Trekking the Swiss Via Alpina

East to West across Switzerland – the Alpine Pass Route

CICERONE 2023

Guidebook to the Swiss Via Alpina, a 400km trek east-west across Switzerland, with options of detouring along the Alpine Pass Route. This demanding 3-week trek crosses 16 passes, including the 2778m Hohtürli, in a total of 19 stages from Sargans to Montreux, as well as a prologue stage from Liechtenstein. Requires good fitness and experience.

A guidebook to the Swiss Via Alpina, a 400km (250 mile) trek east-to-west across Switzerland, from Sargans to Montreux on Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Previously the Alpine Pass Route, the Via Alpina (VA) is a fully waymarked Swiss national trail that involves nearly 23,000m of ascent and descent over roughly 3 weeks of trekking – a serious challenge suitable for experienced trekkers. The main route is described in 19 stages of 12-29km (8-18 miles), as well as a 27km (17 mile) prologue stage from Liechtenstein and detour stages via Lenk and Gsteig. Comprehensive route description is accompanied by 1:100,000 mapping, route profiles, facilities listings and advice on safety, transport, accommodation and language. Crossing 16 Alpine passes, the VA showcases some of the Switzerland’s most breathtaking mountain landscapes, from flower-strewn meadows to snow-capped peaks including the majestic Todi, Titlis, Wetterhorn, Eiger, Jungfrau and Wildstrubel. Accommodation options range from mountain huts to hotels and inns, with camping available at licensed sites along the route.

CONTENTS

Overview map

Mountain safety

Key to profiles

Map key

Route summary table

12 days on the trail – a two-week trek

Preface

Introduction

The Swiss Via Alpina

Suggested itineraries

Options for the last few stages

When to go

Getting there – and back again

Accommodation

Languages

Notes for walkers

Paths and waymarks

Recommended maps

Apps

Safety in the mountains

Using this guide

Information at a glance

The Swiss Via Alpina

The Liechtenstein start

Prologue Gaflei to Sargans

The main route

Stage 1 Sargans to Weisstannen

Stage 2 Weisstannen to Elm by the Foopass

Stage 3 Elm to Linthal by the Richetlipass

Stage 4 Linthal to Urnerboden by Braunwald

Stage 5 Urnerboden to Altdorf by the Klausenpass

Stage 6 Altdorf to Engelberg by the Surenenpass

Stage 7 Engelberg to Engstlenalp by the Jochpass

Stage 8 Engstlenalp to Meiringen by Planplatten

Stage 9 Meiringen to Grindelwald by Grosse Scheidegg

Stage 10 Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen by Kleine Scheidegg

Stage 11 Lauterbrunnen to Griesalp by the Sefinafurgga

Stage 12 Griesalp to Kandersteg by the Hohtürli

Stage 13 Kandersteg to Adelboden by the Bunderchrinde

Stage 14 Adelboden to Lenk by the Hahnenmoospass

Stage 15 Lenk to Gstaad by the Trütlisbergpass

Stage 16 Gstaad to L’Etivaz by the Col de Jable

Stage 17 L’Etivaz to Rossinière

Stage 18 Rossinière to Rochers de Naye by the Col de Sonlomont

Stage 19 Rochers de Naye to Montreux

Alternative route after Lenk

Stage 15A Lenk to Gsteig by the Trütlisbergpass

Stage 16A Gsteig to Col des Mosses by the Col des Andérets

Appendix A Useful addresses

Appendix B Bibliography

Appendix C German–French–English glossary

Appendix D Stage facilities planner