Brudelhorn

The summit of the Brudelhorn (2,791 m) offers one of the finest panoramic views of the Obergoms, the valley of the young Rhône. Way below, hikers see the picturesque villages of the valley, strung in a line along the sparkling river like pearls on a necklace.

This exhilarating summit hike reveals two faces of the peak – beginning with its eastern flanks. The ascent is made easier by the choice of starting point: a remote postal bus stop at an altitude of nearly 2,000 m on the road to the Nufenen Pass. Close by, an ancient stone bridge bears witness to a much older mule trail that for centuries provided one of the major alpine crossings, via the nearby Gries Pass.

Our trail, however, branches off westwards, climbing the wild Lengtal valley before reaching the sparkling waters of the Distelsee (2,587 m). A short final climb of another 200 vertical metres leads to the summit and an enchanting panorama.

Hikers then retrace their steps along the ridge for about 400 m before beginning the descent proper: this time down the mountain’s northern slopes. The trail drops steadily through a boulder-strewn landscape before reaching lush pastures along the Merezebach stream. Lower down, the trail descends through forest and open meadows to cross the young Rhône opposite a picturesque village of sun-bronzed wooden houses and dazzling white churches and chapels: Münster, capital of the Goms.

Like the other villages of the valley, it blossomed in the 17th and 18th centuries through trade via the alpine crossings. The busy traffic came to an end with the construction of the Simplon and Gotthard pass roads and the Gotthard railway in the 19th century, but these villages have retained all their historical charm.

Highlights:

• Exhilarating summit hike, glorious panoramic views
• Experience of two contrasting valleys: wild Lengtal to the east and historical Rhône valley