About the old Gemmi path

13.32 km long
Difficulty: medium
Condition: medium
Great panorama
Hiking Trail
  • 5:00 h
  • 13.32 km
  • 550 m
  • 1,100 m
  • 1,380 m
  • 2,320 m
  • 940 m
  • Start: Sunnbüel
  • Destination: Leukerbad

Most frequented pass route from the Bernese Oberland to Valais. It is especially impressive due to the high-alpine scenery, the imposing distant view of the Valais Alps, and the unique deep view from the Gemmi Pass height. The descent on the steep, rock-blasted trail to Leukerbad is not suitable for people prone to dizziness or with weak footing. Outside the settlements, it is almost entirely a natural path.

From the scenic mountain station Sunnbüel, the hike leads into the Spittelmatte area. In the larch stands to the right of the path, the small larch lakes are hidden, which are worth a detour. The path then turns, ascending more steeply, to the Schwarenbach mountain hotel, whose guests included Guy de Maupassant, Alexandre Dumas, Mark Twain, Lenin, and Pablo Picasso. Charming is the hike through the typical round hill landscape to the Daubensee in an almost completely vegetation-free area. On the Gemmi Pass, you suddenly stand before the magnificent ring of Valais mountain giants from the Mischabel over Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Matterhorn, and Dent Blanche to Mont Collon. From the hotel, you enjoy a breathtaking deep view of the spa resort Leukerbad, which lies almost 1000 m below. The descent on a good trail over the steeply falling Gemmi wall is entertaining but very steep.

Berner Wanderwege
Berner Wanderwege

Good to know

Pavements

Trail
Path
Asphalt
Street

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Sunnbüel - Schwarenbach - Gemmi Pass - Leukerbad

Equipment

We recommend the following equipment: sturdy mountain boots, medium-sized backpack with hip belt, sun protection, rainwear, hiking poles, pocket first aid kit, picnic, sufficient fluids, mobile phone.

Directions & Parking facilities

Arrival: By train to Kandersteg. Then by bus to the valley station of the Sunnbüel cable car.

Return: By bus from Leukerbad to Leuk train station. From there by train.

Additional information

Bernese Hiking Trails Association, Bern, Tel.: 031 340 01 01, Email: info@beww.ch, Homepage: www.bernerwanderwege.ch

Literature

Hiking suggestion from the hiking book Thunersee - Frutigland, hiking book series of the Bernese hiking trails

License (master data)

Safety guidelines

This route runs partly or entirely on mountain hiking paths.

Map

Swisstopo hiking map 1:50,000 263T Wildstrubel

Nearby

Contact

About the old Gemmi path
Kandersteg