Säumerweg Griespass
Obergoms
0/7°
ClosedThe Säumerweg is a scenic ascent along a mule track from the Rhone Valley up to the remote mountain pass at the Italian border. The hike combines history, pristine landscapes, and an ecological pioneer project.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
20.77 kmDuration
8:00 h
Description
This hike in the heart of the Alps is also a journey through time. A historic mule path leads through wild landscapes to a trio of Alpine passes that could tell a lively history of exchange from the past to today.
Since Roman times, Obergoms has welcomed traders and travelers from both sides of the Alps. One of the most important Alpine crossings then led over the Grimsel and Gries passes, the shortest connection between Switzerland and Italy at the time.
The hike begins at the valley floor of the Rhone Valley in the picturesque village of Ulrichen, where up to 100 pack animals passed daily back then. From here, the route follows the historic mule path up into the wild Ägen valley. One of the most important trade goods then was Sbrinz cheese from Central Switzerland, which gave the long-distance trail ViaSbrinz its name, running from Central Switzerland to Italy.
The more modern trade route also leads up this valley – namely the road to the Nufenenpass, which connects Valais with Ticino. The hike continues south to the end of the valley, where a 21st-century attraction awaits: the wind turbines of the Gries wind park, the highest wind park in Europe at an altitude of 2500 m above sea level. The installation is designed to produce electricity for nearly 3000 households and is an important pillar of the Valais energy strategy that strongly relies on renewable energies.
The hike passes above the sparkling Gries reservoir up to the pass height at the Italian border. At this quiet place, a great view awaits over the Valle di Morasco as well as the Bernese and Valais Alps. The route then leads via Corno Pass, connecting Valais with Ticino, back to the Nufenenpass.
Highlights of the hike:
- Historic mule path once used by traders, pilgrims, smugglers, and mercenaries.
- Diverse landscapes – from the lush Rhone Valley to the glaciers of the Alps.
- Gries wind park, the forward-looking energy project in Valais.
Turn-by-turn directions
The hike from Ulrichen train station up to Griespass is clearly marked.
It is possible to shorten the hike by omitting either the Griespass or the Corno Pass. Various shortcuts lead directly to the Nufenenpass.
At the summit of the Nufenenpass, there is a restaurant available for refreshments. The bus stop for the return journey is also located here.
The long-distance hiking trail ViaSbrinz takes five days and covers over 110 km from Stansstad on Lake Lucerne to Ponte in the Italian Val Formazza. The described hike includes a section of the last stage of this multi-day hike.
Start
Ulrichen (1346m)
Destination
Nufenenpass (2478m)
Author's recommendation
Technical information
Altitude
2556m
1347m
Ascent
+1789m
Descent
-657m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Approach
Parking
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
