Bella Tolla, Rothorn to the Meidpass and back

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Val D'Anniviers, Suisse

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Bella Tolla, Rothorn to the Meidpass and back

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(1 vote, 1 review)

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 13.6 miles / 22 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: This hike takes you far away from civilization, pure nature at it's best. After climbing two summits, Rothorn and Bella Tolla, we climb down towards pas de Boeuf into the wide rocky desert. We return from the Meidpass back into civilization towards the starting point: Chandolin.

Tips: For this hike you'll have to be a bit more experienced.
There are two difficult parts in this hike. First is climbing down along a rope at the Bella Tolla. Second is the debris field after Pas de Boeuf where you must follow the remnants of paint, piles of rocks, topo map and GPS guidance.
Due to the height of this hike the weather must be good with not much snow below 3000m. When freezing level is at 4000m and nice warm weather, thats ideal.

Points of Interest

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Parking spot and start of the hike

When entering the village you turn right just before the tourist office so that you can park on the top of the parking building. This is not a free parking, free parking is available at the ski lift.
This is also the starting point of this guide.

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Cabane de la Bella Tolla

Already tired? this is a good place to rest! In this cabane you can find drinks and food.

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Rothorn (Phare de Griolet)

The Rothorn, or also called Phare de Griolet is a summit of 2998m above sealevel. You can see this mountain already from the start of the hike but it takes some time till you can reach it.

The Rothorn (Phare de Griolet) 2998m Photo

The Illhorn and Schwarzhorn as seen from the Rothorn (2998m) Photo

The Rothorn (Phare de Griolet) - View from the Bella Tolla (Saint-Luc, Switzerland) Photo

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Bella Tolla

The Bella Tolla with Bella Tolla Glacier is a mountain of 3024m in height, it gives you a tremendous sight on the imperial crown of 4000m mountains and the Val d'Anniviers

The Rothorn (Phare de Griolet) as seen from the Bella Tolla Photo

The big mountains seen from the top of the Bella Tolla (Saint-Luc, Switzerland) Photo

The Bella Tolla Glacier (Saint-Luc, Switzerland) Photo

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Meidpass

Finaly you reached at this point the Meidpass, climbing out of the vast rock desert back to the valley.

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Tourist office

More information of hiking at Chandolin or Val d'Anniviers at the Tourist Office.

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Junction to Rothorn and Bella Tolla

After reaching the refuge you can go two ways: you can do only the Bella Tolla summit or you can do the Rothorn too. Our recommendation: do both, you'll won't regret it!

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Junction to the Meidpass

At this point to signs do not show the Meidpass. At this crossing point you can visually go left or right but the path goes straight ahead. Pleas use your map and GPS to keep you on the good path. Also, the piles of rocks will guide you too!

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Tignousa

When returning from the Meidpass this is sure a good place to stop. Besides a great menu's you can enjoy outside on the balcony with some refreshments.

Pictures in this guide taken by: unlivingsava, r2rec

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I really loved this hike; It takes you to two summits before entering a very silent path far away from civilization. I will sure do this one over ;-)
Visited on Aug 10, 2010

by unlivingsava on Jul 10, 2011