Definition
Piz Sarsura is a mountain peak in the Albula Alps of the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland, with an elevation of 3,178 m (10,427 ft) above sea level.
Overview
Located east of Piz Vadret, Piz Sarsura lies within the Swiss Alps and forms part of the alpine ridge that separates two glaciers: the Vadret da Grialetsch on its north‑west flank and the Vadret da Sarsura on its north‑east flank. The mountain’s summit coordinates are 46°41′30.4″ N, 9°59′44.1″ E. The nearest mountain hut is the Chamanna da Grialetsch, situated on the north side of the peak. The mountain is accessed primarily by mountaineers and ski tourers, with routes documented on regional climbing guides and online platforms such as SummitPost and Hikr.
Etymology / Origin
The name combines the Romansh word Piz, meaning “peak,” with Sarsura, which corresponds to the name of the adjacent valley (Val Sarsura) and the associated glacier (Vadret da Sarsura). The exact linguistic origin of “Sarsura” is not definitively documented, but it is generally interpreted as a local toponym of Romansh or pre‑Romansh origin.
Characteristics
- Elevation: 3,178 m (10,427 ft)
- Prominence: 164 m (538 ft)
- Parent Peak: Piz Vadret
- Glacial Context: Overlooks Vadret da Grialetsch (NW) and Vadret da Sarsura (NE).
- Summits: Some mountaineering sources describe two nearby summits—a western summit at 3,178 m and an eastern summit at 3,174 m—though the primary listed elevation corresponds to the western point.
- Access: Commonly approached from the Zernez region via ski touring routes that ascend through Val Sarsura, often beginning at Crastatscha (≈1,440 m). The Chamanna da Grialetsch provides a base for multi‑day excursions.
Related Topics
- Albula Alps
- Graubünden (Grisons) canton
- Swiss Alps mountain classification (Alpine three‑thousanders)
- Piz Vadret (parent peak)
- Vadret da Grialetsch and Vadret da Sarsura (glaciers)
- Chamanna da Grialetsch (mountain hut)
- Alpine mountaineering and ski touring in eastern Switzerland.