Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R98
Gampel / Steg » Leukerbad
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7h10 |
18.6 km
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1281 m
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526 m
From Gampel/Steg, which is situated on the floor of the Rhone valley, climb up to Bratsch. Continue at the same altitude to reach the villages of Erschmatt, Feschel, Guttet and Albinen. The "Albinen ladders" bring you to Leukerbad, the stage destination, whose numerous wellness baths tempt you to stay for a while.
Easier alternative route
Climb down the "Albinen Ladders": Alternative: use the main road (no path!) or the post bus.
Leave Gampel/Steg and head to the north, soon turning into the northern side of the Rhonetal valley. Just after this, the trail passes a chapel. It leads on through woodland and past rocks uphill to Bratsch. From here, the trail leads on a level course to Erschmatt, a village with many holiday homes. Behind the administrative boundary in the east, head steeply down into a side valley to reach Feschel. A route across meadows and pastureland takes you to the next village with typical holiday homes. From Guttet, head through woodland to reach Albinen. The village of Albinen is included in the federal inventory of sites of national importance. The compact clustered village is charming, with its impressive location on a steep slope high above the Dala ravine. In the middle of the tightly assembled clustered settlement towers the mighty oval church. It is characterised by its beautiful church windows and valuable frescoes. Back on the farmland path, continue further into the Dalatal valley. From the farmland path, it is possible to catch sight of the hamlet of Dorbu with its little chapel. From here, it is just a short distance to the Albinen ladders. A rock face of around 100m in height is bridged here with a total of 8 ladders. This used to be the shortest connection between Albinen and Leukerbad. Today, it has been integrated into the hiking network – but it is only suitable for those who do not suffer from vertigo. If you do, it is better to take the postal car from Flaschen to Leukerbad. After the ladders, continue through woodland to Leukerbad, which lies below the mighty Gemmi talus. In Leukerbad, you should pay a visit to one of the public baths, which are filled with thermal water at 51 degrees celsius. This is just one of the many wellness offers in Leukerbad to soothe strained hikers’ feet. (Schweizer Wanderwege).
Natural and cultural heritage
Leukerbad The oldest document mentioning Leukerbad dates back to 1315. However, numerous historical discoveries such as cist tombs, ceramics and coins indicate that Leukerbad was already inhabited during Roman times. In the 15th and 16th century, Leukerbad for the first time experienced a golden age as a spa resort. In the winter of 1518, however, an enormous avalanche descended on the unprotected village from the eastern slopes, destroying all of the buildings right down to the church and killing 61 people. After a few decades without any avalanche movement, Leukerbad was struck regularly between the 16th and 17th centuries by avalanche catastrophes. In 1829, several dams were then set up above the village at the Torrenthorn peak. Since then, the village and the baths have been spared any further destruction. These developments were followed by recovery. As of 1896, the hotel and baths company built various large hotels, which later were taken over by the municipality of Leukerbad. This caused the municipality to go bankrupt in 2000. In 1915, Leukerbad gained a railway connection to the station Susten/Leuk SBB station on the Rhonetal valley, but on 27 May 1967 it was abandoned in favour of bus transport. Water surfaces at around 20 springs at a temperature of 48-51°C, amounting to about three million litres of water daily. On the way to the surface of the Earth, various mineral elements are released and carried in the water. Due to the high content of calcium and sulphate ions, the water appears to have special healing properties. One of the places supplied by the springs is the thermal baths centre, which with its large indoor and outdoor pools with various warm water and Jacuzzi baths is a major attraction. Just 14 months after its inauguration, it welcomed the 500,000th visitors! Today, therefore, Leukerbad with its several indoor and outdoor thermal baths and its well improved infrastructure is a spa and holiday resort that meets even the highest expectations. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
Useful topographic maps
263T Wildstrubel ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
273T Montana ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
274T Visp ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
Useful guidebooks
Oberwallis / Waeber/Steinbichler ~ Bergverlag Rudolf Rother GmbH (ISBN 3-7633-4127-7)
Unterwallis / Waeber/Steinbichler ~ Bergverlag Rudolf Rother GmbH (ISBN 3-7633-4128-5)
Picture gallery
Add your own pictures!
Comments
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Berta - 2018-07-09
In Albinen gibt es ein sehr schönes B&B, es ist nicht gerade günstig, aber die Zimmer sind schön, sehr bequem und von der Terrasse hat man einen tollen Blick. Es gibt ganz in der Nähe einen Laden, wo man einkaufen kann und auf der Terasse gemütlich essen. La Demeure des Elfes B&B: Doppelzimmer 119 CHF ohne FS, FS 20 CHF pP
Automatic translation
[Google]
In Albinen there is a very nice B & B, it is not cheap, but the rooms are nice, very comfortable and from the terrace you have a great view. There is a shop nearby where you can go shopping and eat on the terrace. La Demeure des Elfes B & B: Double room 119 CHF without FS, FS 20 CHF pp
Hinweis zu den Albinenleitern: Wenn man von Gampel her kommt, steigt man über die Leitern ab. Ein spannendes Erlebnis! Die Gegenrichtung wäre etwas einfacher.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Note to Albinenleitern: If you come from Gampel ago, you descend on the ladders. An exciting experience! The opposite direction would be a little easier.
Clemens - 2015-07-08
Die Bahnfahrt kostet gerade mal 10,- CHF bzw. 5,-CHF für Halbtaxler. Der Weg nach Bratsch ist eigentlich nur Schinderei, da ohne Schatten und trocken. Bei dieser Etappe wird man noch genug gefordert, denn sie ist lang und geht hoch und runter, oder man läuft die Strassen. Empfehlung: Unterkunft in Flachen nehmen, ist besser (Mo/Die Ruhetag).
Zu den Leitern: Mansche Sprossen drehen sich oder man zieht sie leicht raus, also aufpassen. Ich war froh, dass ich konzentriert am Morgen war und nicht noch am Abend da runter bin. Aber machte Spass.
Automatic translation
[Google]
The ride costs just 10, - CHF or 5, -CHF for Halbtaxler. The Way Bratsch is actually just drag because without shade and dry. At this stage you will be asked enough, because it is long and goes up and down, or you walk the streets. Recommendation: take accommodation in shallow, is better (Mo / The day of rest). Among the leaders: Mausche sprouts turn or pulling them out easily, so watch out. I was glad that I was focused in the morning and I am not even in the evening down there. But was fun.
Elisabeth - 2014-12-05
Les échelles d'Albinen sont de vieilles échelles en bois : il est déconseillé d'y passer par temps de pluie.
Automatic translation
[Google]
The Albinen ladders are old wooden ladders: it is not advisable to spend in the rain.
Martine - 2014-09-01
Hotel Weisses Rössli à Leukerbad centre village
tel +41 (0)27 570 33 77 et info@roessli-leukerbad.ch
Prix 44 chf chambre 1 personne avec magnifique petit dej inclus.
Très bon accueil comme pour SPYD en 2012
Automatic translation
[Google]
Hotel Weisses Rössli in Leukerbad village center tel +41 (0) 27 570 33 77 and info@roessli-leukerbad.ch Price 44 chf 1 person room with beautiful small dej included. Very good reception as for spyd in 2012
SPYD - 2012-09-23
Petit coup de fatigue, nous avons pris le téléphérique Gampel-Jeixinen, et avons rejoint la via un peu après Erschmatt.
Aprés Albinen (trés joli village) nous avons pris le sentier parallèle et au dessus de la route jusqu'à Flaschen.
Les échelles sont à faire !
Trés bon accueil à l'hotel Weisses Rossli (+41274703377) en plein centre de Leukerbad.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Little bit tired, we took the cable-Jeixinen Gampel, and have joined a little later via Erschmatt. After Albinen (very pretty village) we took the path that runs parallel and above the road to Flaschen. Scales are to do! Very Welcoming Hotel Weisses Rossli ( 41274703377) in the center of Leukerbad.
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7h10 |
18.6 km
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1281 m
|
526 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.