Top 9 Gorges around Anniviers

The Val d'Anniviers offers a range of impressive natural formations. For a direct canyoning experience, the gorge leading from Moiry to Grimentz is a popular choice, suitable for various skill levels. Other notable sites include the Furi Suspension Bridge Over Gorner Gorge, which provides views over a deep gorge, and the Réchy Valley, a nationally important natural site with significant geological features.

Yes, the Furi Suspension Bridge Over Gorner Gorge is considered family-friendly, offering barbecue areas and a playground along the trail. The Réchy Valley also provides opportunities for peaceful walking and wildlife observation, making it suitable for families looking for a less strenuous natural experience.

You can expect to see landscapes shaped by glacial activity, deep gorges, impressive rock formations, and diverse flora and fauna. Specific examples include the 220 million-year-old serpentinite rock in the Gorner Gorge, the Gornera river flowing through the narrow Glacier Gate, and the ice age features like glacial humps and moraines in the Réchy Valley.

The Gorner Gorge offers a unique natural beauty, allowing visitors to walk through on wooden walkways and immerse themselves in the world of water power and ancient rock faces. The water of the Gornervispe has been carving the gorge since the last ice age. It's reachable on foot in about 15 minutes from the end of Zermatt village. While the paths are well-maintained, it is not wheelchair accessible due to stairs.

Yes, the gorge leading from Moiry to Grimentz is explicitly identified as a canyoning opportunity. It's suitable for a range of participants, from amateurs to seasoned professionals, offering diverse challenges, scenic beauty, jumps, slides, and rappels. The experience typically costs around 100 CHF per person, which often includes wetsuit and equipment.

Via Ferrata routes offer an alternative way to experience the grandeur of the region's canyons and rocky landscapes, providing a sense of adventure with fixed cables and ladders. Two notable examples are the Via Ferrata de Moiry, near the Moiry Dam, which is rated 'very difficult' and offers stunning views, and the Via Ferrata du Pont Suspendu de Niouc, located along the gorges of the Navizence river, geared towards experienced climbers.

The Glacier Gate is an impressive natural monument at 2,100 meters where the Gornera river, originating from the Gorner glacier, flows through a narrow rock opening. You can reach it by bike, riding up to the gate, or by parking further down where the gravel path ends and walking the last meters. It offers wild surroundings and a rewarding view.

Beyond exploring the gorges themselves, the Anniviers region offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including routes like the 'Tour of Lake Moiry' or 'Plats de la Lée Loop'. There are also challenging mountain hikes and road cycling routes, such as the 'Saint-Luc, Zinal and Barrage de Moiry' loop.

The Réchy Valley is a listed natural site of national importance, recognized for its high level of protection to preserve its intact flora and fauna. It's not accessible by road from its upper part, providing optimal conditions for peaceful walking and wildlife observation. You can discover its wonders by taking the Bisse de Vercorin.

The Navizence river originates from the Zinal Glacier and carves a deep crevasse through the Val d'Anniviers, particularly around Vissoie. Its dramatic gorges provide a compelling backdrop for adventures like the Via Ferrata du Pont Suspendu de Niouc. You can learn more about the Navizence river on Wikipedia.

Visitors appreciate the unique natural beauty and the opportunity to immerse themselves in powerful natural landscapes. The wooden walkways in the Gorner Gorge offer various perspectives, and the wild surroundings and rewarding views at the Glacier Gate are highly valued. The region's gorges are well-regarded by the komoot community, with over 400 upvotes and more than 170 photos contributed.