Vertical Meditation: Moiry Via Ferrata - Complete Guide
- Pause to Play
- Sep 16
- 5 min read
Some places ask for silence — not an absence of sound, but the full presence of attention. For me, the call often comes from mountains. This time, it led to the steel-threaded face of the Moiry Via Ferrata above the impossible turquoise of Lac de Moiry in Grimentz.
For years, my climb looked different—deadlines instead of anchors, exposure measured in expectations. Stepping off that ladder for an intentional pause has meant recalibrating what challenge and reward feel like. Now I seek experiences that don’t fight for my attention but inhabit it.
Moiry is exactly that: a vertical conversation with stone. The moment you clip the first carabiner, the world contracts to the few feet in front of you —hand placement, breath, the quiet certainty of a well-fitted harness. Fear and resolve start their negotiation. You show up, one secure clip at a time.
Contents
Story — A Dialogue with Gravity
The opening wall is frank and vertical. Multitasking evaporates; breath takes its place.
Click-clack of gates, rubber on rock, pulse in your ears. The Moiry dam curves far below like a drawn bow holding a lake the color of another planet. The view is generous; the void is honest. It reminds you that every move matters—and that your body remembers more than your calendar thinks it does.
Further along comes the crux: a short overhanging traverse that asks for your trust. To move, you have to lean into space—trusting steel, trusting yourself. Heart loud. Hands sure.
Topping out, muscles hum and mind clears. What lands isn’t triumph so much as gratitude—for strength that showed up when asked, for focus that softened the noise, for beauty so large it quiets you without trying. Moiry is meditation in motion—proof that stillness can live inside a very vertical day.
Route Breakdown — Section by Section
Times are for a fit party with normal photo pauses. Adjust for traffic, weather, and variants.
1) Approach — 10–15 min
Start: Moiry Dam car park (base of dam wall).
Route: ~150 m along the road toward the tunnel → signed path right to the start.
Notes: Helmet on; quick gear check before clipping in.
2) Opening Wall — steep, exposed (15–25 min)
Grade feel: B–C (≈ K2–K3) on sound rock with continuous rungs.
Key cues: Hips close to the wall, legs do the work, steady clip–step–breath cadence.
Common issue: Over-gripping → forearm pump. Fix with shorter steps and straighter arms where possible.
3) Terrace Traverse & Escape Nr. 1 — easier angle (10–15 min)
Grade feel: B/C → B (≈ K2–K3) on a narrow ledge with good stances.
Option: Marked escape to footpath. Use if pumped, time-pressed, or weather turns.
Watch for: Loose gravel on ledge; three points of contact.
4) Crux Overhang — short, powerful (10–20 min incl. rests)
Grade feel: D/E (≈ K5) across 2–3 short sequences of overhanging moves.
Technique: Drive from feet, keep arms as straight as possible, micro-rest at anchors, pace your clips.
Commitment: No convenient bail during the crux—decide before you enter it.
5) Play Features — rope net + optional zipline (15–30 min)
Rope net: B/C–C (≈ K3) Airy but manageable; stay close to the mesh, keep clips short to limit swing.
Zipline (optional): ~85 m. Use only with an approved pulley; if you don’t have it, skip and stay on the standard line.
Flow: Expect short waits if busy; manage spacing and do not pass at anchors.
6) Ridge Finish & Exit — scenic, easier (descent 20–30 min)
Terrain: A–B/C (≈ K1–K3) to top-out above the dam.
Exit: Marked path down to the dam; many walkers cross the dam wall back to the car park.
Conditions: Wind can be strong on the ridge—add a layer before you cool down.
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Know Before You Go to Moiry Via Ferrata
Difficulty: Advanced-intermediate to advanced. Commonly described as K4–K5 / “difficult–very difficult” with two escape options. Comfort with exposure is essential.
Fitness: Solid legs, decent arm endurance. If you tend to “pull” with your biceps, you’ll fatigue—move from the hips, drive with feet.
Season: Typically mid-June to end-October, weather and access dependent. Dry rock only; wind at the dam can be chilly.
Time: 1.5–2.5 h on the cable; ~2.5–4 h round-trip including approach, descent, and photos.
Who should skip: Absolute beginners; anyone with severe vertigo; storm-day optimists.
Getting There
By Car: Drive to Barrage de Moiry above Grimentz (Val d’Anniviers, Valais). Large car park near the base of the dam wall; the start is a short signed walk.
Public Transport: Train to Sierre/Siders, then PostBus into Val d’Anniviers toward “Moiry, barrage.” From the stop, it’s a brief walk to the start.
Base map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) Gear & Rentals
Required: certified via ferrata set (energy-absorbing lanyards), climbing harness, helmet.
Recommended: gloves (for steel cable), grippy approach shoes, wind layer, 1–1.5 L water, snacks, small first-aid, sun protection.
Rentals: Seasonal rentals are often available at/near the dam restaurant or in sports shops in Grimentz (call ahead shoulder-season).
Zipline note: Only ride with the correct pulley; many standard lanyards don’t include it. If unsure, skip the zipline and stay on the main line.
Safety & Technique — Micro-Cues That Help
One carabiner at a time. Always clipped to the cable.
Legs > arms. Hips close; press from feet; arms straight when possible.
Three points. Move one limb at a time; pause to breathe at anchors.
Spacing. Give a full anchor between parties; never pass at an anchor.
Weather discipline. No thunderstorms. Wet steel + exposure = no.
Altitude effect. The dam sits high—hydrate, snack, layer early.
Emergency numbers. EU 112; Swiss mountain rescue 1414 (REGA).
Photo Spots & Leave No Trace
Dam wall: Wide-angle drama; early morning light is kind to the lake’s color.
Ridge exit: Candid, windswept summit vibes.
On route: Keep phones leashed. Safety first; photos second.
LNT: Stay on paths, pack out snacks, keep noise low—sound echoes.
Half-Day Itinerary (example)
09:00 Arrive at dam / gear check & coffee.
09:20 Walk to start (10–15 min).
09:40–11:30 On the route (add time for features/photos).
11:40 Descent; stroll the dam wall for shots.
12:15 Lunch by the lake; two minutes of quiet gratitude.
FAQ
Is it doable for first-timers?
Not ideal. Consider an easier ferrata first; Moiry is exposed and physical, though it has two escape options.
Do I need gloves?
Highly recommended—steel cables can be tough on hands.
What about the zipline?
Treat it as optional fun if you have the proper pulley and are comfortable with the setup. Otherwise skip it and stay on the standard line.
Will I need a guide?
If you’re new to exposure, a guide adds safety and confidence. For experienced ferratisti, the route is well-equipped and intuitive.
What’s the best time of day?
Mornings often bring calmer winds and fewer crowds. Avoid storm forecasts.
"Moiry is more than steel and rock. It's a mirror where you can see how you react under pressure, how quiet focus can be, and the profound reward of trusting yourself, step by step. It's one of those vertical pauses that recharges you for a long time.
And you, where do you find your meditation in motion?" Leave a comment ;-)
Great blog♡