Difficulty
K5
Extremely difficult via ferrata
K5
Car-free possible
Pointe de Cion, VS
Via ferrata des Gentianes: Androsace
Image: verbier.ch
Current status
Seasonally closed
Today falls outside the published opening season
Checked 14 h ago
Total time
2 h
Approach + via ferrata + descent
Route description Read more Show less The Androsace via ferrata is the harder of the two Gentianes routes, offering a short but demanding high-alpine outing above Verbier. Despite quick cable-car access to Col des Gentianes, the route sits at around 3000m in a serious alpine setting, so stable weather is essential. Steep, airy climbing calls for good fitness and upper-body strength, and the whole outing fits comfortably into half a day. The route is protected throughout by the "Prisme aeroligne" safety system, with compatible gear rentable at the Gentianes restaurant.
The Androsace via ferrata is the harder of the two Gentianes routes, offering a short but demanding high-alpine outing above Verbier. Despite quick cable-car access to Col des Gentianes, the route sits at around 3000m in a serious alpine setting, so stable weather is essential. Steep, airy climbing calls for good fitness and upper-body strength, and the whole outing fits comfortably into half a day. The route is protected throughout by the "Prisme aeroligne" safety system, with compatible gear rentable at the Gentianes restaurant.
Route map
Download GPXZoomable topographic map showing available approach, via ferrata, descent, start, finish, and parking geometry. The Download GPX link near the route map heading provides the same route geometry as a file.
Annotated route info/map available from sac-cas.ch.
Approach / VF / Descent
Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.
Total: 2 h
Approach
Access- Duration
- 20 min
- Distance
- 497 m
- Ascent
- 100 m
- Descent
- 100 m
- Elevation
- -
From the Col des Gentianes cable car station, walk north beneath the ski lift. After a short stretch, turn northwest and follow the light blue markers up to the saddle just north of P. 2961, where the via ferrata begins.
Via ferrata
K5- Duration
- 1 h
- Distance
- 313 m
- Ascent
- 100 m
- Descent
- -
- Elevation
- 3,040 m
The route opens with a three-cable bridge spanning a deep canyon, leading to the true start. A steep pillar follows, featuring an intimidating overhang, before the angle eases slightly. A rightward traverse reaches a second bridge beneath a large roof, followed by more overhanging, exposed climbing back left to the ridge. A final hard section gives way to easier ridge climbing up to the summit at about 3035 m.
Descent
Exit- Duration
- 40 min
- Distance
- 497 m
- Ascent
- 100 m
- Descent
- 100 m
- Elevation
- -
From the summit, fixed cables lead down into the saddle between the two peaks (about 3020 m). From here, an easier connecting via ferrata (around K2) descends back to the approach path and down to the cable car station.
- Total duration
- 2 h
- Total distance
- 934 m
- Total ascent
- 200 m
- Total descent
- 100 m
Escape points
No escape point details are recorded yet.
Opening season
Typical published season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year-specific and weather-dependent.
Route feel
VFOS editorial ratings on a 1-5 scale.
Variety
How much the route changes in movement and terrain.
- -
Complexity
Route-finding and technical problem-solving beyond pure grade.
- -
Beauty
Scenery, setting, and overall aesthetic quality.
- -
Exposure
Airiness and exposure independent of technical difficulty.
- -
Sustained effort
How continuous or relentless the physical effort feels.
- -
Crux tags
No crux tags are recorded yet.
SAC-CAS route profile
Source ratings on the SAC-CAS 1-4 scale.
- Mountain experience
- 2/4
- Power
- 3/4
- Endurance
- 2/4
- Psyche
- 3/4
Photos
9 source photos
Transport
Plan around the trailhead, parking, and public transport links.
Last lift down
Check operator
Cable car
Col-des-Gentianes
The Col des Gentianes mountain station is accessible in July and August by cable car from Verbier, either via La Chaux or from Siviez / Nendaz via Tortin. Information on the operating times of the cable cars can be found here: https://www.verbier.ch
- Coordinates
- 46.08470, 7.30084
Safety notes
Check current local information before setting off.
Emergency
In Switzerland, call Rega on 1414 for mountain rescue. European emergency number: 112.
Mobile signal
Cell coverage can be patchy in gorges, valleys, and behind ridges. Download route notes and tell someone your plan.
Storms
This route is flagged as exposed or high-grade; avoid thunderstorms, wet cables, and fast-changing alpine weather.
Sources & data Attribution, source priority, and field-review status for this route.
Referenced sources
- Opening season · Verbier TourismeOfficial
https://www.verbier.ch/en/discover/pause-indoor-activities-wellness/via-ferrata-in-les-gentianes-androsace-red-verbier-en-3738597/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Opening-season source retained for status provenance.
- SAC-CAS approachOfficial
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/pointe-de-cion-10702/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-via-ferrata-des-gentianes-40507/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
- SAC-CAS returnOfficial
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/pointe-de-cion-10702/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-via-ferrata-des-gentianes-40507/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
- SAC-CAS via ferrataOfficial
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/pointe-de-cion-10702/klettersteig/via-ferrata-des-gentianes-androsace-40506/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
Field review
No contested fields are currently flagged.
At a glance
- Location
- Pointe de Cion, VS
- Elevation range
- 3,040 m
- Car-free possible
- Yes
Weather