Climbing and Mountaineering

Climbing in the Leukerbad Region

Leukerbad has a lot of climbing opportunities to offer its visitors. Two small climbing spots  (Clalet Mengis and Tolen)  are located in the immediate vicinity of the village. There is also a small bouldering hall in the sports arena where you get some training. 

 

Outdoor bouldering is possible in Almei (about 5 minutes walk from the village of Leukerbad towards Gemmi)

 

You can find further information about other climbing locations in the region on TopApp which is available free of charge

Via Feratta around Leukerbad 

There are two very interesting trails via the Feratta which are easily accessible in Leukerbad. The Gemmi Adventure via Feratta is located near the Gemmi Cableway Mountain Station. 

Visitors can look forward to lots of adrenalin thrills  such as the 65-metre-long rope bridge and the 20-metre-high ladder that turns through 540°!

The Daubenhorn via Feratta takes you to the next level of adventure. This feratta would appeal to those who are have good strength and have had consistent practice. Parts of this beautiful via Ferrata are qualified with extremely difficult (5K to 6K) level. 

There are also other interesting via ferratas or hikes such as the Albinenleitern. This is the oldest via ferrata in the Alps.  There is also the Dala Gorge -Thermal Spring Bridge which offers stunning view of the origin of the hot springs in Leukerbad. The footbridge itself is almost 600m meters long and stands four meters above the riverbed.  

Climbing Area Chalet Mengis (5 routes)

If you are keen on this climbing area, then make your way from the top of Leukerbad Village, follow Regina Therme Strasse to the roundabout with the fountain. The climbing area is about 30m to the right of the roundabout. 

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CH1903+ / LV952614486 1137321

long/lat:WGS847.62695 46.3871

Or on Google Maps 

Height: 1551.2 m

Tolen Climbing Area

Brings a total of 23 routes, which includes 12 routes of maxi 6B and 11 routes for beginners and youth climbing routes.

 

Putting on a helmet is mandatory. If you are coming from Chalet Mengis it takes approximately 400m towards Melcherboden. Proceed straight on the dirt road after the first junction. Take the corridor path (5om) which is approximately 100m at the height of a rock wall. The wall is on the left side of the corridor. 

 

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Long/lat: WGS847.6298446.3876 or on Google Maps

Height: 1599.5m

Via Ferrata Daubenhorn: 

The via Ferrata at Daubenhorn is the longest via ferrata in Switzerland. In 1997/1998, 216 meters of ladders and over 2000 meters of steel cable were installed in the steeply rising rock of the Daubenhorn (2941m above sea level). The via ferrata impressively brings visitors closer to the unique panorama of the Valais Alps. What is unique is the approximately 100m long natural cave that is crossed and in which the avalanches thunder into the valley in winter. In the uppermost part of the climb, visitors have the opportunity to experience the imposing rock face up close again via Konst. However, if this is not your thing, this passage can also be avoided. 

Further detailed information about Daubenhorn via Ferrata can be found here

Gemmi Adventure via Ferrata

The adventure via ferrate is located on the historic Gemmi Pass, below the top station of the Gemmi cable car at around 2300m above sea level. The route does not quite correspond to that of a normal via ferrata but also contains various elements of a rope park. The route runs for a total length of approximately 1300m horizontally below the Wildstrubel mountain restaurant and the Gemmi cable car mountain station. Numerous thrilling attractions await the visitors. Highlights are certainly the 65m long rope bridge or the 20m high turntable ladder, which rotates through 540 degrees. 

 

Further detailed information about Gemmi via Ferrata can be found here.

Albine Ladders

The hike is characterized by the transitions of the Albine ladders that was previously the only connection between Leukerbad and Albinen. Back in the olden days merchants used to transport materials and agricultural goods over the eight wooden ladders that have been preserved. The start is in the village square in Leukerbad. It then proceeds to the promenade past the Torrent cable cars, through the loch forest and over the eight wooden ladders to the valley station of the gondola lifts in bottles. From this point, the path leads about 500meters over the road until a hiking trail branches off to the left to Albinen. 

 

Albinen is the prototype of the Valais village par excellence. From here you have many options to extend the hike or take the bus back to Leukerbad. 

Tip: If you are not afraid of heights and want to bypass the ladders, you can switch from the foot of the ladder to the street and walk through the tunnel. A little further you meet the hiking trail to Albinen.

Thermal Spring Path

The thermal spring path leads through the village to the Dala Gorge. On nine illustrated boards, explorers learn interesting facts about the source groups of Leukerbad, the geology, the history or the medical and economic aspects of the thermal water. 

 

Thermal Canyon Walk

The footbridge leads through the Dala Gorge, because the thermal springs originate directly in the stream bed and on the left bank. The footbridge itself is an imposing steel structure on which you walk around 600 meters through the gorge. The power of water is revealed at the latest at the 35 meter deep waterfall. Near to the waterfall, a suspension bridge crosses the gorge while you can watch the roaring fall from the hanging stairs. More information here