Trail running

Via Valais Zinal - Turtmann Hut (Stage 6)

Sie lassen Zinal hinter sich und laufen zwei Tage in der Natur, bevor Sie das nächste Dorf, Randa, erreichen.

Zinal

-8/-2°

Change your "hellos" into "Tagwohls" as you cross the border between French and German-speaking Switzerland on this sixth, 19-kilometre, uphill leg.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

21.95 km

Duration

5:10 h
Sie lassen Zinal hinter sich und laufen zwei Tage in der Natur, bevor Sie das nächste Dorf, Randa, erreichen.
Nach dem Col de la Forcletta führt der Weg ins Turtmanntal hinunter, bevor der letzte Aufstieg zur Turtmannhütte erfolgt.
St-Luc

Description

After your night in Zinal, a steep path from the village provides an instant wake-up call. The itinerary follows the famous finish of the Sierre-Zinal mountain race but in the opposite direction. Climb above a larch forest to reach a pleasant, gently sloping single track that takes you to the Tsahélet farm. The path then becomes steeper as it heads for the Forcletta pass, which connects the Zinal and Turtmann valleys. This point is the start of both a change of language and rhythm. After a long ascent, it is now time to start a long descent that takes you to the Turtmannsee before a final ascent to the Turtmann hut at 2,523 m with a stone terrace overlooking the glaciers, the Bishorn, the Weisshorn and other impressive 4,000m peaks in the region.

Turn-by-turn directions

Begin your trip with a steep ascent on the path that leaves from the village of Zinal. At every intersection you come across in Chiesso, Les Virons and Tsahélet respectively, make sure you choose the path heading for the Col de la Forcletta. Once on the other side, continue downhill towards Chalte Berg before reaching Lake Turtmann. To reach the Turtmann hut, follow the path that passes below the hut before the last particularly steep climb that takes you to the goal.

 

Zinal - Le Chiesso - Les Virons - Tsahélet - Col de la Forcletta - Chalte Berg - Turtmannsee - Turtmann Hut

Start

Zinal (1669m)

Destination

Turtmann Hut (2519m)

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Author's recommendation

If you’re lucky, the hut will be serving it’s famous Black Forest Cake, a well-deserved treat after so a lot of uphill.

Technical information

Altitude

2874m

1671m

Ascent

+1783m

Descent

-933m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Multi-stage route
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Insider tip
  • Cultural/historical interest
  • Flora
Getting there
Information

Public transport

For the 1st Stage Via Valais : Take the train to Martigny station, then to Le Châble. Take a first gondola lift between Le Châble and Verbier, then a second one from Verbier to Les Ruinettes in order to get to the start of the trail.

Approach

For the 1st Stage Via Valais : Take the A9/E62 motorway to Martigny, then continue on the Grand-Saint-Bernard/route 21 via Sembrancher to Le Châble. It is advisable to use public transport however as this is a multi-leg route that ends in Zermatt.

Parking

For the 1st Stage Via Valais : 240 free parking spaces are available at the Le Châble Aerial Cableway station for a maximum of 10 days.

Equipment

We recommend: 

  • Good footwear
  • Weather-appropriate clothing: always carry a waterproof jacket
  • Hat or peak cap
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle
  • Hiking poles

Safety information

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at your own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.

 

For all trails:

  • Use marked trails only, and take note of all signposting – for both your own safety as well as that of grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
  • Close gates after passing through.
  • Please treat other trail users, as well as the plants and animals, with respect.

 

For mountain trails:

  • Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at high altitudes. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
  • Plan your trail carefully: take the fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season into consideration.
  • Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In case of uncertain weather conditions, turn back in good time.
  • Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
  • Take note of warning signs indicating the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.

Additional information

En savoir plus sur la destination :

Literature

The tourist office in Zinal will provide information regarding trail running in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo Maps: 

1:50’000 : 5003 Mont Blanc – Grand Combin 

1:50’000 : 5006 Matterhorn – Mischabel

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

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