The Haute Route from Zinal traces its majestic path through the heart of the Imperial Crown. A highly reputed mountain race, it winds its way between the most beautiful 4000 m peaks of the Swiss Alps. As elegant as it is challenging, the traverse requires the presence of a mountain guide. But what are the main routes? Here's a look at the classic and the variants of this royal-looking route.
The imperial Haute Route from Zinal : a jewel in the Swiss Alps
In the heart of Val d’Anniviers, lies a majestic route. The Haute Route Impériale at Zinal, one of the finest ski touring routes in the Alps. The odyssey begins in the village of St-Luc, at an altitude of 1655 metres. A week-long ski raid with 7,000 meters of vertical drop, the Haute Route winds its way through the famous Imperial Crown. Far from the crowds and hustle and bustle of the modern world, it offers a major challenge to any mountaineer venturing into these desert lands.
This legendary route owes its fame to its regal aura. From north to south, giants rise from the bowels of the earth. Dominating the Alpine skies at over 4,000 metres, one mountain follows another. Clad in a blanket of snow, they soar into the ether, eternal and mysterious. United in their grandeur, these summits awe and amaze the man who dares to challenge them. Timeless masterpieces of nature, five exceptional summits adorn the Imperial High Route: Dent Blanche,Obergabelhorn, Zinalrothorn, Weisshorn and Bishorn. These colossal diamonds are a hymn to the grandeur of the Alps.
The Zinal route takes mountaineers to some of Switzerland's most beautiful corners and villages. Among them, Zermatt, accessible by one of the variants. Zermatt shines in the spotlight as the starting point for the famous ascent of the Matterhorn. How can you resist the bewitching charm of this place perched at an altitude of 1620 metres? The Matterhorn, which dominates this valley, remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration for me. This mountain fascinates me as much as it bewitches me...
Classic itinerary of the Imperial High Road: days 1 to 3
The classic Haute Route Impériale itinerary at Zinal requires an average commitment of six days. St-Luc, Bishorn, Blanc de Moming... So many sublime places that the ski raid invites us to discover.
Day 1: Crossing from St. Luc to Turtmannhütte. Positive altitude difference of 850 metres. The journey begins at St-Luc. An enchanting village at Val d’Anniviers, it is the faithful guardian of the summits of the Valais Alps. After an ascent to summit de la Bella-Tola by funicular and ski lift, the first descent of the ski tour takes place. Pas de Boeuf, Borterprass 2838, vallon de Meidhorn, Gruben... The slopes extend over 1230 meters of vertical drop. The day ends with a final climb to Turtmannhütte. This hut, a little jewel isolated from the rest of the world, welcomes skiers from March onwards. It's a haven of peace where you can disconnect and contemplate the pyramids of rock and ice.
Day 2: Cabane de Turtmannhütte - Cabane de Tracuit. Positive vertical drop of 750 meters. Between ski touring, rock climbing and glacier climbing, the day follows the rhythm of the mountain. The Brunegggletscher and Turtmanngletscher can sometimes be crossed in mixed terrain, depending on conditions. Don't underestimate the high mountains, as glaciers remain capricious. The crevasses, voracious chasms, can swallow up any unwary man who dares venture too close to their edges. That's why the itinerary sometimes requires a few adjustments.
Day 3: Cabane de Tracuit - Cabane d'Arpitettaz. The Bishorn, at 4151 metres, dominates the Cabane de Tracuit. summit is reputed to be one of the easiest 4000-metre alpine peaks to climb. If you feel like climbing it summit, I invite you to discover the CamptoCamp topo which will guide you along the route. But if you're feeling tired, you can continue on to the Col de Milon, then the south side of the thalweg. Finally, the Arpitettaz refuge stands discreetly opposite the gigantic Weisshorn.
The classic Haute Route Impériale from Zinal : days 4 to 6
Day 4: Cabane d'Arpitettaz - Cabane du Mountet. Positive altitude difference of 1250 metres. A day's ascent of Blanc de Moming, culminating at 3657 meters. Up here, the panorama of the Valais Alps is majestic and celestial. Sailing through the summits, our gaze feeds on the splendours of this icy paradise. These moments suspended in time inspire and thrill me. I never tire of admiring these peaks and immortalizing them in photographs.
Day 5: Cabane du Mountet - Schönbielhütte. We cross the Col Durand, the main stage of the day, to reach the Schönbiel hut via the Hohwänggletscher. From the pass, the more adventurous continue their ascent of Mount Durand. From here, the view of the Matterhorn is breathtaking. Like a fortress, summit seems to rule the world. And in the heart of this Valais jewel, man soars in a kingdom between heaven and earth. At this point, some roped parties decide to head straight for Zermatt. Others continue their journey by spending a final night in a mountain hut, savouring the final moments of this memorable adventure.
Day 6: Cabane de Schönbiel - Ferpècle. This last stage, sometimes omitted, leads to Ferpècle via the Tête Blanche. A final day that takes us through some of Evolène's most breathtaking panoramas.
The Haute Route Impériale at Zinal is drawing to a close. The last steps, marked by effort, resonate in every skier's cell. As the last rays of sunlight hide behind the summits imperial crown, the spirit of freedom shines eternally in the mountaineer's heart.
Variants of the Haute Route de Zinal
The Imperial High Road of Zinal offers a multitude of itineraries thanks to its many variants. One of the most famous is the Tour du Ciel. This route starts in the south and climbs northwards. Linking Zermatt to Sankt-Niklaus, it reveals a grandiose panorama of the Imperial Crown. Dent Blanche Obergabelhorn , Zinalrothorn, Weishorn, Bisshorn... so many pyramids to dazzle the eye.
Following the classic itinerary, some decide to add a stage after the night at the Grand Mountet hut. This is the ascent of the Trifthorn. With a positive vertical drop of 900 meters, this is a race of unparalleled beauty. With slopes of up to 45°, conquering the Trifthorn is an extra challenge for mountaineers. As we ascend the Mountet glacier, the Zinalrothorn rises before us, cloaked in its snowy mantle. Its north face, dominating the Alpine skies, takes on a Himalayan air. I recall those timeless moments when these two summits revealed themselves to me in exceptional contrast. A frozen moment that, as a photographer, I'm constantly searching for.
Finally, the last and most popular variants offer the option of finishing the race at Zermatt or Arolla. The latter village, on the edge of the Val d'Hérens, is charming for its tranquility and unspoilt nature. Surrounded by Mont Collon, the Pigne d'Arolla and the Aiguille de la Tsa, the village is enchanted by the glaciers that overlook it. But how much time do we have to contemplate the beauty of this ice? My photographs reveal climate change in the mountains. Glaciers are retreating, leaving behind deep scars. And my works become the memory of this age-old ice that is inexorably disappearing.
The Haute Route Impériale at Zinal remains forever engraved in the hearts of mountaineers. Surrounded by some of the finest 4,000m peaks in the Swiss Alps, it invites every adventurer to tread its path. Beyond the sporting feat, it elevates the skier into a majestic world. Like a call to meditation, this ski raid brings man closer to his deepest self. The Royal Road of the Imperial Crown.
