Snowshoeing

Hannigalp Wannihorn Trail

Grächen

-3/2°

If there’s one thing you need for the Wannihorn Trail in Grächen, it’s physical fitness. You’ll need to be in good shape for this fairly steep climb, but it’s definitely worth the effort: the view from the Wannihorn is breathtaking.

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

2.34 km

Duration

1:27 h

Description

Grächen is a snowshoe hiker’s paradise offering routes for every ability level. The Wannihorn Trail is one of the more demanding ones: the mountain alone towers at 2,669 metres in altitude. As a result, this 2.3km trail requires plenty of stamina. It’s no wonder people call this “the King’s Route”: it’s for people who love to conquer summits. The trail leads from Hannigalp via Stafel to the Wannihorn, which lends the route its name. Sportier hikers can make an earlier start in Grächen, while the rest take the Fairy Tale Cable Car up to Hannigalp. Once you arrive in Hannigalp, strap on your snowshoes and head to Stafel. There, you can replenish your energies one last time at the bar, surrounded by a magnificent alpine panorama. The route continues steeply uphill through snowy forests to the Wannihorn. Then – after a good hour and a half – comes the cry of relief: “Wow!” What an amazing view. The Valais mountain landscape stretches out ahead of you with vistas of the Saastal Valley and the Bietschhorn, Bishorn, Brunegghorn and Weisshorn. For now, all you need to do is breathe deeply, take a few photos and enjoy.

Turn-by-turn directions

The demanding Wannihorn Trail starts on Hannigalp at 2,121 metres in altitude, initially following a relatively even route to Stafel, before taking a steep path through the snow-covered forest up to the Wannihorn at 2,669 metres in altitude. You’ll tackle 476 metres of altitude difference along the way. The return journey follows the same route.

Start

Hannigalp (2121m)

Destination

Wannihorn (2595m)

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Author's recommendation

You’ll need to be in good shape for this route, but once you arrive at the top your efforts are rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view. The Stafelbar is the perfect place to make a quick pit stop along the way. Once you've finished the hike, you can take in the views of the unique Matterhorn from the large sunny terrace of the Hannigalp Family Mountain Restaurant.