Plizio Visual Lab

Dent Blanche

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

peak

Weather…

Standing at 4,357 meters, the Dent Blanche is one of the highest and most striking peaks in the Pennine Alps. Located west of Zermatt, it forms the southern terminus of the Val d'Hérens. The mountain is renowned for its nearly ice-free, rocky appearance and its four sharp ridges that point almost exactly in the four cardinal directions. Despite its name meaning 'White Tooth,' the peak often appears darker than its neighbors; this is believed to be the result of a historical naming error involving the Dent d'Hérens. The first ascent was achieved on July 12, 1862, by Thomas Stuart Kennedy and William Wigram, guided by Jean-Baptiste Croz and Johann Kronig. Geologically, the Dent Blanche is composed of gneiss and granite belonging to the Dent-Blanche nappe, which is a remnant of the African tectonic plate. Due to its exposure and technical difficulty, climbing the Dent Blanche remains a coveted prize for experienced high-altitude mountaineers.

Location: Switzerland
Top sights: Ober Gabelhorn · Mont Durand · Pointe de Zinal
Nearby: Zermatt (10 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-10	-10	-6	-1	4	8	10	10	6	2	-4	-9
Rain mm	63	50	63	70	109	97	96	99	68	72	91	68

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

The Dent Blanche is typically approached from the Val d'Hérens, with the multi-hour trek from Ferpècle to the Cabane de la Dent Blanche serving as the primary starting point for the peak.

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Best season

Ascents are almost exclusively possible during mid-summer (July and August), when the rocks are mostly free of snow and weather conditions remain stable on the highly exposed ridge.

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Terrain & paths

This is a very demanding high-altitude tour featuring difficult climbing on mixed terrain (rock and ice), requiring absolute sure-footedness and extensive mountaineering experience.

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What to bring

Full high-altitude and climbing gear is mandatory, including a helmet, double ropes, quickdraws, crampons, and an ice axe for safely navigating the various glacier fields and ridges.

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Parking

Vehicles can be left at the end of the road in Ferpècle at the designated hikers' parking areas before continuing the long ascent to the SAC mountain hut on foot for the overnight stay.

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Safety

The tour is extremely exposed and dangerous during sudden weather changes; rockfall risks and complex navigation on the ridge often make hiring a professional mountain guide advisable.

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Time needed

Typically, the tour is split into two days: Day 1 for reaching the hut (approx. 4-5 hours) and Day 2 for the summit attempt and full descent (totaling approximately 10-12 hours of effort).