Sanetsch Rock Climbing

Perched up in the mountainous terrain that separates the cantons of Valais and Bern, this limestone climbing venue is amongst the best that Switzerland has to offer.
The climbing area is at an altitude of around 2200 meters above sea level, and is south-facing.

There are several sectors, offering both single-pitch crag climbing as well as multi-pitch routes up to 250 meters in length.

Due to the location and access, traffic here is moderate. On weekdays and early/late in the climbing season, it is very quiet.

On some of the multi-pitch routes, descent is by abseil. For the majority, however, it is a walk-off, descending a steep gully between two of the sectors. Note: scrambling down the gully is, in the best of conditions, a bit tedious. Without proper light or during a storm, it could be hazardous.

Accommodations in the area itself are limited to a hut very close to the top of the cable car (du Barrage du Sanetsch). Other options include hotels along the road from Sion towards Sanetsch, or hotels down in / around Gsteig.

For topos and further information, look to either the Schweiz Plaisir West guidebook, or a guidebook specifically for the area from the Remy brothers, who put up the vast majority of the routes.

Tip: there is a lovely spot where alpine camping is permitted, in a boulder field below the climbing area, equipped with an outhouse.

All of the routes are protected with bolts. For some of the longer routes, a small assortment of cams/nuts may come in handy to supplement what is there.