K3 Car-free possible

Pointe de Cion, VS

Via ferrata des Gentianes: Edelweiss

The Edelweiss via ferrata is the easier of the two Gentianes routes above Verbier, reached in about a quarter hour from the Col des Gentianes cable car.

Image: verbier.ch

Difficulty

Difficult via ferrata

Current status

Seasonally open

Today falls within the published opening season

Checked 2 h ago

Total time

1 h 30 min

Approach + via ferrata + descent

Route description The Edelweiss via ferrata is the easier of the two Gentianes routes above Verbier, reached in about a quarter hour from the Col des Gentianes cable car. Rated K3, it climbs the scenic southeast ridge of the Pointe de Cion to 3040 m in a genuinely high-alpine, exposed setting. Despite the short, convenient access, good stable weather is essential given the 3000 m altitude.

The Edelweiss via ferrata is the easier of the two Gentianes routes above Verbier, reached in about a quarter hour from the Col des Gentianes cable car. Rated K3, it climbs the scenic southeast ridge of the Pointe de Cion to 3040 m in a genuinely high-alpine, exposed setting. Despite the short, convenient access, good stable weather is essential given the 3000 m altitude.

Route map

Download GPX

Annotated route info/map available from sac-cas.ch.

Route Info/Map

Start: 46.08494, 7.30169
Finish: 46.08742, 7.29555
Parking: -

Approach / VF / Descent

Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.

Total: 1 h 30 min

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 under the ski lift, then turn northwest onto the light-blue marked path leading to the saddle just north of Point 2961, where the via ferrata begins.

Via ferrata

Duration: 30 min
Distance: 138 m
Ascent: 100 m
Descent: -
Elevation: 3,040 m

Marked in blue, the route climbs the southeast ridge of the Pointe de Cion. Steeper ground near the start gives way to a short traverse, followed by sustained climbing to the summit at 3040 m, the high point of the Monts de Cion.

Descent

Exit

Duration: 40 min
Distance: 497 m
Ascent: 100 m
Descent: 100 m
Elevation: -

Cables descend from the summit area into the saddle at roughly 3020 m between the two peaks. From there, an easier K2-graded via ferrata drops back down to rejoin the original approach path.

Total duration: 1 h 30 min
Total distance: 759 m
Total ascent: 200 m
Total descent: 100 m

Escape points

No escape point details are recorded yet.

Opening season

Typical published season

Source

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year-specific and weather-dependent.

Transport

Plan around the trailhead, parking, and public transport links.

Last lift down

Check operator

SBB to Col-des-Gentianes SBB from Col-des-Gentianes Navigate to start point

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

Navigate Timetable

Route feel

VFOS editorial ratings on a 1-5 scale.

Ratings -

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.

Official source

Mountain experience: 2/4
Power: 1/4
Endurance: 1/4
Psyche: 1/4

Photos

9 source photos

Middle/right: the Edelweiss via ferrata, Left: the descent.© Valais/Wallis Promotion

Edelweiss flowers on the Edelweiss via ferrata.© Fabian Lippuner

Great views west towards Mont Blanc.© Valais/Wallis Promotion

Gentianes via ferrata with the Mont Blanc massif behind.© Valais/Wallis Promotion

Gentianes Via ferrata© Valais/Wallis Promotion

An ibex enjoys the views from the summit.© Valais/Wallis Promotion

Safety notes

Check current local information before setting off.

Rega 1414

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

Avoid thunderstorms and wet rock. Via ferrata cables can become hazardous quickly in poor weather.

Sources & data Attribution, source priority, and field-review status for this route.

Referenced sources

Opening season · Verbier Tourisme
https://www.verbier.ch/decouvrir/pause-activites-indoor-wellness/via-ferrata-des-gentianes-edelweiss-bleu-verbier-fr-3738596/

Official

Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Opening-season source retained for status provenance.
SAC-CAS approach
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/pointe-de-cion-10702/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-via-ferrata-des-gentianes-40507/

Official

Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
SAC-CAS return
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/pointe-de-cion-10702/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-via-ferrata-des-gentianes-40507/

Official

Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
SAC-CAS via ferrata
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/pointe-de-cion-10702/klettersteig/via-ferrata-des-gentianes-edelweiss-40505/

Official

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