Located in the Val d\u2019Anniviers in the heart of the Valais, under the imposing Pigne de la L\u00e9, the Col du Pigne is the subject of a hike that will surely remain in the memory of the walker in search of breathtaking landscapes. The route starts at the Moiry Dam at 2250 m above the village of Grimentz. With a height of 148 metres and a length of 610 metres, the dam was put into service in 1958 after four years of construction which required approximately 1200 workers. The footpath first runs along Lac de Moiry with its turquoise waters. The lake constitutes a reservoir of 78 million m3 for an area of 1.4 km2. The route then gets to the Lac de Ch\u00e2teaupr\u00e9 with its astonishingly beautiful hues, then climbs towards the Cabane de Moiry to finally reach the Col du Pigne at 3140 m. The way back makes a small detour by the Lac de la Bayenna under the Pointe du Bandon to return to the dam via a panoramic trail.<\/p>\n
The route is ranked in the “hard” category because of its length and the nature of the terrain after the Cabane de Moiry. Although not exposed, the path joining the Cabane de Moiry is equipped with chains in the trickiest places. I strongly recommend doing the hike in two days to better appreciate the peaks of the Val de Moiry, such as the Grand Cornier, the Dent Blanche, the Pointes de Mourti, the Tsa de l\u2019Ano or the Couronne de Br\u00e9ona. The Cabane de Moiry<\/a>, built in the 1920s, has a new building with a fully glazed dining room offering a splendid view over the glacier since 2010.<\/p>\n