This snowshoe trail begins at the ski lift valley station in Rothwald. It immediately descends into the upper Rothwald forest and then into Jochtwald forest. On the way up to the Mäderlicka panoramic restaurant, the path crosses the ski lift. Once at the top, you can gaze up at the Mäderlücke that gives the restaurant its name and then turn your attention to the Wasenhorn, located on the border between Valais and Italy. In fact, if you listen carefully, you may catch snippets of Italian here and there. The ski area is well known across the border for its open larch forest and wonderfully shady off-piste skiing possibilities.

For snowshoe hikers, the descent begins here, from the highest point of the tour down into the imposing Durstbachschlucht gorge and further into the forest until Durstbachbrücke bridge. Here, there is a fork in the trail. Snowshoe hikers should follow the prepared Wasmerstrasse/piste to reach Wasenalp. The small hamlet with a chapel and mountain restaurant is the perfect place to stop for a break. The location in the larch forest and the views towards the Rhône Valley, Belalp, Glishorn and Bietschhorn and the UNESCO Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage Site are simply magical.

Behind the restaurant, you’ll follow the marked trail via “Hackber” on a zigzagging course down to “d’Obru Egge”. It’s a relatively flat route to the Hotel Ganterwald, where you’ll find a bus stop. Hikers can also reach the starting point by foot via the sidewalk of the national road. For those looking for a challenge, we recommend doing the trail the other way round – the steep ascent up to the gorge will really take it out of you!