Sasseneire
3,254 m
Switzerland
Also known as Сасенеире, სასენერიAlso known as
Сасенеире · სასენერი
- Elevation
- 3,254 m
- Prominence
- 386 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: T2 (hikr.org, Moiry dam – Col de Torrent section)
One of the easiest 3,000 m summits in Valais: a marked mountain path from the Moiry dam (2,250 m) past the Torrent alp and the Lac des Autannes to the Col de Torrent (2,916 m), then an unmarked trail across shaly slopes and up the SE ridge, airy near the top, to the summit. About 1,000 m of ascent; 6½–7 hours round trip.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 9.0 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,247 m
- −243 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 3,254 m
- Time Up
- 5h 46m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 26m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Moiry dam (2,250 m, PostBus stop) cross the dam and follow the dirt track south-south-west along the west shore of the reservoir, then west to the Torrent alp (about 2,481 m), about 45 minutes. About 20 m past the alp building take the middle path (signposted) west across the alp to the Lac des Autannes (about 2,686 m), about 1½ hours from the dam, and on to the Col de Torrent (2,916 m), with a large cairn and a cross, about 3 hours from the dam. The path to here is marked white-red-white and is part of the Tour du Cervin. At the col descend about 10 m on the west (Hérens) side on a steep stepped path, then take an unmarked trail to the right that slants up shaly slopes and reaches the crest of the SE ridge at about 3,000 m. After a flat section at about 3,130 m the upper ridge is more airy, with a few easy moves; the path bypasses the large summit blocks. The summit plateau is broad. Descend the same way. From the Val d'Hérens side the summit can also be climbed from Villa or the Mayens de Cotter via Bèplan to the Col de Torrent, about 1,500 m of ascent. In spring the peak is a ski tour from Grimentz, Moiry or Villa.
Start
Barrage de Moiry2,246 m
- Train to Sierre, PostBus to Vissoie and Grimentz, then the summer bus from Grimentz to the Moiry dam.
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Parking: Barrage de Moiry2,246 m
Car park and PostBus stop at the dam
- Feature: Torrent2,911 m
Alp building; take the middle (signposted) path towards the Col de Torrent
- Feature: Lac des Autannes2,685 m
- Col: Col de Torrent2,911 m
- Summit: Sasseneire3,254 m
Key Passages
- Lac des Autannes
- Col de Torrent
- Shaly traverse onto the SE ridge
- Airy upper ridge and summit blocks
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
A 3,254 m dark schist peak between the Val d'Anniviers and the Val d'Hérens, reached by a mountain path and an easy ridge from the Moiry dam. One of the most accessible 3,000 m summits in Valais, with views from Mont Blanc to the Weisshorn and Dent Blanche.
The Sasseneire ('black rock') rises on the ridge separating the Val de Moiry (Anniviers) from the Val d'Hérens, north-west of the Lac de Moiry. Its key col is the Col du Tsaté (2,868 m). The normal ascent is a hike: a well-marked path on the Tour du Cervin to the Col de Torrent, then an unmarked trail over shaly ground and a short ridge. There is no glacier and no real climbing.
Starting at the Moiry dam (2,250 m) keeps the ascent to about 1,000 m, which makes it a good first 3,000 m summit or an acclimatisation day. The turquoise Lac de Moiry and the Moiry glacier sit below, and the summit view takes in many 4,000 m peaks including Mont Blanc, the Grand Combin, Dent Blanche and Weisshorn.
The upper ridge is airy in places and the shale is loose, so care is needed, especially in descent. In winter and spring it is a ski tour from Grimentz or Villa, with a summit slope of about 35°.
Climbing Notes
Sure-footedness on steep, loose shale and a head for an airy (but not difficult) ridge are needed; no technical gear is required in summer conditions. Fitness for about 1,000 m of ascent and 6½–7 hours round trip is enough.
Typical itinerary: take the summer bus or drive to the Moiry dam, walk to the Col de Torrent (about 3 hours), the summit (about 1 hour more) and back the same way. A traverse to Evolène or Les Haudères from the Col de Torrent is possible if transport is arranged.
The Moiry road is closed from the first snow (usually November) to late spring, so in winter the approach is much longer. Snow can linger on the ridge into July and arrive again in October; bring microspikes or crampons then.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; Moiry road closed; ski ascents from Grimentz or Villa only
- Feb
- Winter; ski touring for experienced parties
- Mar
- Ski touring; avalanche risk on the approach slopes
- Apr
- Spring ski touring
- May
- Spring snow; Moiry road may still be closed
- Jun
- Road to the dam usually cleared by early June; snow on the upper ridge
- Jul
- Main season
- Aug
- Main season
- Sep
- Often stable and clear
- Oct
- Possible before the first snow; road closes with the first snowfall
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Wildlife tranquillity zones on the Hérens side in winter; stay on recommended routes (respecter-cest-proteger.ch)
- The Moiry road is closed in winter, from the first snow (usually November) until spring
- Getting There
Grimentz (Val d'Anniviers); Evolène (Val d'Hérens)
Sion (SIR) for limited flights; Geneva (GVA)
- Train to Sierre, PostBus via Vissoie to Grimentz, then the summer bus to the Moiry dam
- By car: Sierre – Vissoie – Grimentz – Moiry dam (2,250 m); summer only
- From the Val d'Hérens: PostBus Sion – Evolène – Villa/La Sage, then on foot via the Mayens de Cotter
Hazards
- Exposure
- Weather
- Rockfall