Bella Tola – A Perfect First 3000m Peak Above St-Luc

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Overview

  • Starting point: St-Luc (1,650m)
  • Arrival: Bella Tola (3,025m) & Rothorn (2,998m)
  • Funicular dropoff: Tignousa (2150m)
  • Altitude gain: ~1,000m
  • Duration: 5-6h
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Technical difficulty: Easy

If you haven’t climbed above 3000m yet, Bella Tola in the Val d'Anniviers is the perfect introduction. Standing at just over 3000m, it offers a rewarding ascent of about 1000m without any technical difficulties.

I started my hike in St-Luc, taking the funicular up to Tignousa (2150m). Tignousa is a great spot, especially for families, with activities for kids, including an observatory.

But my goal was Bella Tola, so I set off on the trail, which initially winds through lush, green pastures with streams and small waterfalls. The weather was perfect—a beautiful early summer day—so I put on my bandana to avoid sunburn.

After about 20 minutes, I reached Cabane de Bella Tola, where the trail turns right toward Lac de Bella Tola (2550m).


This section has gentle ups and downs, with a few snowmelt-fed streams to cross. About 100m before the lake, the trail splits—one path leads down to the lake (a great hike for families), while the other heads straight to the summit. Since I was here for the peak, I took the left path and began the real climb.

The Ascent to Bella Tola (3025m)

The trail steepens but remains non-technical. Midway up, I took a snack break, but otherwise, I kept pushing upward. After about an hour, the terrain transitioned to rock and gravel, and 30 minutes later, I stood by the summit cross at 3025m.

The view was breathtaking—I could see the Matterhorn and Dent Blanche clearly. The blue sky and crisp air made it all the more rewarding.


Extending the Adventure: Rothorn (2998m)

With energy still left, I decided to bag a second peak—Rothorn. This peak has a German name because it sits right on the language border between French- and German-speaking Switzerland.

To reach Rothorn, I descended 100m from Bella Tola on the way I came from. At some point there is a bivuac with a tiny museum inside. After the visit I took a gravel path leads upwards. After an initial steep section there rest goest towards Sierre mostly flat, with a slight incline. After 15-20 minutes, I arrived at the Rothorn summit (2998m), marked by a scenic viewpoint with a small lighthouse.


The Descent and a Refreshing Break at Lac de Bella Tola

By now, it was midday, and the sun was intense. After a short rest, I started my descent. About an hour later, I reached Lac de Bella Tola, where I stopped for another snack break. The lake was stunning, with crystal-clear waters reflecting the bright blue sky.



Feeling satisfied but also a bit tired, I decided to take the shorter route back. The same I came from in the morning, rather than the longer alternative continuing beyond the lake. After another hour of descent, I arrived at Tignousa. By 2 PM, I was back in St-Luc, ending a fantastic day in the mountains.

Final Thoughts

This hike was a perfect first 3000m peak of the year—challenging yet accessible, with incredible views and varied landscapes. If you’re looking for a scenic and rewarding hike in the Val d’Anniviers, Bella Tola is a great choice! N.B.: Since it is anyway 3000m don't do it to early in the year or you'll find snow. In my case it was early July.

Location: Saint-Luc, 3961 Anniviers, Switzerland

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