Switzerland is full of wonders. This neutral country is home to many places of interest which have gained much acclaim over the years. I had always wanted to visit Switzerland but the Alps in particular appealed to me the most. It was a dream come true, being surrounded by the Swiss Alps. This is the story of how I ended up in Saint-Luc, a village in the middle of the Swiss Alps.

My story begins with a train ride through Switzerland to the city of Sierre. In a country like Switzerland, where there is simply so much to discover and explore, choosing a specific place to visit can seem like a challenging task. This decision seems all the more intimidating if you are, like me, on a budget and working with a limited amount of time. It is always good to do the necessary research before settling on a place but I went for a more spontaneous route this time.

My girlfriend, Anna, and I searched on Airbnb for places we liked in Switzerland. We specifically looked out for cabins at an affordable rate as it was my desire to be surrounded by nature. Without much planning, we booked our accommodation, packed our stuff and hopped on a train. We caught a shuttle from Sierre to Saint-Luc. As the bus crept slowly upwards, along the windy slopes, it dawned on us that we had, unknowingly, booked a place right in the mountains.

It was pitch-black outside when we arrived in St-Luc. The sun had set and the village was engulfed in darkness. The sudden drop in temperature upon stepping outside was rather surprising. I definitely was not prepared for the -11 degree weather. We were eager to get settled in, shivering from the cold outside and weary from a full day of travelling. I could not see anything beyond the lights radiating from each cabin so imagine my surprise when the sun revealed this beautiful backdrop in the morning.

St-Luc

Could you imagine, waking up to this view every morning? I had this privilege just last month. This was the view I was greeted with, from my cabin up in St-Luc. Located in Valais, a canton in southern Switzerland, St-Luc is perched on the eastern slope of the Val d’Anniviers. The village sits comfortably on the sunny side of the Val d’Anniviers, offering spectacular views of the alpine valley.

I was exhilarated to be here. There were so many outdoor activities to engage in. Despite the coronavirus, the ski slopes and the hiking trails were still open. Nature remains accessible to those who are still brave enough to explore. The sun was out and the white mountains seemed to glow under the brilliant sunshine. Hiking was my priority so I laced up my boots and we explored the terrain on that beautiful day.

We started hiking toward Hôtel Weisshorn after a light breakfast. The temperature was still in the negative range so it was essential to dress warm. A good pair of waterproof gloves is indispensable when it comes to winter hiking. Being from tropical Singapore, winter gloves were not a part of my wardrobe. Thankfully, I was able to pick up a pair from the local ski shop. On our hike, we crossed the geographical centre of Valais, the canton we were in.

I have become tremendously fascinated with hiking, over the last year. The concept of trekking through the wilderness, surrounded by nature was in itself so simple but so extraordinary. Growing up in the city of Singapore, I did not have access to such vast expanses of natural, scenic beauty. Singapore’s highest natural point is the summit of Bukit Timah Hill, a mere 164 metres above sea level. Having the grand opportunity to walk among the Swiss Alps seemed like a fantasy to me.

I have been hiking many times before but nothing really prepares you for the magnificence of the Swiss Alps. Hiking around the Val d’Anniviers currently tops my list of hiking experiences. It is simply a phenomenal experience, being surrounded by such beauty while trekking through the snow. Our lives have become increasingly dominated by technology so much so that we forget the natural wonders of the world. I believe that surrounding yourself in nature truly enriches the soul.

Hôtel Weisshorn

We made it to our destination, Hôtel Weisshorn, which sits at an altitude of 2337 metres. This was an entirely new experience for me. It may not seem like much to experienced mountaineers but this moment was significant to me as I had never been this high up before. There were absolutely no clouds in sight. The sun shone, unobstructed, reflecting intensely on the ground. You could actually book a room for a night or two. What an experience, staying in a hotel in the sky!

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The light from atop the mountain was so blinding that sunglasses were absolutely necessary. The sun bore down on the alpine peaks with full intensity, illuminating the entire valley and keeping me warm at the same time. The coat of arms of the canton of Valais fluttered in the distance as we memorialised our hike in photographs. We had a nice little photoshoot right outside Hôtel Weisshorn. The moments right after completing a hike are my favourite.

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The spotless peaks of the mountains shimmered in the sunlight and I could see the depth of the entire valley, laid out in front of me. My gaze captured it all, this flawless landscape, right before my eyes. Selecting specific sights and moments you wish to capture is not easy, especially when everything around you is breathtaking. Photographs are not nearly as important as taking in the moment with one’s own senses. Nothing comes close to being fully immersed in your surroundings.

Fortunately, the restaurant was still open for business. We sat down to some refreshing drinks and some food too. Ordering chicken nuggets and fries just seemed appropriate at that moment. The warm food tasted especially delicious with such a great view. I thought about all the things I was able to accomplish despite the circumstances of the pandemic; I was extremely pleased. As long as I had food in my tummy and a roof over my head at the end of the day, I was untroubled.

We began our descent, back to the village of St-Luc. We opted for a different route this time, one which sat more in the shade and found ourselves walking through something of an icy cold fortress. It reminded me of the scenes from Game of Thrones. At times there was no snow beneath our feet, just slippery ice. This made for quite an interesting journey back but once again, the views did not disappoint.

I spotted many little cabins on my way back and they were all equipped with solar panels, harnessing the sun’s energy. Life on the mountain seemed pretty simple to me. Nature is right at your doorstep and there is barely anyone around to disturb the peace. This kind of life appealed to me. Maybe in the future, I will find my place somewhere, up on a lonesome mountain.

Chandolin

The next day, we trekked to the picturesque village of Chandolin. This village, like St-Luc is perfect for those who wish to ski and hike. Everyone in the village seemed so pleasant and happy, greeting me as we crossed paths. It seemed so natural to utter “Bonjour” and smile whenever you came across a new face. I wonder why the rest of the world could not be like this. Imagine a world where everyone is just nice to each other, a world where we all get along.

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Why would anyone want to leave such an agreeable place? It was my last day and I knew I did not. We sat on a bench, overlooking the city of Sierre and the entire valley below. I made simple sandwiches out of bread, ham and cheese. The bread from the local bakery had this wonderfully crunchy crust and yet was still fluffy on the inside. A simple pleasure but I was especially grateful that day to be surrounded by nature, enjoying my sandwich.

On this note, I end my story about the the Val d’Anniviers. All I can say is that sometimes the most random decisions yield the best possible outcomes. I am currently back in Amsterdam at the moment, schooling once again but I am very eager to get back out there and get acquainted with some new mountains. Read about the rest of my trip right here and do subscribe down below. Have a great day ahead!