivvy bag – in case of emergencies

       Umbrella – excellent rain protection; especially useful for spectacle wearers

       Trekking pole(s) – highly recommended

       Headtorch plus spare batteries and bulbs

       Water bottle (1 litre minimum)

       Sunglasses, suncream/sunblock and lip salve

       First aid kit

       Map and compass (and GPS if available)

       Whistle

       Watch

       Guidebook

       Penknife

       Camera and films

       Altimeter

       Binoculars

Recommended maps

      The Landeskarte der Schweiz (LS) series of maps that cover the Valais region are magnificent works of art. Open any sheet and a picture of the country immediately leaps from the paper – for by clever use of shading, contours and colouring, the line of ridges and rock faces, the flow of glaciers and streams, the curve of an amphitheatre, narrow cut of a valley, expanse of a lake, and the forest cover of a hillside all announce themselves with great clarity. They are a source of inspiration prior to setting out and a pleasure to use day by day.

      At the head of each valley section in this book, a note is given in regard to the specific map recommended for use. In every instance the 1:50,000 series of Wanderkarten, produced in collaboration with the Swiss walking organisation the SAW (Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Wanderwege), has been chosen. Although more detail is presented on the 1:25,000 sheets, the Wanderkarten – distinguished by their orange covers and with the letter ‘T’ after their official number – should be adequate for most, if not all, the walks described. These maps are available in the UK from Edward Stanford’s in London (see Appendix A for the address) or locally in the Valais from bookshops or tourist offices.

      The commercial publisher Kümmerly + Frey also covers the Valais with a series of 1:60,000 maps based on the LS sheets, and these are mostly available in local resorts. Their 1:120,000 sheet Wallis covers the entire canton and is a useful locator, with a number of major long walking routes outlined in red.

      Some regional tourist authorities also produce their own Wanderkarten to show walking routes based on specific resorts or valleys, and these are on sale at the local tourist offices.

Using this guide