Fixed rope routes
Great Daubenhorn via ferrata
Leukerbad
1/9°
The Daubenhorn via ferrata is the longest in Switzerland, graded K5 (extremely difficult). The itinerary leads almost entirely along vertical rock faces, and features many memorable highlights including a cave with a waterfall.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
9.25 kmDuration
8:00 h
Description
The highly impressive and extrem difficult via ferrata offers the visitor the opportunity to enjoy the unique panorama of the Valais Alps. After 8 hours or so of climbing a good 1,000 metres you finally arrive at the Daubenhorn summit (2,941 metres above sea level)
Turn-by-turn directions
The route begins with a climb of about 20 minutes up a footpath along the Gemmiwand cliffs. At “Untere Schmitte”, an information panel gives an idea of the route you are about to follow. During the first part of the via ferrata, you cross the Gemmiwand before reaching an intermediate exit at an altitude of 2,300 m. The itinerary continues along a ladder through a 100-metre chimney, which can be climbed in two ways. The normal route leads across a waterfall, while the tougher variant bypasses it before leaving the chimney. A series of other ladders, some of which are overhanging, brings you to the summit of the Daubenhorn at an altitude of nearly 3,000 m. The views here are breathtaking. The descent leads via the small Daubenhorn Glacier to a plateau, where the path initially follows the stream before a final gentle climb to the Gemmi cable car.
Start
Gemmi Pass (2338m)
Destination
Gemmi Pass (2338m)
Author's recommendation
After having conquered the Daubenhorn via ferrata, relax your muscles in the bubbling water of Leukerbad's thermal baths.
Technical information
Altitude
2940m
2031m
Ascent
+1246m
Descent
-1246m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Getting there
Information
Public transport
Leuk can be reached by train (SBB), then by bus (LLB - Leuk Leukerbad Bus Reisen) to the starting point in Leukerbad. From Leukerbad you reach the Gemmi cable car by foot or by taking the local bus.
Find full timetable information at sbb.ch.
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.
Parking
Park directly at the Gemmi cable car or use different parking possibilities in the village of Leukerbad. Follow the local car park routeing.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Leukerbad . Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.
