Best Outdoor Activities in Grimentz, Switzerland

Good to know

Good to Know

Grimentz-Zinal ski area is high-altitude with reliable snow from mid-November through April; January-March are peak months with sunny days and well-maintained pistes.
The village sits in shade during winter mornings—daily sunny upper-slope skiing highly recommended.
Bus service connects Grimentz to Zinal and other Val d'Anniviers resorts; free regional buses available.
Hiking trails are extensive (100+ km) but prime season is June to October when snow melts and alpine meadows bloom. Summer heat can be intense.
Mountain hut network (Cabane de Moiry, Cabane du Petit Mountet) provides meals and overnight shelter; book ahead for popular routes.
Moiry Lake circuit (Tour of Lake Moiry) is the most popular and accessible hike, doable as a day trip or overnight excursion.
Grimentz is known for exceptional lift-accessed off-piste and freeride terrain; avalanche awareness and proper gear essential for powder skiing.
Winter hiking and snowshoeing are well-established alternatives to skiing with 10+ marked trails and 19 dedicated snowshoeing routes.
Ice climbing on frozen waterfalls is available; Cascade du Belvédère in Zinal is illuminated for night climbing.
Gear rental (skis, snowshoes, poles, crampons) available at local INTERSPORT Rent and sport shops.
Winter sports season lasts approximately five months (mid-November to April); reliable snow coverage due to high elevation (1570–2900m).
No significant water sports or beach recreation; water activities are limited to alpine lake viewpoints and hiking.

Key Trails

Tour of Lake Moiry
Season
June to October
Difficulty
moderate
Highlights
13.7km circuit at 2500m elevation with turquoise lake views, emerald-green water, accessible via bus or car to Moiry dam parking lot.
Distance Km
13.6
Sex De Marinda and Lac De Moiry
Difficulty
difficult
Highlights
Technical circuit starting from Moiry and above Grimentz, high-alpine terrain near Moiry Glacier.
Distance Km
19.6
Sasseneire Via Moiry Dam
Difficulty
difficult
Highlights
Summit at 3253m with views of Mont Blanc range. Requires surefootedness, loose debris, exposed spots on steep ascent. Access via Lac Moiry and Col de Torrent.
Elevation Gain M
2907
Valley Path Moiry Dam to Grimentz
Difficulty
difficult
Highlights
Tough but scenic hike best done over two days with overnight at Cabane de Moiry. Takes hikers from high alpine to valley.

Mountain Huts

Cabane De Moiry
Elevation M
2825
Description
Hut perched on rock above Moiry Glacier, provides refreshments and overnight stays. Approximately 2 hours hike from Lac Châteaupré.
Cabane Du Petit Mountet
Description
Mountain hut offering rest and refreshments along trails.

Extensive trail network with over 100 kilometers of marked hiking routes in Val d'Anniviers, ranging from family-friendly to challenging alpine terrain. Peak season June to October when trails are clear of snow.

Water Sports

Overview: Limited water sports. Grimentz lies in alpine mountain terrain at 1570m elevation; nearest significant body of water is Lac de Moiry reservoir at 2248m. No lake-based beach recreation typical of lower-altitude Swiss destinations.

Winter Sports

Ski & Snowboard

Season: mid-November to end of April
Area Name: Grimentz–Zinal ski area
Lifts Total: 21
Total Piste Km: 115
Lift Pass Daily: CHF 73
Notable Features: Connected by third-longest cable car in Switzerland since 2013/14 season. Excellent snow reliability with average 2m snow depth. Popular for freeride terrain including Gardes de Bordon off-piste area (100+ hectares). Zinal Glacier accessible, Cascade du Belvédère illuminated ice climbing.
Lift Pass Note: Adult (25-63yr) price. Youth, senior, child rates available. Magic Pass valid all season.

Elevation Range

Top M: 2900
Base M: 1570

Terrain Breakdown

Advanced Percent: 40
Beginner Percent: 23
Intermediate Percent: 37

Other Activities

Snow Park: Grimentz Snowpark with professionally designed jumps, rails, boxes, and dedicated children's snowpark.
Ice Skating: Natural outdoor ice rink in Zinal with floodlit facilities until 21:00 and occasional ice disco. Tennis court in Grimentz converts to outdoor ice rink.
Ski Touring: Extensive backcountry freeride terrain with guided options available. Avalanche training area on-site.
Ice Climbing: Frozen waterfalls of Val d'Anniviers including Cascade du Belvédère in Zinal (illuminated at night for night climbing). Mayoux has illuminated frozen waterfall.
Sledding Tobogganing: Available; toboggan run mentioned as popular activity.

Cross Country Skiing

Total Km: 19
Description: Three routes totaling 19 kilometers through Val d'Anniviers landscape.

Snowshoeing Winter Hiking

Snowshoeing Routes: 19
Marked Winter Hiking Trails: 10
Description: Marked trails and snowshoeing routes through snow-laden forests to 4000-meter peak viewpoints. Popular routes include Lac de Moiry circuit and Zinal to Sorebois trail. 33km signposted walks in Grimentz, over 110km in Val d'Anniviers.

Parks Nature Areas

Moiry Glacier: Accessible via bus and hiking from Grimentz. Can be visited and explored as part of day-trip hikes.
Val D Anniviers: Entire valley features larch forests, alpine meadows, mountain streams, ancient irrigation channels (bisses), and peaks including Matterhorn, Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Dent Blanche, and Obergabelhorn (4063m).
Moiry Lake And Dam: Lac de Moiry reservoir at 2248m altitude, turquoise waters, 150-meter-high dam wall. Starting point for multiple hikes. Natural gem set in awe-inspiring scenery near Moiry Glacier.

Climbing Via Ferrata

Ice Climbing: Access to frozen waterfall climbing, see winter sports section.

Via Ferrata

Name: Via Ferrata Lac de Moiry
Description: Exciting climbing route skirting edge of Lac de Moiry with experienced instructor supervision. Overhanging traverses up to 20m in some areas. Not for the fainthearted but offers once-in-a-lifetime challenge.

Mountain Biking Cycling

Summer Focus: Yes
Notable Route: Haute Route MTB, Segment 4: Grimentz–Gruben–Saint-Niklaus (24.9 miles / 40 km with 9,540 ft elevation gain). Longest and most challenging MTB route in area.
Trail Network: Many trails of varying difficulty in Val d'Anniviers region.
Description: Exhilarating descents and rewarding climbs through pristine nature. Unique challenges set in heart of untouched alpine landscape.

Organized Sports Events

Notable Event: Sierre–Zinal race (Race of the Five 4000ers) - legendary mountain running race considered one of the finest of its kind.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

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More About Grimentz

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Nature, Parks & Outdoor Activities in Grimentz