Over the Langermatte to the Iffigenalp

The day begins with an ascent along the spraying Simmen Falls to the Barbarabrücke. Over several cascades, large amounts of water plunge over stone and envelop the surroundings in a mist of water. The Barbarabrücke or the dam in front of the waterfall is a weir for diverting the young Simme. This measure to protect the valley floor from flooding was already taken in the late 18th century. Barbara was the first name of the wife of the then director of the Kurhaus, who initiated and financed the development of the Simmen Falls and the weir for tourists. The path winds up through the forest. Deep cuts, which the Simme has carved into the rock, can be seen. Arriving at Alp Rezliberg, we are at the birthplace of the Simme. At the foot of the mighty limestone wall, the Simme emerges white and foaming. In summer, up to 2800 liters per second flow over the seven springs, called Siebenbrünnen. The path continues over alpine meadows past herdsmen’s huts to the Langermatte. According to a legend, the following happened on the Langermatte:

An impressive image from the time of the religious conflicts on this and the other side of the Rawil is conveyed to us by the legend of the "Wyberschlacht" on the Langermatte: When the able-bodied men of the Lenk had gone down the valley to the religious war, the hostile Valaisans invaded over the Wallisberg (Rawil) and stole the cattle from the Lenkians on the Langermatte. Beyond the pass, the Valaisans let the stolen cattle graze calmly and gave the Fendant plenty of praise. Then the boys from Lenk, led by the chamois hunter Siegfried, who had pursued the chamois in the Flühen during the departure of the militiamen, climbed over the Rawil and found their quietly grazing herd again. Carefully, some boys took the bells and cowbells off the animals’ necks and rang them themselves, until the others had driven the cattle to the pass. Then Siegfried threw a large cowbell with full force through a window into the room where the Valaisans were carousing. To their horror, they had to realize that the Lenki cattle had disappeared. As soon as their heavy heads allowed, they started out in a warlike mood for the Lenk. However, the Lenkians, especially the women, were meanwhile armed with scythes and pitchforks. Courageously, they attacked the approaching Valaisans and put them to flight. The Lenki women had won. When the Lenki warriors returned home, they were quite astonished at the women's readiness to fight. "Bi de Toete" is still the name of the place where the fallen were buried on the Langermatte. With the banner and sword in the lower part, the municipal coat of arms still reminds of the "Wyberschlacht" on the Langermatte today. The upper part of the coat of arms represents the Siebenbrunnen as the origin of the Simme.

The Iffigenalp is now reached all too quickly over alpine meadows. The stately mountain house already awaits with a sun terrace. On the return to the village of Lenk, the Iffigfall is passed. Whether on foot or by bus, be sure to take a look at the fall, where masses of water plunge about 120 meters over the rock.