Great Daubenhorn Via Ferrata (K5 - K6)
Leukerbad
0/7°
ClosedExperience the steep rocks around Leukerbad up close. The longest via ferrata provides an adrenaline rush with ladders, passages, and rock crossings.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
9.25 kmDuration
8:00 h
Description
The Daubenhorn via ferrata is the longest in Switzerland. With the difficulty level ED (extreme difficult), the adventure is aimed at experienced and fit mountaineers. The via ferrata ascends almost vertically along the rock towering above Leukerbad. For the approximately 1,000 meters of elevation gain, you need about eight hours. The goal is the summit of the Daubenhorn at 2,941 meters above sea level.
Along the way, the via ferrata offers numerous highlights: for example, passing through a large cave crevice with a waterfall. You cross up to the summit 2,000 meters of steel cable and 216 meters of ladders – partly overhanging. At the top, you are rewarded with a magnificent view before you begin the descent over the small Daubenhorn glacier to the Lämmerenboden and then via hiking trail to the Gemmi cable car.
Turn-by-turn directions
To reach the starting point, follow the hiking trail through the Gemmiwand for about 20 minutes. In the area of Untere Schmitte, a sign marks the way to the via ferrata. The first section corresponds to the small via ferrata – for this, you cross the Gemmiwand until you reach the intermediate exit at the Obere Gemsfreiheit at 2,300 meters. Behind the Obere Gemsfreiheit, the path continues over a ladder through a 100-meter-high chimney, which can be climbed in two variants. The normal route goes through the waterfall, while the more difficult variant climbs around it. Climbers exit the chimney through a large hole. Further vertical and partly overhanging ladders lead to the summit of the Daubenhorn at almost 3,000 meters. The descent leads over the small Daubenhorn glacier to the Lämmerenboden, from where the hiking trail first follows the stream and then leads over a final small ascent to the Gemmi cable car.
Start
Gemmipass (2338m)
Destination
Gemmipass (2338m)
Author's recommendation
After the strenuous ascent of the via ferrata, the warm thermal baths are a real treat for tired muscles.
If your stamina is not sufficient, there is the option to descend to Leukerbad at the Obere Gemsfreiheit after about a third of the route.
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
Public transport
Leuk is accessible by train (SBB), then the bus (LLB – Leuk Leukerbad Bus Reisen) takes you to the starting point in Leukerbad. From the bus station in Leukerbad, you can reach the Gemmi cable cars either on foot or by the local Ringjet bus.
Timetables for trains and buses can be found at sbb.ch.
Approach
From Basel and Zurich: Motorway A1 to Bern; A6 to Spiez; direction Kandersteg; car shuttle Kandersteg – Goppenstein; direction Gampel; Leuk – Leukerbad
From Geneva: Motorway A1 to Lausanne; direction Sion/Sierre; Leuk – Leukerbad
From Milan: Motorway A8/A26 toward Simplon; car shuttle Iselle-Brig; direction Leuk – Leukerbad
Parking
Parking spaces are available at the Gemmi cable cars or various parking options in the village of Leukerbad. Follow the local parking guidance system.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Leukerbad . Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.
