Aletsch - Via ferrata on the biggest Alpine glacier
Overview
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Hint
Intro
A via ferrata in a lakeside setting, arranged with great originality and with plenty of ironwork: ideal for scrambling up the steep rock above the water. Special highlights are the giant suspension bridge and the final Tyrolienne traverse (can be bypassed if necessary).
Difficulty
K3-4. Technically only a moderately difficult route, and the west bank is somewhat lacking in variety. By contrast, there is plenty of variety on the inward route, with some short steep passages, traverses which force the climber slightly out from the rock face, and the two highlights mentioned above.
Important: pay close attention to the information board at the starting-point, which explains precisely how to use the Tyrolienne traverse. After your "journey into space", first secure yourself again to the via ferrata, and only then unclip yourself from the rope pulley!
Starting-point
Blatten (1,327 m) is reached from Brig-Naters via a mountain road. It is possible to drive further, to the artificial lake of the Gibidum-Stausee (1,436 m), where there is parking.
Aletsch via ferrata
The via ferrata starts immediately from the car park above the concrete wall. Well-secured, you climb through a channel down to the water, before heading into the valley using natural and (a large number of) artificial steps, your left side attached to the wire rope, walking "au bord du lac". When the lake is full, you come very close to the (milky-green) water at several points, each time before making short climbs. The opposite bank gradually comes closer, and then you catch sight of the absolute highlight on this route, the longest via ferrata suspension bridge in the Alps. After this aerial walk high above the (ice-cold) glacier water, the route heads back along the Eastern bank. The steep rocks of the Stockflüe call for a vigorous effort, and this is followed by a few very open traverses which also force the climber slightly out from the rock face (including some with wooden safety beams); depending on the water level, the degree of clearance varies. Lastly, you have the Tyrolienne traverse, which it is now possible to bypass. One tip for this is to use the rope which pulls the pulley along as a brake.
 | Quelle: Eugen E. Hüsler/Daniel Anker: Wandern vertikal. Die Klettersteige der Schweiz, AT Verlag, Baden 2004 |
Region: Southern Bernese Alps, Rhône valley
Peak/Highest point: Stausee Gibidum (artificial lake, approx. 1480 m)
Time required: 3 hours for the circuit
Variation in height: Negligible
