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Not surprisingly it is the block of the Dents du Midi that attracts most of the attention of visitors to the Val d’Illiez. Seen from almost everywhere in the valley this abrupt wall, with its clean strata lines picked out by snow from autumn through to early summer, culminates in a row of seven prominent peaks – the famed dents or teeth. Aligned roughly northeast to southwest, these seven dents are: Cime de l’Est, La Forteresse, Cathédrale, Eperon, Dent Jaune, Les Doigts, and the highest of them all, the Haute Cime at 3257m.

Although not particularly high by comparison with summits in the nearby Mont Blanc or Pennine ranges, the Dents du Midi give every impression of being big mountains, and while there are only three small glaciers, and the rock is said to vary from good to mediocre and even bad, the range offers some fine expeditions. Generally speaking, the easiest routes are to be found on the west and south sides; the more difficult ascents being made on the north and east flanks. Most of the climbing takes place in the snow-free months of July to early October, but the Haute Cime is also climbed in winter on ski.