1 Via Alpina
1 Via Alpina

Hiking

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Via Alpina

Stage 13, Griesalp–Kandersteg

Route report
99 photos

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Via Alpina

The king’s stage over the 2778m-high Hohtürli. Rewarding detour to the Blümlisalphütte and eternal glacier ice. Down over moraine to beautiful, deep-blue Oeschinensee backed by steep cliffs; one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Alps.
Stage 13, the crowning part of the Via Alpina across Hohtürli (2778 m), leads past impressive glacier ice and deep blue Lake Oeschinen to Kandersteg. Today’s tour starts at Griesalp. The area all the way back in the Kiental Valley belongs to the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschorn UNESCO World Heritage Site. On Europe’s steepest postbus route it takes about 45 minutes from Reichenbach via Kiental village to Griesalp. From the hotel with the same name the hiking trail leads into the beautiful mountain forest with mostly spruce growing at this altitude. After crossing the treeline you will reach the upper Bundalp in about 90 minutes.

From this intermediary stop the trail continues to climb across beautiful meadows and seems to get steeper every minute. After the meadows the terrain becomes rocky at about 2400 m. When you arrive at “Uf der Wart” you will see the last hurdle before crossing the pass: The remaining approximately 300 altitude meters up steep steps near the forest to Hohtürli are sure to make your heart race. But now, after at least four hours hiking time a side trip to the phenomenal Blüemlisalp Hut is well deserved. The views of Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Schilthorn, Lake Thun, Niesen, Wildi Frau, Blüemlisalphorn and Blüemlisalp Glacier all the way to the Wildstrubel are incomparable.

The rocky trail descends and offers a view of the Kandertal Valley. From above Rossbodensee the Blüemlisalp Glacier suddenly looks huge and magnificent. Lake Oeschinen appears for the first time at the Oberbärgli mountain hut. The deep blue lake is surrounded by 500 m cliffs, glaciers and centuries-old fir trees. This is where the mountain hikers meet up with tourists from around the world. Along Öschibach creek the last descent now follows to Kandersteg at the entrance to the Lötschberg tunnel. Depending on your level of fitness it may require some more willpower to get to the end of this long and physically challenging tour.
The king’s stage over the 2778m-high Hohtürli. Rewarding detour to the Blümlisalphütte and eternal glacier ice. Down over moraine to beautiful, deep-blue Oeschinensee backed by steep cliffs; one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Alps.
Stage 13, the crowning part of the Via Alpina across Hohtürli (2778 m), leads past impressive glacier ice and deep blue Lake Oeschinen to Kandersteg. Today’s tour starts at Griesalp. The area all the way back in the Kiental Valley belongs to the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschorn UNESCO World Heritage Site. On Europe’s steepest postbus route it takes about 45 minutes from Reichenbach via Kiental village to Griesalp. From the hotel with the same name the hiking trail leads into the beautiful mountain forest with mostly spruce growing at this altitude. After crossing the treeline you will reach the upper Bundalp in about 90 minutes.

From this intermediary stop the trail continues to climb across beautiful meadows and seems to get steeper every minute. After the meadows the terrain becomes rocky at about 2400 m. When you arrive at “Uf der Wart” you will see the last hurdle before crossing the pass: The remaining approximately 300 altitude meters up steep steps near the forest to Hohtürli are sure to make your heart race. But now, after at least four hours hiking time a side trip to the phenomenal Blüemlisalp Hut is well deserved. The views of Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Schilthorn, Lake Thun, Niesen, Wildi Frau, Blüemlisalphorn and Blüemlisalp Glacier all the way to the Wildstrubel are incomparable.

The rocky trail descends and offers a view of the Kandertal Valley. From above Rossbodensee the Blüemlisalp Glacier suddenly looks huge and magnificent. Lake Oeschinen appears for the first time at the Oberbärgli mountain hut. The deep blue lake is surrounded by 500 m cliffs, glaciers and centuries-old fir trees. This is where the mountain hikers meet up with tourists from around the world. Along Öschibach creek the last descent now follows to Kandersteg at the entrance to the Lötschberg tunnel. Depending on your level of fitness it may require some more willpower to get to the end of this long and physically challenging tour.
17 km
1450 m | 1700 m
7 h 15 min
medium (mountain hiking trail) | difficult

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Griesalp, Kurhaus
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

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Saving metres in altitude
There is an aerial cableway between Oeschinen (Bergstation) and Kandersteg (Talst. Oeschinen) that saves about 500 metres in altitude.
Hint
Beware: long section, please note overnight accommodation possibility in Blüemlisalp Hut.
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Hints

Guides
There is a guide available for this route.
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Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Kandersteg
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

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Via Alpina hiking pass
With the Via Alpina hiking passbook, you collect 38 stamps with memories to cherish. The stamp stations are located at each stage start and finish. More information about the hiking passbook.
Overview map of all stamp stations

Contact

Gestione della segnaletica
Signposting is managed by the cantonal hiking trail organisation on behalf of the communities.
Schweizer Wanderwege
Monbijoustrasse 61
3000 Bern 23

Services

Accommodation

Naturfreundehaus Gorneren
Naturfreundehaus Gorneren
Kiental
Blümlisalphütte SAC
Blümlisalphütte SAC
Kandersteg
Doldenhornhütte SAC
Doldenhornhütte SAC
Kandersteg
Hotel Victoria Ritter AG
Hotel Victoria Ritter AG
Kandersteg
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Bookable offers

1 Via Alpina: Bear Trek Berner Oberland
1 Via Alpina: Bear Trek Berner Oberland
Bärentrek - Hintere Gasse Meiringen-Adelboden oder Lenk
Bärentrek - Hintere Gasse Meiringen-Adelboden oder Lenk
1 Via Alpina: Vaduz - Montreux
1 Via Alpina: Vaduz - Montreux
Eurotrek Alpin: Hut Trekking Bernese Oberland
Eurotrek Alpin: Hut Trekking Bernese Oberland
1 Via Alpina: Bear Trek Charme
1 Via Alpina: Bear Trek Charme
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Places

Griesalp
Griesalp
Kandersteg
Kandersteg
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Signalization

Signalization
For hiking, follow the logo indicated on the yellow signposts. Take a printout of our web map on your hike for safety's sake.
Signalization