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Switzerland: Via Alpina (Adelboden to Altdorf)
Sample a 100-mile stretch of the Via Alpina, Europe's first trans-Alps trail, linking ancient paths across 3,500 miles and eight countries.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| State: | Switzerland (CHE) |
| Distance: | 99.58 mi |
| Difficulty: | 8 / 10 |
| Rating: |
 2 rating(s)
|
Established just five years ago, the Via Alpina is Europe's first trans-Alps trail. This 3,500-mile link-up of local wanderwegs—many of them hundreds or thousands of years old—winds through eight countries along the backbone of, Europe's greatest mountain range.
You'd need more than a year off (not to mention some serious bail-out money) to hike the whole thing—which is why we scoured the route to find its greatest, most mountainous 100 miles. Hiking from the Swiss villages of Adelboden to Altdorf, you'll cross the route's tallest passes, snack on local cheeses and chocolates (so tasty you'll be ruined for life), and have a chance to summit the Monch, a Mount Rainier-like peak and Eiger neighbor that you can climb in an afternoon.
-Mapped by Backpacker Editors
TO TRAILHEAD: The route starts in Adelboden and ends in Altdorf.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Jungfraujoch Aletsch Glacier
| Distance: 7.00 mi | Points: 100 |
Via Alpina
| Distance: 92.58 mi | Points: 2443 |
Points of Interest
VIA001
Location: 46.493479, 7.560155Adelboden: Bus station at Adelboden
VIA002
Location: 46.491149, 7.563545Beginning the climb out of Adelboden to Bunderchrinde Pass.
VIA003
Location: 46.491121, 7.563626Beginning the climb out of Adelboden to Bunderchrinde Pass.
VIA004
Location: 46.491095, 7.563770You'll climb from town on narrow paved roads, dirt farm roads, and trails.
VIA005
Location: 46.489625, 7.566323Hang a left at this intersection.
VIA006
Location: 46.492437, 7.576630Chalet
VIA007
Location: 46.492162, 7.576867Dennis Lewon
VIA008
Location: 46.488864, 7.581210VIA009
Location: 46.486573, 7.585143VIA010
Location: 46.486127, 7.588275The Via Alpina is very well-signed.
VIA011
Location: 46.486268, 7.590646VIA012
Location: 46.488441, 7.595412Dennis Lewon prepares to hang a left to climb through the woods.
VIA013
Location: 46.488546, 7.597714VIA014
Location: 46.489053, 7.601767VIA015
Location: 46.489126, 7.601761Looking back on Adelboden.
VIA016
Location: 46.490083, 7.601670VIA017
Location: 46.488086, 7.604526VIA018
Location: 46.488239, 7.604579Adelboden
VIA019
Location: 46.485134, 7.614411VIA020
Location: 46.485115, 7.614529VIA021
Location: 46.484982, 7.616615VIA022
Location: 46.484984, 7.616677VIA023
Location: 46.484986, 7.616755VIA024
Location: 46.482386, 7.624595VIA025
Location: 46.482365, 7.624616VIA026
Location: 46.482343, 7.624632Our first look at snowy Bunderchrinde pass.
VIA027
Location: 46.482360, 7.625995Shannon Davis layers up atop 7,825-foot Bunderchrinde.
VIA028
Location: 46.482402, 7.626049Looking east from the pass
VIA029
Location: 46.482417, 7.626070VIA030
Location: 46.482459, 7.626124VIA031
Location: 46.482496, 7.626172Beginning our descent to Kandersteg
VIA032
Location: 46.482530, 7.626218VIA033
Location: 46.482583, 7.626285VIA034
Location: 46.478372, 7.631484VIA035
Location: 46.476777, 7.630046Keep an eye out for chamois, a local goat-antelope species with distinctively curved horns.
VIA036
Location: 46.482674, 7.66489528-OCT-09 18:31:29
VIA037
Location: 46.495216, 7.671740Rail station at Kandersteg
VIA038
Location: 46.494862, 7.674015Kandersteg
VIA039
Location: 46.495449, 7.674406Hang a right near this hotel in downtown Kandersteg.
VIA040
Location: 46.493409, 7.700471The Via Alpina is marked by a #1 logo.
VIA041
Location: 46.497611, 7.714639Berghaus by the stunning lake
VIA042
Location: 46.497883, 7.715138First view of the lake
VIA043
Location: 46.498045, 7.715471The path tracks long the left shore.
VIA044
Location: 46.498281, 7.715814VIA045
Location: 46.498333, 7.716694VIA046
Location: 46.502587, 7.723850Just past the lake, you'll start gaining some serious elevation.
VIA047
Location: 46.502602, 7.723989VIA048
Location: 46.504334, 7.727809VIA049
Location: 46.509477, 7.736998Navigating through a boulderfield.
VIA050
Location: 46.509484, 7.737234VIA051
Location: 46.508229, 7.740029VIA052
Location: 46.508916, 7.744310VIA053
Location: 46.508893, 7.744406VIA054
Location: 46.508336, 7.751053VIA055
Location: 46.508362, 7.751225Hanging glaciers on the opposite side of the valley.
VIA056
Location: 46.508395, 7.751402VIA057
Location: 46.508923, 7.753279VIA058
Location: 46.508934, 7.753336VIA059
Location: 46.509286, 7.754236Climbing toward Hohturli, the highest pass on the Via Alpina at 9,114 feet.
VIA060
Location: 46.511582, 7.759216VIA061
Location: 46.512356, 7.760768VIA062
Location: 46.512401, 7.761004VIA063
Location: 46.511888, 7.767769First clear view of Hohturli pass.
VIA064
Location: 46.511873, 7.767870More impeccable signage
VIA065
Location: 46.511862, 7.767956Kelly Bastone on her way to Hohturli.
VIA066
Location: 46.511301, 7.770225Descending toward Griesalp, using the fixed hand-line for support.
VIA067
Location: 46.512937, 7.771107The sun setting on a ridge to the east.
VIA068
Location: 46.528871, 7.772570VIA069
Location: 46.530460, 7.771845VIA070
Location: 46.534451, 7.769823The Via Alpina passes through a small farm just outside of Griesalp.
VIA071
Location: 46.547173, 7.761146Don't Blink: The village of Griesalp is nothing more than a few hotels and cottages.
VIA072
Location: 46.547528, 7.761639Griesalp: Interesting post bus ride. It's the steepest road serviced by bus in all of Europe.
VIA073
Location: 46.547535, 7.761787VIA074
Location: 46.548472, 7.766562Dennis Lewon hiking out of Griesalp.
VIA075
Location: 46.537954, 7.796279Access the trail to the pass just behind a small collection of shepherd huts.
VIA076
Location: 46.537850, 7.796538Dennis Lewon climbing toward the pass
VIA077
Location: 46.532759, 7.809774VIA078
Location: 46.532400, 7.812684Shannon Davis
VIA079
Location: 46.531521, 7.813028Our first view of the Eiger (peak on the left) as we crest Sefinenfurgge Pass.
VIA080
Location: 46.537226, 7.819777VIA081
Location: 46.537639, 7.820292VIA082
Location: 46.537934, 7.820678VIA083
Location: 46.538466, 7.821396VIA084
Location: 46.540912, 7.823702Stay straight. Another route (to Rote Hard) branches off to the left.
VIA085
Location: 46.542156, 7.824841VIA086
Location: 46.542789, 7.825656VIA087
Location: 46.545971, 7.832441VIA088
Location: 46.544761, 7.837134Rotstockhutte, an alpine hut with 52 bunks is open from June to October.
VIA089
Location: 46.545344, 7.854538View across Lauterbrunnen Valley. Hanging glaciers often crash down the steep walls.
VIA090
Location: 46.548826, 7.874000Creek crossing. Just past here, look for a trail to the left leading to a small collection of cheesemaker's huts.
VIA091
Location: 46.551217, 7.881821VIA092
Location: 46.558329, 7.891295Muerren-CableCar
VIA093
Location: 46.558329, 7.891595Village of Murren. Keep hiking to Lauterbrunnen or get a room at the Eiger Hotel.
VIA094
Location: 46.559491, 7.892373Left turn.
VIA095
Location: 46.565342, 7.897883View point near train station.
VIA096
Location: 46.598381, 7.907892Rail station in Lauterbrunnen
VIA097
Location: 46.598395, 7.908064Camping Jungfrau, a great place for trekkers. There are bunks and a community kitchen. camping-jungfrau.ch
VIA098
Location: 46.575324, 7.937493The best lunch break ever, halfway between Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg.
VIA099
Location: 46.575589, 7.947621View of the Eiger.
VIA100
Location: 46.584951, 7.961526Kleine Scheidegg, a beautiful mountain pass at the base of the Eiger. Hop the train here to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe, or keep hiking to Grindelwald. Or stay awhile--there are restaurants and hotels here too.
VIA101
Location: 46.584947, 7.961601Jungfraubahn
VIA102
Location: 46.548000, 7.987490Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe and the Aletsch Glacier
VIA103
Location: 46.548029, 7.987790Bust at a rail stop on the Jungfraubahn
VIA104
Location: 46.548974, 7.996159Hiking to the base of the Monch.
VIA105
Location: 46.549149, 7.996404Hiking from Jungfraujoch to the base of the Monch.
VIA106
Location: 46.549904, 7.997854Looking back at Jungfraujoch
VIA107
Location: 46.552578, 8.002650Rope up
VIA108
Location: 46.552589, 8.002939Roping up to attempt the Southeast Ridge.
VIA109
Location: 46.555157, 8.002617Shannon Davis kicking steps.
VIA110
Location: 46.555924, 8.001781Looking back at Jungfraujoch.
VIA111
Location: 46.556942, 8.001008Southeast ridge of the Monch
VIA112
Location: 46.558034, 7.999249Summit ridge, The Monch
VIA113
Location: 46.558137, 7.998884Descending the summit ridge
VIA114
Location: 46.558255, 7.998487Descending the summit ridge
VIA115
Location: 46.558447, 7.997746Summit cornice.
VIA116
Location: 46.558506, 7.997510John Harlin on the summit of the Monch.
VIA117
Location: 46.558528, 7.997360Summit of the 13,474-foot Monch, a peak that lies in between the Eiger and the Jungfrau.
VIA118
Location: 46.584464, 7.962218Dennis Lewon in front of the Eiger
VIA119
Location: 46.584343, 7.962314Executive Editor Dennis Lewon with the Eiger behind him.
VIA120
Location: 46.585368, 7.961290Kleine Scheidegg
VIA121
Location: 46.624169, 8.033924Rail station in Grindelwald
VIA122
Location: 46.675885, 8.133974Schwarzwaldal
VIA123
Location: 46.713694, 8.186944Schwendi1
VIA124
Location: 46.727367, 8.184759Meiringen Train Station
VIA125
Location: 46.705599, 8.229500Innertkirchen
VIA126
Location: 46.727356, 8.263454Near Underbalm, the contours of the Wetterhorn come into glaring clarity as the team moves further into Meiringen. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA127
Location: 46.755299, 8.305106Camp
VIA128
Location: 46.754975, 8.305922Kristin Hostetter tests the Sierra Designs LT Strike 2. The Wetterhorn sets the perfect backdrop. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA129
Location: 46.755505, 8.305836VIA130
Location: 46.766853, 8.315191Snow melts below treeline along the valley route. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA131
Location: 46.767176, 8.315749VIA132
Location: 46.774995, 8.327336Anthony Cerretani works his way towards Meiringen.
VIA133
Location: 46.777441, 8.333431L off Via Alpina
VIA134
Location: 46.778837, 8.337848VIA135
Location: 46.775788, 8.344288Beer
VIA136
Location: 46.775444, 8.344556Overnight in Engstlenalp
VIA137
Location: 46.775876, 8.361840VIA138
Location: 46.778361, 8.386778JochChairTop
VIA139
Location: 46.778695, 8.387759Joch Pass
VIA140
Location: 46.783194, 8.391366Kristin Hostetter and Jon Harlin work their way above Trubsee lake. Rigidalstock, and Wissberg mountains can be seen in the distance. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA141
Location: 46.783484, 8.391575Anthony Cerretani, Kristin Hostetter, and John Harlin work their way up to Jochpass. In late October, snow started appearing at around 6,000 feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA142
Location: 46.790917, 8.387722JochChairBase
VIA143
Location: 46.792299, 8.395234Trubsee lake
VIA144
Location: 46.792803, 8.395185Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter takes in the sites from the Trubsee lake as the team gets ready for the push up to Jochpass. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA145
Location: 46.793006, 8.395911A view of Trubsee lake. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA146
Location: 46.793625, 8.398876Engelberg-GondolaTop
VIA147
Location: 46.807756, 8.400550The Gasthaus Gerschnailp in Engelberg. The team awoke to the sound of cowbells echoing through mountains at 4,139 feet. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA148
Location: 46.812778, 8.392696Expensive gondola
VIA149
Location: 46.816083, 8.396361Engelberg-GondolaBase
VIA150
Location: 46.819416, 8.403082Rail station in Engelberg
VIA151
Location: 46.835440, 8.546015VIA152
Location: 46.836354, 8.545636VIA153
Location: 46.836413, 8.545593From left, John Harlin, Kristin Hostter and Anthony Cerretani recharge for the descent down the south side of Surenenpass. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA154
Location: 46.836512, 8.545549Pass (Jon's Photo)
VIA155
Location: 46.836512, 8.545625VIA156
Location: 46.836908, 8.546215As the sun begins to set, John Harlin takes in the view from the south side of Surenenpass at 7516 feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA157
Location: 46.837011, 8.547782Anthony Cerretani postholes his way towards Surenenpass. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA158
Location: 46.838163, 8.553221VIA159
Location: 46.838369, 8.553736VIA160
Location: 46.842713, 8.561332John Harlin pushes towards snowy, postholing ground. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA161
Location: 46.843726, 8.569229VIA162
Location: 46.843744, 8.569508VIA163
Location: 46.843976, 8.577488Angistock peak, on the way to Surenenpass. In late October, snow started appearing at just about 6,000 feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA164
Location: 46.844064, 8.578163Snow starts appearing more frequently along the path to Surenpass. Angistock peak looms in the background.
VIA165
Location: 46.844115, 8.578354John Harlin and Kristin Hostetter on the trail to Surenpass.
VIA166
Location: 46.845304, 8.585739Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter and Contributing Editor John Harlin.
VIA167
Location: 46.843802, 8.591781Backpacker.com editor Anthony Cerretani works his way up the trail.
VIA168
Location: 46.843513, 8.593733Snowy, rocky peaks line the horizon.
VIA169
Location: 46.843433, 8.594002Anthony Cerretani takes in the view on a set of natural steps on the route.
VIA170
Location: 46.843249, 8.598009John Harlin makes time. Oberalpstock and Piz Tgieschen peaks can be seen to the southeast. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA171
Location: 46.843231, 8.598100Backpacker editor John Harlin leads the way.
VIA172
Location: 46.843356, 8.598449Backpacker editor John Harlin leads the way.
VIA173
Location: 46.843356, 8.599065A view of the Angistock peak hovering at over 9,000 feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA174
Location: 46.843689, 8.602070Backpacker editors Kristin Hostetter and John Harlin make their way up the trail. Angistock peak hovers in the background.
VIA175
Location: 46.843270, 8.605906Backpackerc.com Editor Anthony Cerretani gets moving. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA176
Location: 46.843168, 8.606415At the trailhead in Grat. Time to head up to snowy 7516-foot Surenenpass. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA177
Location: 46.843117, 8.606662At the trailhead in Grat. Time to head up to snowy 7516-foot Surenenpass. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA178
Location: 46.842961, 8.606930Top of bahn (Jon's Photo)
VIA179
Location: 46.842956, 8.607005At the trailhead in Grat. Time to head up to snowy 7516-foot Surenenpass. (Anthony Cerretani)
VIA180
Location: 46.845986, 8.616414A view of the town of Altdorf from the seat of a Gondola. It would rise some 3,000-plus feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA181
Location: 46.847102, 8.617358A view of the town of Altdorf from the seat of a Gondola. It would rise some 3,000-plus feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA182
Location: 46.848393, 8.618388A view of the town of Altdorf from the seat of a Gondola. It would rise some 3,000-plus feet. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA183
Location: 46.856967, 8.622607The team jumps a gondola near Attinghausen and heads to the trailhead. (Jonathan Dorn)
VIA184
Location: 46.861453, 8.629160Attinghausen bus stop
VIA185
Location: 46.875716, 8.631772Altdorf Train Station
VIA186
Location: 46.875741, 8.631831Altdorf Train Station
VIA187
Location: 46.875686, 8.631842A view from the Altdorf Train Station. (Jonathan Dorn)
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