Becs de Bosson – A Rocky Wonderland Above Grimentz

Overview

  • Starting point: Grimentz (1,570m)
  • Gondola dropoff: Bendolla (2120m)
  • Arrival: Becs de Bosson (3,143m)
  • Altitude gain: ~1,000m
  • Duration: 5h (loop)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Technical difficulty: Easy to moderate (some scrambling near the summit)

A Perfect October Ascent

It was early October, and with a sunny weekend forecast, I saw the perfect opportunity to climb my last 3000m peak of the year. I chose Becs de Bosson (3,143m), standing right across from Bella Tola, where I had kicked off the summer.

I drove to Grimentz in Val d'Anniviers, arriving around 9:30 AM, and took the gondola up to Bendolla (2,120m). From there, the trail ascends gently through alpine pastures, well-marked and without difficulties.

The Ascent to Col des Becs de Bosson (2,974m)

The first part of the hike was straightforward. First on the pastures and then, as I climbed higher, on rockier and more rugged terrain, though still without any technical challenges. Eventually, after a bit more then 2h, I reached the Col des Becs de Bosson (2,974m)—from here, I had two options:

  1. Continue to Cabane des Becs de Bosson (just 15 minutes away) and descend around Pointe de Lona back to Bendolla.
  2. Go for the summit first, since I was already so close.
I chose the summit!


The Final Push to Becs de Bosson (3,143m)

From the col, the summit was only 30 minutes away. The first 10 minutes were on loose gravel, but then came the rocky section, where a fixed rope helped over a short wall. From here, the landscape completely changed—a surreal rock canyon with towers, holes, and natural windows.


The path wasn’t clearly marked, and at one point, I wasn’t sure if I was still on the route. I even considered turning back, but I pressed on, scrambling in a few spots until I finally reached the summit.

The last stretch involved climbing a small rock tower. At the base, I found a heart made of stones—a charming sign of climber love.

The summit itself was tiny and exposed, not exactly the best picnic spot! I took some quick photos, ate a snack, and admired the unique rock formations before heading down.


The Descent: A Scenic Return

Knowing the route made the descent easier, and I quickly spotted where I had strayed from the trail earlier. I had turned around one of the rock towers on the wrong side. Within 30 minutes, I was back at the col, and 15 minutes later, I reached Cabane des Becs de Bosson.


I didn’t stop since I had eaten just before, and I still had a long descent ahead. The trail led through grassy slopes, eventually reaching Pas de Lona, where I turned left toward Lac de Lona and Bendolla.

About 30 minutes later, I arrived at Lac de Lona, a calm, reflective mountain lake. I took another snack break on the shore, soaking in the peaceful alpine atmosphere.

The final stretch became grassier and gentler, winding around Pointe de Lona before leading back to Bendolla. By 2:00 PM, I was back at the gondola station, where I rewarded myself with a well-deserved slice of cake before heading back down to the car.

Final Thoughts

This hike was a fantastic way to end my 3000m season—a mix of gentle trails, rocky climbs, and dramatic landscapes. If you're looking for a moderate adventure with a bit of scrambling and incredible views, Becs de Bosson is a great choice!

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