Geological excursion Salassic (Moiry, VS)

On the occasion of the new Tectonic Map of Switzerland 1:500 000 in 2024, swisstopo is organizing a geological excursion to discover the Salassic, a new tectonic unit. The Salassic is composed of rocks that once formed part of the southern margin of the ancient Tethys Ocean. Our Salassic was transported north-westwards by Africa, collided with Eurasia around 50 million years ago and was consequently deformed and metamorphosed. Here it formed a large nappe, which stacked on top of the other units that were in its path. Today the Dent Blanche Nappe covers these rocks of the ancient Tethys Ocean.

We will be able to observe this whole story by hiking up to the Moiry hut. We will continue our journey through time and the formation of the Alps when descending after a good night in the hut 😉!

Useful information

• Meeting point: Bus stop Moiry VS, barrage (map.geo.admin.ch)
• Finish point: Bus stop Moiry VS, glacier (map.geo.admin.ch). At 2:10 pm from Moiry, glacier, bus for Grimentz, télécabine.
• Time: Saturday, July, 19, 2025, 10:10 am until Sunday July, 20, 2025, 2:00 pm. Participants pay their own accommodation cost at the Moiry hut (half board, drinks not included).
• Walking time:
  1^st day: approx. 4 hours. 750 m. ascent, 150 m. descent. Distance 10.6 km.
  2^nd day: approx. 2 hours. 500 m. descent. Distance 4 km.
• Language: french
• Guide: Matthieu Girard, geologist
• Equipment: Surefootedness, good walking shoes, clothing suitable for cold, wet and/or sunny weather. Silk sleeping bag, sleepwear, toiletries and towel. A picnic lunch in your backpack for the first day. A picnic lunch for the second day can be ordered from the Cabane de Moiry (CHF 19.-).

Sign up for the excursion on July, 19-20, 2025