Via ferrata & mountain­eering

Ladders and steel cables – one ladder dates from 1899 – take you up the Rotstock (2,663 m) at the foot of the Eiger North Face, with approach and descent from Eigergletscher station. Go only in dry, settled weather with a via ferrata set, harness and helmet; if you lack experience, go with a mountain guide.

Distance

3.3 km

Ascent

420 m

Descent

420 m

Time

approx. 3 h 30 (approach 45 min, via ferrata 2 h, descent 45 min)

Difficulty

K2 (slightly to moderately difficult)

Season

June to September

Start → Finish

Eigergletscher station → Eigergletscher station

Getting there from Wengen: From Wengen take the Wengernalp Railway to Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfrau Railway to Eigergletscher station (2,320 m). Approach via the Eiger Trail and the grassy ridge to the start at about 2,400 m; descend over the Eiger west flank (cairns, fixed ropes) back to the station.

Good to know: Via ferrata 260 m long, summit 2,663 m

This via ferrata goes down rather than up: across the cliffs from Mürren to Gimmelwald, with a Nepal bridge and sheer views into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Exposed and fairly difficult (K3) – only in good weather with no risk of storms, with full via ferrata kit and helmet; beginners should go with a mountain guide.

Distance

2.3 km

Ascent

200 m

Descent

480 m

Time

approx. 3 h

Difficulty

K3 (fairly difficult)

Season

1 June to 31 October, 9 am – 6 pm

Start → Finish

Mürren (Schilthorn cableway station) → Gimmelwald (Schilthorn cableway station)

Getting there from Wengen: From Wengen take the train to Lauterbrunnen, then the cable car and mountain railway via Grütschalp to Mürren – or the bus to Stechelberg and the Schilthorn cableway up to Mürren. From the village it is about 10 minutes to the Sportchalet; the start is through the tunnel by the tennis courts. Return from Gimmelwald by Schilthorn cableway.

Good to know: Nepal bridge 80 m; 60 m zip line only with a mountain guide; kit hire at Intersport Mürren; introductory video compulsory

From the Sphinx tunnel on the Jungfraujoch a marked trail crosses the glacier to the Mönchsjoch Hut at 3,658 m, the highest staffed hut in Switzerland. Sturdy footwear, warm clothing, sunglasses and very good fitness are essential; the path closes in bad weather, storms or when crevasses open – check its status first and never leave the marked track without a mountain guide.

Distance

2.1 km

Ascent

200 m

Descent

10 m

Time

approx. 45 min (one way)

Difficulty

High-alpine marked trail across a glacier

Season

Mid-May to mid-October (depending on conditions)

Start → Finish

Jungfraujoch (Sphinx tunnel exit) → Mönchsjoch Hut

Getting there from Wengen: From Wengen take the Wengernalp Railway to Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfrau Railway up to the Jungfraujoch (3,454 m). From the station walk through the Sphinx tunnel to the exit onto the glacier. Return the same way.

Good to know: Hut at 3,658 m, staffed from late March to mid-October