Grimentz – A Gem On The Swiss Haute Route
July 31st, 2010
Grimentz – A Gem On The Swiss Haute Route
The Haute Route is the classic trekking route from Chamonix to Zermatt connecting Mont Blanc with the Matterhorn. Along the way pass by 10 of the 12 highest peaks in the Alps. The scenery is spectacular to be sure but just the chance to immerse yourself in the history and traditional cultures of the Alps is just as compelling a reason to take a hiking tour of the Swiss Alps along the Haute Route.
While there are many charming hamlets villages and full blown resorts along the Haute Route none has more historic and cultural appeal than Grimentz. The town of Grimentz is located in the immense Val d’Annviers in the Frenchspeaking part of the Valais canton. The valley divides into two fingers the Zinal Valley and the Moiry Valley. Both are beautiful but if mountain scenery and glaciers is what you’re after the Moiry Valley is the clear choice with the accessible Moiry Glacier and icefall at the head.
On the western slope of the Moiry Valley the town of Grimentz lies at 1570 m. If you are hiking the Haute Route consider a stop preferably overnight in this lovely and bustling town. If you’re hiking west to east as most Haute Route hikers do you will have crossed over either the Col du Tsat or the Col de Torrent and then made a descent to Lac de Moiry. From either the Glacier Parking or the Dam you can take the postbus directly to the center of Grimentz or you can walk downstream about two hours to Grimentz.
Grimentz is a wonderful blend of new and old ancient houses granaries and community buildings set among modern chaletstyled inns and shops and vibrantly decorated with geraniums and other flowers on nearly every building in the village. You’ll see a number buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th century and one from as early as 1510.
In its day Grimentz was a center of rye farming and milling and the old mill has been restored along the course of the Marais. Although the church was rebuilt in 1950 it was built with the original steeple dating to 1831 and an adjacent vicarage from the same period. A winery is also located in the historic center of town. The principle community building of Grimentz is the 15th century Burgher’s House which was the center of village life. Guided tours are offered on a regular basis and can be arranged at the town’s visitor information center.
After a day in Grimentz you can continue your lt;a href=”http://www.alpenwild.com” target=”_new”gt;Haute Route hikelt;/agt;by continuing on to Zinal St Luc or other traditional stops along the Haute Route. But on a route filled with scenic mountain vistas Grimentz is a refreshing and culturally rich addition to your hike on the Haute Route.
About the writer: Greg Witt adventure guide and author lives the adventures he writes about. He is the author of Ultimate Adventures: A Rough Guide to Adventure Travel and 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Salt Lake . His adventure travel company Alpenwild specializes in hiking trekking and photographic adventures in the Alps. Greg is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association.
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