Hikes

Glacier trail and Lämmeren mountain refuge

Leukerbad

-6/-1°

Hike along the glacier trail across the Lämmerenboden plateau, from the Gemmi Pass to the Lämmeren hut. Located at the foot of the Wildstrubel massif, the refuge offers fine views of the Valais Alps.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

9.34 km

Duration

3:15 h

Ausblick auf dem Lämmerengletscher und dem Schwarzhorn

Ausblick auf dem Schneehorn und Wildstrubel

Description

Discover the dramatic rocky Alpine terrain around the Wildstrubel massif on this hike to the Lämmeren mountain refuge and back. The route crosses the Lämmerenboden plateau, with its fissured calcareous rock and mounds of schist. The warden of the Lämmeren hut has created a glacier trail here in collaboration with the University of Bern. Along the trail, information stations provide fascinating information on the geology, landscape features and biology of this unique environment. A brochure on the theme trail is available.

At the far end of Lämmerenboden, a climb of about 200 vertical metres leads to the Lämmeren refuge. Difficult passages are secured with chains. With a little luck, you may spot some of the ibex that regularly gather in the vicinity of the hut. Assorted trails offer the chance to explore the surrounding landscapes; climbing enthusiasts can choose from a number of routes of varying difficulty.

For the return leg of the hike, follow the same route back as far as Lämmerenboden, and then walk eastwards to the Lämmerensee lake. When you reach the left bank of the Lämmerendalu river, you rejoin the glacier trail. A little before the Daubensee lake, the trail branches to the right to return to the Gemmi Pass.

Turn-by-turn directions

The hike begins at the Gemmi Pass, which you can reach by cable car or on foot from Leukerbad. The trail climbs very gently along the Lämmerendalu river across the Lämmerenboden plateau. Before the final climb to the Swiss Alpine Club hut, about 200 vertical metres higher, you cross the river and then follow a well-made trail up to the mountain refuge. Afterwards, return to Lämmerenboden via the same route. Once you reach the plateau, take the left turning in the direction of the Lämmerensee lake, and then follow the left bank of the Lämmerendalu back towards the Gemmi Pass.

Start

Gemmi Pass (2337m)

Destination

Gemmi Pass (2337m)

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Author's recommendation

Pause for a break at the Lämmeren refuge and enjoy the fruit tart, freshly baked every day.

You can extend the hike by about an hour and a half by following a different route back from the cabin: not across Lämmerenboden but via Rote Totz Lücke, Rote Chumme and the Daubensee.

The shores of the Daubensee offer a refreshing spot to relax for a while. The water of the Lämmerendalu river flows out of the lake via an underground route and only resurfaces more than 1,200 vertical metres lower down, below the village of Varen.

Technical information

Altitude

2502m

2256m

Ascent

+460m

Descent

-460m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Leuk can be reached by train (SBB), then by bus (LLB - Leuk Leukerbad Bus Reisen) to the starting point in Leukerbad and up to the Gemmi Pass on the Gemmi cable car.

Approach

From Basel and Zurich: A1 motorway to Bern; A6 to Spiez; direction Kandersteg; Kandersteg - Goppenstein car transport; direction Gampel; Leuk - Leukerbad.

From Geneva: Motorway A1 to Lausanne; direction Sion/Sierre; Leuk - Leukerbad.

From Milan: Motorway A8/A26 direction Simplon; car transport Iselle-Brig; direction Leuk - Leukerbad.