- 3:30 h
- 1.44 km
- 533 m
- 1,187 m
- 1,720 m
- 533 m
- Start: Kandersteg / valley station Allmenalp cable car
- Destination: Kandersteg / mountain station Allmenalp cableway
A scenically outstanding via ferrata over a 350 meter high wall structured by pillars and ravines, over and through which the Allmibach cascades with four waterfalls. For 20 years, paragliders found promising updrafts in this sunlit wall in the morning. Since summer 2005, just near the northern portal of the Lötschberg tunnel, via ferrata climbers also ascend here on a cleverly and surprisingly laid out route that does not artificially seek verticality, but also does not avoid it. The Kandersteg-Allmenalp via ferrata was developed with the involvement of the Köppel brothers, who are also responsible for the Leukerbad via ferrata, the longest and most challenging installation in Switzerland. Thus, in the north and south of the Gemmi Pass, whose brave path construction from the 18th century still causes shivers today, modern iron routes exist for mountaineers who consciously and safely seek dizzying feelings. The Kandersteg route is direct and not really suited for timid beginners. However, there are always ledges where you can catch your breath and calm the heartbeat.
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
Approach From Kandersteg train station along the hiking route upstream. At the confluence of the Allmibach with the Kander, turn right and follow north of the creek to the start at about 1250 m. From the valley station of the Allmenalp aerial cableway, after passing a farmstead, cross the creek on a private bridge to reach the above route.
Route Up a 100 meter high, partly vertical wall keeping left. Across a Nepal bridge (three-rope bridge) over the Allmibach. A grassy slope leads to the step with the 10-meter outward-hanging roof, which is overcome by a unique construction (suspended walkway and ladder rotating 180 degrees). To the left of the second-lowest waterfall, ascend a ridge behind which the Allmibach roars and cascades. A second Nepal bridge crosses it again – bold via ferrata climbers naturally choose the variation further up with the ride on a 40 meter long zip line. Finally over a last wall to the exit at about 1600 m. In 20 minutes uphill to Undere Allme (1723 m) with the mountain station of the Allmenalp cable car and the restaurant. Cheers to one of the most promising via ferratas in Switzerland.
Equipment
The via ferrata equipment can be rented at the sports shops in Kandersteg as well as directly at the valley station of the Allmenalp aerial cableway. The rental costs CHF 25 per person per day.
Directions & Parking facilities
Additional information
Kandersteg Tourism, 3718 Kandersteg, Phone 033 675 80 80, www.kandersteg.ch.
Allmenalp aerial cableway, Phone 033 675 16 90, info@allmenalp.ch.
Literature
Daniel Anker: Bernese Oberland West, Rother hiking guide. Hüsler’s via ferrata guide Western Alps, Bruckmann Verlag, Munich.
License (master data)
Safety guidelines
Difficulty: K4; key point is the vertical wall after the start, the most spectacular passage is the walk under and over the roof overhang. Two Nepal bridges about 30 meters long each cross the Allmibach; instead of the upper bridge you can also zip over the water on a zip line. Two more zip lines are planned, leading from the via ferrata to the right onto a rock head and back to the route – they will provide additional adrenaline boosts. The Kandersteg-Allmenalp via ferrata is open from early June to mid-October – when the Allmenalp aerial cableway is operating.
Map
National map 1:25,000, sheet 1247 Adelboden; 1:50,000, sheet 263 T Wildstrubel.
Nearby
