Hiking

Turtmanntaler Aussichtsweg
Gruben–Gigi Oberstafel–Gruben

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Turtmanntaler Aussichtsweg
Gruben–Gigi Oberstafel–Gruben
The name says it all: with views of the stunning Turtmann Glacier and the mountain range on the other side of the valley, the high-altitude trail leads through the pristine landscape to Holustei. After the descent through the forest, the route follows the lovely Turtmänna creek back to Gruben/Meiden.
The unspoiled Turtmann Valley is situated between the Turmtann Glacier in the south and the Rhone in the north. It is the western-most German-speaking southern valley in the Valais. Clusters of Alpine huts are perched on the valley floor and on the slopes. Once used to summer the cattle, they have mostly been converted to holiday chalets. But there is also the baroque chapel in Meiden from the early 18th century and Hotel Schwarzhorn in Gruben/Meiden where the loop trail starts.
The trail first leads in the direction of Augstbordpass with several switchbacks through the forest. Shortly before Alp Grüebu Mittelstafel it branches off in southern direction and into the valley. Here on the panoramic trail the name says it all: at the end of the valley the hikers catch sight of Turtmann Lake and the glacier which originates at the north-western slope of Bishorn. On the other side of the valley are Meidhorn, Turtmannspitze and Les Diabons. The latter is the southern-most peak of the mountain range that separates the Turtmann Valley from Val d’Anniviers and forms the German/French language border. Through the untouched landscape the trail continues above the forest to Holustei. Herdsmen once used the large hollowed-out boulder for protection or to sleep in. The view from the Holustei chapel to the Turtmann Glacier is stunning. Turtmann Hut is the starting point for Barrhorn (3610 m), one of Europe’s highest hiking peaks, where no climbing equipment is needed.
The trail now descends relatively steeply through larch and pine forests. Near Vorder Sänntum it reaches the Turtmannä, a Rhone tributary, originating from the Turtmann Glacier at 2300 m. Follow the lovely creek on the left side. This is where the Pfyn-Finges nature park begins. Across mountain pastures the trail approaches the Blüomatt cheese-making shop and show dairy. Across the Turtmänna and past the small chapel, forming the border between the hamlets of Gruben and Meiden, the road leads back to the starting point.
The trail first leads in the direction of Augstbordpass with several switchbacks through the forest. Shortly before Alp Grüebu Mittelstafel it branches off in southern direction and into the valley. Here on the panoramic trail the name says it all: at the end of the valley the hikers catch sight of Turtmann Lake and the glacier which originates at the north-western slope of Bishorn. On the other side of the valley are Meidhorn, Turtmannspitze and Les Diabons. The latter is the southern-most peak of the mountain range that separates the Turtmann Valley from Val d’Anniviers and forms the German/French language border. Through the untouched landscape the trail continues above the forest to Holustei. Herdsmen once used the large hollowed-out boulder for protection or to sleep in. The view from the Holustei chapel to the Turtmann Glacier is stunning. Turtmann Hut is the starting point for Barrhorn (3610 m), one of Europe’s highest hiking peaks, where no climbing equipment is needed.
The trail now descends relatively steeply through larch and pine forests. Near Vorder Sänntum it reaches the Turtmannä, a Rhone tributary, originating from the Turtmann Glacier at 2300 m. Follow the lovely creek on the left side. This is where the Pfyn-Finges nature park begins. Across mountain pastures the trail approaches the Blüomatt cheese-making shop and show dairy. Across the Turtmänna and past the small chapel, forming the border between the hamlets of Gruben and Meiden, the road leads back to the starting point.
The name says it all: with views of the stunning Turtmann Glacier and the mountain range on the other side of the valley, the high-altitude trail leads through the pristine landscape to Holustei. After the descent through the forest, the route follows the lovely Turtmänna creek back to Gruben/Meiden.
The unspoiled Turtmann Valley is situated between the Turmtann Glacier in the south and the Rhone in the north. It is the western-most German-speaking southern valley in the Valais. Clusters of Alpine huts are perched on the valley floor and on the slopes. Once used to summer the cattle, they have mostly been converted to holiday chalets. But there is also the baroque chapel in Meiden from the early 18th century and Hotel Schwarzhorn in Gruben/Meiden where the loop trail starts.
The trail first leads in the direction of Augstbordpass with several switchbacks through the forest. Shortly before Alp Grüebu Mittelstafel it branches off in southern direction and into the valley. Here on the panoramic trail the name says it all: at the end of the valley the hikers catch sight of Turtmann Lake and the glacier which originates at the north-western slope of Bishorn. On the other side of the valley are Meidhorn, Turtmannspitze and Les Diabons. The latter is the southern-most peak of the mountain range that separates the Turtmann Valley from Val d’Anniviers and forms the German/French language border. Through the untouched landscape the trail continues above the forest to Holustei. Herdsmen once used the large hollowed-out boulder for protection or to sleep in. The view from the Holustei chapel to the Turtmann Glacier is stunning. Turtmann Hut is the starting point for Barrhorn (3610 m), one of Europe’s highest hiking peaks, where no climbing equipment is needed.
The trail now descends relatively steeply through larch and pine forests. Near Vorder Sänntum it reaches the Turtmannä, a Rhone tributary, originating from the Turtmann Glacier at 2300 m. Follow the lovely creek on the left side. This is where the Pfyn-Finges nature park begins. Across mountain pastures the trail approaches the Blüomatt cheese-making shop and show dairy. Across the Turtmänna and past the small chapel, forming the border between the hamlets of Gruben and Meiden, the road leads back to the starting point.
The trail first leads in the direction of Augstbordpass with several switchbacks through the forest. Shortly before Alp Grüebu Mittelstafel it branches off in southern direction and into the valley. Here on the panoramic trail the name says it all: at the end of the valley the hikers catch sight of Turtmann Lake and the glacier which originates at the north-western slope of Bishorn. On the other side of the valley are Meidhorn, Turtmannspitze and Les Diabons. The latter is the southern-most peak of the mountain range that separates the Turtmann Valley from Val d’Anniviers and forms the German/French language border. Through the untouched landscape the trail continues above the forest to Holustei. Herdsmen once used the large hollowed-out boulder for protection or to sleep in. The view from the Holustei chapel to the Turtmann Glacier is stunning. Turtmann Hut is the starting point for Barrhorn (3610 m), one of Europe’s highest hiking peaks, where no climbing equipment is needed.
The trail now descends relatively steeply through larch and pine forests. Near Vorder Sänntum it reaches the Turtmannä, a Rhone tributary, originating from the Turtmann Glacier at 2300 m. Follow the lovely creek on the left side. This is where the Pfyn-Finges nature park begins. Across mountain pastures the trail approaches the Blüomatt cheese-making shop and show dairy. Across the Turtmänna and past the small chapel, forming the border between the hamlets of Gruben and Meiden, the road leads back to the starting point.
Length | Number of stages
13 km
| 1 Stage
Ascent | Descent
860 m | 860 m
Hiking time
4 h 40 min
Grade | Fitness level
medium
(mountain hiking trail)
|
medium
Arrival | return travel
Season
Season
Beware: snowfields possible into summer months on high-level sections.
Arrival | return travel
More …
Consideration
Area with livestock guardian dogs: Close to the mountain pasture Turtmannschafalp you may encounter livestock guardian dogs from mid-May till the end of September. Respecting rules helps avoid problems. Please consider the information boards on site for the current location of the dogs.
Interactive map
Contact
Turtmanntal Tourismus, InfoCenter
Dorfstrasse
3946 Turtmann
Tel. +41 (0)27 932 34 18
info@turtmanntal.ch
www.turtmanntal.ch
Dorfstrasse
3946 Turtmann
Tel. +41 (0)27 932 34 18
info@turtmanntal.ch
www.turtmanntal.ch