On the Ochsen circular route via Morgetegrat and Grenchegalm

15.12 km long
Round trip
Difficulty: medium
Condition: medium
Great panorama
Hiking Trail
  • 5:30 h
  • 15.12 km
  • 880 m
  • 880 m
  • 1,385 m
  • 1,949 m
  • 564 m
  • Start: Untere Gantrischhütte
  • Destination: Untere Gantrischhütte
Varied mountain hike around the peaks Bürglen and Ochsen and over the alpine pastures of Morgete and Ripprächten open toward the Simmental. The two mountain passes Morgetegrat and Grenchegalm also form the highest points of this challenging route. Almost entirely natural paths. The Gantrisch area is a military training ground. Information about military shooting exercises can be obtained by phone at 031 324 25 25.

The healing spring of Schwefelbergbad has been historically known since the 16th century. From the hotel, one of the last witnesses to Bernese spa culture, follow briefly the Schwefelberg road built in 1925, then turn onto the old alpine trail which leads up the northern slope of the Birehubel to the Ritzhütte. Over the foaming Gantrisch-Sense, one crosses to the Untere Gantrischhütte. Fir-forested pastures surround the lake surface of the Gantrischseeli, at which point you ascend to the Obere Gantrischhütte. Now continue on the mountain pass trail, which was newly laid out by troops during the last active military service period (1939–45). Always climbing steeper, it winds from the Chummlihütte up to the pass height of Morgetegrat. The view here is magnificent: the horizon is bounded by Balmhorn, Wildstrubel, Wildhorn, and Les Diablerets. Below, you look toward the green hills of the Simmental.
On the Simmental side, it goes very steeply down to the herders' huts of Obrist- and Mittlist Morgete (to Undrist Morgete–Weissenburg 2h30). The path then almost levels out near the treeline to the alpine hut Sunnig Ripprächten. Between large rock debris, one then climbs to the Schattigseeli, in which the rock mounds of Alpiglemären are reflected (to Lochegg–Oberwil 2h10). In a few minutes, the pass height of Grenchegalm is reached. Beautiful view back over the alpine basin to the Stockhorn (to the Widdersgrind viewpoint 40 min, caution!). Impressive deep view into the Hengstschlund to the alpine pastures Grencheberg and Seeberg. On a narrow path, it now goes over pasture and through wooded rockfall area, then very steeply down to the Frilismad hut. On almost flat path, the trail turns into the large alpine basin of Ober Alpigle. The sheer cliff walls of Alpiglemären and Ochsen rise steeply over the herders' hut. Through forest tongues, grassy gulches, and rockfall areas, the trail passes the Ritz hut through the steeply sloping flank of the Louigrat down into the valley of the Gantrisch-Sense and back to the Schwefelbergbad.

Berner Wanderwege
Berner Wanderwege

Good to know

Pavements

Street
Trail
Path
Asphalt

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Untere Gantrischhütte - Morgetegrat - Grenchegalm - Schwefelbergbad - Untere Gantrischhütte

Equipment

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

Directions & Parking facilities

Various parking lots at the watershed (tank plates)
Arrival and departure: By postal bus from Thurnen station via Riggsiberg and Gurnigel to Untere Gantrischhütte.

Additional information

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

Literature

Hiking suggestion from the hiking book Region Bern - Gantrisch, hiking book series by BWW

License (master data)

Safety guidelines

This route runs wholly or partly on signposted paths of the mountain hiking trail category

 

Map

Swisstopo hiking map 1:50,000 253T Gantrisch

Nearby

Address

On the Ochsen circular route via Morgetegrat and Grenchegalm
Rüschegg