Top Ten Switzerland Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

Hike the Valais Solar System
By Mark Honan

Imagine yourself as a colossus, striding across space. In just a few minutes you can cross the vast expanse from Earth to Mars. Next stop, Jupiter! Okay, so there's a certain element of cheesiness to this walk—the "Planetary Path" in the Anniviers Valley in southern Switzerland. The planets are displayed as scale models alongside information boards showing a mass of statistics. It starts at the Tignousa Observatory (which is open to the public, though at $140 per group, it's an expensive sideline for just a couple of people). The walk itself is reasonably priced and worth taking even without the planets and stars. It's a beautiful stroll along the eastern slopes above the valley, at an altitude of between 7,216 feet and 8,200 feet. The solar system is represented on a scale of 1:1 billion, so it takes about two hours to walk from the sun to Pluto.




Last Updated: 15 Sep 2010
Published: 30 Apr 2002
The details, dates, and prices mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication.

Post Your Comment


You have characters left.



park finder
step one Where are you going?


step one What do you want to do?


Receive Gear Reviews, Articles & Advice

Email:
Preview this newsletter »

advertisement
GEARZILLA: The Gorp Gear Blog

Related Content


advertisement

Ask Questions

 
Powered by AdventureFinder

Related Trips

  • Belize Mayan Odyssey Tour
    Operated by Slickrock Adventures
    $605 for 3 days
    Belize and nearby Guatemala are the home to some spectacular Mayan ruins which rival any found in the Yucatan. Slickrock offers a trip that combines...
  • Belize - The Inn at Robert's Grove
    Operated by Adventure Life
    $795 for 8 days
    Robert's Grove is a comfortable, gracious, beautifully appointed hideaway which enjoys a premier location near the country's top attractions - the...



© 1999-2012 Orbitz Away LLC Time Taken: 37 MilliSecs, Stellent Time: 1 MilliSecs, ServerName: w305pro