The Illhorn, Valais, Switzerland

[colgregg]

A family holiday last week gave me the opportunity to do a days' walking so I opted for the Illhorn which at 8910ft overlooks the Rhone valley in the Valais region of Switzerland. By Alpine standards it's a minnow but despite it's stature provides stunning views and has a summit which is well enough detached from surrounding tops to give a real sense of achievement on reaching it.
The walk starts from Chandolin in the Val d'Anniviers, South of Sierre. As it is a popular skiing area the slopes are well marked with easy tracks and it's merely a case of following the signposts as the track zig zags it's way up to Le Tsape, a restaurant at the top of the ski lift. Turning off the track shortly before it brought me onto "proper" walking paths for the short steep climb to the Pas d'Illsee and a first view of the small lake (dammed to form a reservoir) the pass is named after. The path turns north up the broad ridge for the final 1000ft or so ascent to the summit and the dramatic declavities of it's Northern face with a birds eye view of the Illgraben, a gigantic crater caused by the collapse of a mountain. There are sensational panoramic views of the mountains of the Bernese Oberland to the North and the Rhone valley more than 7000ft below. Having spent a mind boggling hour or so on the summit soaking in the views of countless peaks I made my way down to the pas and followed the ridge over two minor summits as far as Lac Noir, a small mountain lake hidden away in the shadow of the Shwartzhorn. The track back to Chandolin was well marked and merely a case of following it though the upland pastures back to the village.

above the tree line and a view to the head of the Val D'Anniviers

Once off the track a "proper" mountain path leads up to the Pas D'Illsee

The Illsee backed by the Shwartzhorn (Centre) and Rothhorn(Right)

Pas D'Illsee from the ascent to the summit.

The summit of the Illhorn complete with signpost, cross and sturdy bench.

The Illgraben from the Illhorn. In times past the mountain has collapsed leaving this massive cliff

View to the Bernese Oberland from the top.

View to the Bernese Oberland and the Kanderstag summits from the top

The ridge path and minor summit on the way to Lac Noir with the Rothhorn behind

Lac Noir. Set in a natural bowl beneath the Rothhorn and the Schwartzhorn it is a great resting place for peace and quiet

[taylor94]

Beautiful love the photos looks like pro calender shots.

I would love to do them one day.

[colgregg]

Beautiful love the photos looks like pro calender shots.

I would love to do them one day.

Thanks. Having done this one, which was far less strenuous than many a Lake District walk, I would love to return and explore more. This typifies how rewarding the Alps can be without having to don crampons, ice axe and ropes.
I am pleased with the photos. One of my favs (below) was taken from the top of the Grande Dixence Dam taken one evening after an "interesting" ride up the valley road with it's many twists and turns.

From the top of the dam. The Grande Dixence Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Dixence River at the head of the Val d'Hérens in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. At 285 m (935 ft) high, it is the tallest gravity dam in the world

[taylor94]

Out of interest do you live in switzerland?

[colgregg]

Out of interest do you live in switzerland?

No I just holidayed there last week and stayed in the same place three years ago. I've always wanted to head off into the hills while in Austria/Switzerland in the past but never got round to it.

[taylor94]

Was going to say I was planning on going on a mountaineering holiday you could have given me and my partner a tour round the mountain if you were able lol

[pgrizz]

A fine set of pictures Colin, it certainly looks a grand walk.