Page 107 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland
P. 107
Grimentz is a fascinating Switzerland and the second on a plateau north of the
village, full of traditional tall highest in the Alps after Mont Rhône valley, with a clear view
wooden chalets built on the Blanc: the Dufourspitze, which of the Valais Alps to the south.
underlying bedrock. From peaks at 4,634 m (15,203 ft). In the late 19th century, as the
here, hiking trails lead up Because of its shape, Monte fashion for mountain holidays
to the Moiry dam and the Rosa is easier to climb than grew, Crans and Montana
Glacier de Moiry. The highest the Matterhorn. ex panded and merged into
village in the valley is Zinal at Situated on its Italian side, one legal entity.
1,670 m (5,479 ft). This resort near the summit at 4,556 m Crans-Montana can be
is a ski centre in winter and a (14,947 ft), is the Capanna reached by road from Sion,
good base for summer hiking. Regina Margherita, the and from Sierre either by a
From Zinal guides can be highest mountain shelter road that winds up through
hired for the climb to the in Europe, built in 1893. The vineyards and pasture, or
summit of the Zinal-Rothorn Monte Rosa massif is encircled by funicular. This very sunny
(4,221 m/13,848 ft), the by the Gornergletscher, a vast resort has a network of cable
Pyramide des Besso, Oberes glacier and the second-largest cars and ski lifts, accessing over
Gabelhorn and Pointe de glacial system in the Alps; 140 km (87 miles) of pistes and
Zinal. There are also many stretching lower down are the glacier of Plaine Morte, a
easier peaks and highly the usually deserted slopes of pop ular destination for cross-
scenic rambling routes. Stockhorn and Gornergrat. country skiing. The resort is
best known, however, for
high-altitude golf. Two nine-
33 34 hole courses, plus the legend-
ary Swiss Masters links, with
Monte Rosa Crans-Montana views over the Rhône Valley,
make Crans-Montana
! C6 ! B5/C5 @ ∑ crans-
montana.ch Switzerland’s premier golf
The Monte Rosa massif spans centre. And at this altitude,
Swiss and Italian territory, and The fashionable ski and golf balls fly an incredible 20 per
possesses the highest peak in resort of Crans-Montana lies cent further than at sea level.
EAT
La Brentaz
A family-friendly spot
in the centre of town
serving hearty comfort
food, with plenty of
fresh fish on the menus.
! C5 ⌂ Place Centrale 2,
Vercorin § 027 455 17 01
¢ Mon, Tue
L’Étable du Marais
Traditional Swiss food
and an excellent wine
list, served in a lovingly
restored barn. The rösti
Marais is a specialty.
! C5 ⌂ 3961 Grimentz,
Valais § 027 476 20 18
The winding road up to
the popular ski resort of
Crans-Montana
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