Discover Chandolin

Chandolin lies below the Illhorn on the steep western slope of the Val d’Anniviers in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. At approximately 1,936 m above sea level, the village is one of Europe’s highest parish communities.

Mountain Village and Views

The old clustered village preserves an older settlement pattern; alongside it, a dispersed settlement shaped by tourism has developed since 1950. From Chandolin, the view stretches across the Valais Alps, including the Zinalrothorn, Besso, Ober Gabelhorn, Zinalspitze and Dent Blanche. The village thus combines a clearly defined position on a mountain slope with a sweeping Alpine panorama.

Winter Sports Around Chandolin

The St-Luc/Chandolin ski area extends from 1,650 to 3,000 m in altitude and offers 60 km of ski slopes. In the Chandolin sector, a snow park is located beside the Tignousa ski lift. Two Swiss Snow Kids Villages cater to younger skiers: one is at the entrance to the village and has a magic carpet, while the other is located directly on the ski slopes. These facilities differ in location and purpose; check seasonal operating hours and access conditions before travelling.

Walking Trails and Snowshoe Tour

The Botanical Walking Trails include 22 information panels along various footpaths. Orchids and an 860-year-old larch are among the natural features to discover there. The trails combine exercise with information along the way, while the botanical themes unfold across different sections.

In winter, the Parcours de l’Alpage de Chandolin snowshoe loop runs through the forest above the village to the hamlet of Pramarin and the Illhorn ski slope. Along the way, it offers panoramic views of the mountains at the far end of the valley. Snow and local conditions may affect access; check them before setting out.

Chando KMs: Distances and Elevation Gains

The Chando KMs routes are easy to distinguish by distance and elevation gain. The short KM Vertical covers 3.2 km, gaining 1,000 m, and finishes at the Illhorn at 2,716 m. The longer Double KM also leads to the Illhorn, starting from La STEP in Fang and covering 7.7 km with an elevation gain of 2,000 m. The Kid’s Vertical runs between the Mayens de la Rèche and Chandolin: over 1.2 km, the elevation gain is 300 m; the route is open to children aged five and over.

The Trail Double KV Chando competition takes place every year in mid-September. The route details describe different formats, not a single shared distance or elevation gain. Check the dates, format and participation requirements for the relevant year before planning.

Village History and Cultural Heritage

A guided tour of Chandolin introduces the village’s history, from the past to the present, and is led by a local resident. It also includes a visit to the Edmond Bille exhibition. The communal bakehouse, the Maison Bourgeoisiale and the Ella Maillart Museum are among Chandolin’s architectural heritage.

The permanent Espace Ella Maillart exhibition is housed in the former Sainte-Barbe chapel. In the old village, the Bourgeoisie House contains a cellar with traditional jugs known as “Channes”, as well as larch-wood casks of Vin du Glacier. The “Vin du Glacier and Visit to the Bourgeoisie” experience combines a visit exploring the history of Chandolin’s Bourgeoisie with a tasting of this wine. Alongside trails and winter sports, history, exhibition visits and wine traditions therefore offer different options to consider when planning a trip.

Getting There and Planning Routes

Chandolin and St-Luc are served by PostBus on the Pontis–Chandolin–St-Luc stage of the Tour du Val d’Anniviers. The stage follows forested slopes and passes through historic hamlets and villages. If you are planning your trip using this connection, check the current timetable. This will help you choose your accommodation based on activities and the relevant seasonal or date-related conditions.

Discover more destinations: Crans-Montana, Icogne, Grône, Anniviers, Miège, Saint-Luc Vs, Venthône, Sierre.

Return to the broader travel overview: Siders.