Fixed rope routes

Adventure course Bietschtal bridge

Kletterer in der Bietschtalschlucht

Raron-St. German-Niedergesteln

This via ferrata delivers on its promise: airy descents, swinging like Tarzan over the "Bietschi," passing through mysterious caves, and rushing via a long zip line to the opposite side of the valley – a breathtakingly exciting route in a wild environment that is only accessible with a guide.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

8.28 km

Duration

3:45 h

Description

At the last old bridge over the Bietschbach above the railway viaduct, you stand at the start of the adventure course through the Bietsch Gorge. This adventure course also provides impressive insights into mysterious places of the Bietschtal for non-mountaineers. The via ferrata can only be done accompanied by a mountain guide.

Turn-by-turn directions

From the village of Raron, you reach the Restaurant Rarnerchumma via Fromatten after crossing the Bietschbach. From the Restaurant Rarnerchumma above Raron, you hike below the Lötschberg southern ramp on a trail towards the Bietschtal. You cross the viaduct of the BLS Lötschberg and turn towards the Bietschtal until you reach a natural stone bridge after 5 minutes, where the start is located. Through a vertical chute, climbers enter the narrow Bietsch Gorge. After climbing through some rock walls, the via ferrata leads downward through a large cave. At the cave exit, there is a 25 m high abseil point. Then follows a zip line to cross the rushing Bietschbach. After that, there are two options – either directly ascend to the next zip line or climb the more difficult route with three overhangs. The last zip line, 72 m long, leads over a dizzying abyss to the exit. From the exit, you can either return to the starting point or continue the hike on the Lötschberg southern ramp towards Ausserberg.

Start

Raron or Sankt German (636m)

Destination

Ausserberg train station (931m)

Technical information

Altitude

1021m

636m

Ascent

+635m

Descent

-295m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Cultural/historical interest
  • Completely cable-secured
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Regular regional trains to Raron or bus connection to Sankt German.

Approach

Highway A9 and then Cantonal Road 9 to Raron

Parking

Parking lot at the Felsenkirche in Raron.

Equipment

A climbing harness with a via ferrata set for self-belaying is mandatory for using a via ferrata. Due to the danger of falling rocks, wearing a helmet is also a must.

Pay attention to good footwear, appropriate clothing, and sufficient provisions. Gloves provide extra protection for fingers and joints and prevent abrasions.

Safety information

Weather: Those on via ferratas should consider the weather forecasts. A sudden bad weather event can be life-threatening. Via ferratas must be avoided in case of thunderstorms.

Falling rock hazard: There is a danger of falling rocks on via ferratas, mostly caused by preceding climbers or wild animals. Protect yourself with a helmet.

Safety: When using a via ferrata, always keep enough distance from the climber ahead. Only one person should be in a single anchorage section at a time.

Additional information

Mountain guides:

Equipment rental:

  • Egon Feller, mountain guide

Further information about the destination can be found here:

Literature

Eugen E. Hüsler, Daniel Anker: The Via Ferratas of Switzerland

Maps

Swisstopo topographic maps 1:25,000: 1288 Raron

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion

The Swisspeak Resort in Vercorin in a winter setting

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