Garde de Bordon - A rocky hike in a circle of 4000ers

🗺️ Overview

• Start point: Grimentz, télécabine to Espace Weisshorn (2700 m)

• Highest point: Garde de Bordon (~3310 m)

• Elevation gain: ~840 m (from Espace Weisshorn A/R including Corne de Sorebois)

• Distance: ~9.4km (from Espace Weisshorn A/R including Corne de Sorebois)

• Hiking time: ~2 h 15 up, ~1 h 30 down (excluding detours)

• Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

• Highlights: Ladder climb up a rock pillar, panoramic views of several 4000 m peaks, Lac de Moiry and glacier, optional Corne de Sorebois detour

• Return options: Same way back via Espace Weisshorn or long descent to Lac de Moiry with bus back to Grimentz

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It was a sunny August day when I set out for Garde de Bordon. The hike starts in Grimentz, and when I arrived I spotted the télécabine coming down. I sprinted to catch the next one as it runs every 15 minutes.

The ride itself is spectacular: over 1000 m of elevation in 10 minutes, with a particularly vertiginous first section. At the top, you arrive at Espace Weisshorn, a sleek restaurant perched at 2700 m. But I wasn’t there for cappuccinos (not yet, anyway) — my goal was the rugged ridge directly opposite the station.

The trail starts to the right, climbing the winter slope toward Corne de Sorebois (2900 m). You don’t need to summit it — just cut below the chairlift to reach Col de Sorebois (2850 m). From here, while you could descend to Barrage de Moiry, I turned upward along the ridge.

At first, a broad winter slope heads gently downhill. After 5–10 minutes, a smaller path branches right from the main track — this is the way to Garde de Bordon. It’s well-trodden but oddly unmarked with official panels for the summit. You’ll cross a hill via a narrow path emerging near the top of a ski lift. This section could also be reached by staying on the main road, but the smaller trail likely has less uphill.

Beyond the ski lift, the path climbs a rocky slope, turning onto the ridge for a brief taste of high mountain terrain. For a couple of minutes, it’s barely a foot wide — just enough space for each step — before widening into a small grassy valley. The trail is less obvious here; it climbs rightward, wrapping around the mountain.

Next comes the trickiest section: a slope of loose rock where the route isn’t obvious. You need sure footing and a bit of mountain sense, but it’s over in 5 minutes. At the too looking back you'll see the ridge you went over. Above 3000 m now, the ridge broadens until a rock pillar blocks the way.

Here the fun begins: a short section with metal ropes (easy, but exposed) leads to the star feature — a rung ladder, about 10–12 m high. Only the first 6–7 m feel exposed; after that, it rests against rock ledges. It’s not technical but definitely not for those with severe vertigo. From above, the ladder looks even more impressive. A final stretch of rope (50 m or so) marks the end of this mini via ferrata.

Past this point, the ridge widens and the difficulty drops. The path dips slightly, then climbs again toward the summit. You’ll pass curious avalanche-control tubes and their small shelters (four tubes, two shelters in total). The final 100 m require occasional use of hands but are easier than earlier sections.

I reached Garde de Bordon in about 2 h 15, taking my time for photos. At the top, a large cairn marks the summit, and the panorama is superb: a ring of 4000 m giants — Dent Blanche, Dent d’Hérens, Zinalhorm, Weisshorn — and below, Lac de Moiry with its glacier. With binoculars (or a good zoom), you can spot Cabane de Moiry.

At the top the Swiss expressed all their fun by placing a post bus stop panel marking "Gare de Bordon".

I lingered for photos, including on a small ridge perfect for dramatic shots if you have a photographer friend.

For the descent, you can:

• Continue on the other side for a long 1200 m drop to Lac de Moiry and catch the post bus bus back to Grimentz.

• Retrace your steps to Espace Weisshorn — my choice, mainly in hope of one of my high-altitude cappuccinos.

The way back felt easier, familiarity removing the uncertainty, and I reached Col de Sorebois in about 1 h 30. Still feeling energetic, I added the 50 m climb to Corne de Sorebois, then descended to Espace Weisshorn. I’d just missed a cabin, so — perfect excuse — I sat down for that cappuccino with Weisshorn views.