Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R101
Adelboden » Lenk
Trail crossing
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4h30 |
13.2 km
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629 m
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906 m
Leave Adelboden and walk towards the south west, first along the Allebach stream and then along the Gilsbach stream. During the ascent from Geilsbüel to the Hahnenmoos pass, you must follow the road for a short distance. From the pass, continue then on a gentle descent to the Büelberg and on to Lenk, the stage destination.
Leave Adelboden passing the church and walking along the village street scattered with mainly wooden buildings into the valley. Above the Waldhaus-Huldi hotel, where the street begins to climb a little, the glorious location of the village becomes evident. Look across the valley floor to Wildstrubel, Steghorn and Tschingellochtighorn; next come the Gross and Chly Lohner, which are divided by the sharply cut Bunderchrinde gap. Leave the village behind to reach the crossroads where the Hahnenmoosstrasse road leads straight along the wooded slopes high above the roaring Allebach stream, which must be crossed several minutes later. A little further below flows the Gilsbach stream. The road climbs uphill and reaches the Gilbach terrace. This lovely piece of land enticed people to build numerous holiday chalets here. Continue along the slightly uphill road, passing sunburned houses sporting witty sayings on their facades. At the bridge near Bergläger, over which the road turns to the left, take the traffic-free trail on the left-hand bank of the Gilsbach stream to continue. Later, walk through woodland and across meadows uphill on the right-hand bank until reaching the road again just before Geilsbüel. Head over the Geilsmäder mountain meadowland, climb to the Hahnenmoos pass with the eponymous mountain hotel. This countryside picture is influenced by several winter sports installations. To descend to Büelberg, use the old mule track with a far-reaching view into the Simmental valley and to the heights of the Wildstrubel over to the Wildhorn. The mountain trail leads over the Brandegg and an administrative boundary westward and opens out just above the valley onto the Büelbergstrasse road, which leads directly into the village of Lenk. (Schweizer Wanderwege).
Natural and cultural heritage
Lenk The name Lenk derives from the old reference to its location on the Lengi Egg, the ridge sloping downward to the north from the Laubhorn peak. The first settlements were on the right slope of the valley, there where the Rawil and Hahnenmoos passes divide. As the last village on the climb to the Rawil pass, Lenk was the first resting place on Bernese soil for itinerant merchants bringing wine from the Rhonetal valley in the olden days. Back then, Bern and Wallis were frequently engaged in disputes with each other. For instance, one story tells of the following event: once when the men of Lenk had gone off to do military service, the Walsers climbed over the pass to steal the cattle in the Langmatte meadows. On reaching the other side of the Rawil pass, they drank to celebrate their success with great quantities of Fendant wine. Unknown to them, however, the rogues of Lenk had followed them. They then removed the bells from the grazing cattle and kept ringing them until the cattle had been driven back over the pass. Furious, the tricked Walsers now started out to take revenge on the village of Lenk. Without delay, the women of Lenk armed themselves with scythes and hay forks and went to face the Walsers on the Langmatte meadow, where they beat them into retreat. The sword and spindle on the local coat of arms remind us of this memorable occasion. Since the 13th century, Lenk has belonged to the domain of various noblemen. By the year 1441, however, most of the property belonged to the Lords of Bubenberg. In 1504/05, the inhabitants of Lenk built a new church. They at first resisted the Reformation, but then accepted it in 1529. In 1828, the valley road was opened and a daily postal service operated as of 1865. In 1878, a large part of the village including the church was destroyed by fire. Tourism in Lenk started in 1688 with the opening of a little sulphurous bath. However, its actual development into a famous spa resort only began in the middle of 19th century. The sulphurous baths of Lenk are among the strongest in Europe. The MOB Zweisimmen-Lenk railway line, which opened in 1912, doubtlessly contributed to Lenk’s world-wide reputation as a summer and winter spa resort. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
Berner Oberland West ~ Bergverlag Rudolf Rother (ISBN 3-7633-4282-6)
20 Bergwanderungen Region Berner Oberland ~ WERD Verlag (ISBN 3-85932-276-1)
Picture gallery
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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.
Walking the red trail in the summers of 2021-23, I kept (some) track of water availability, bivouac possibilities, grocery stores en route, possibly difficult passages, and thoughts about alternative routing. -- Entered here for R1-R40, but not for R41-R161 due to the space limit on personal comments. For full notes covering all stages see http://carstenholz.com/Via-Alpina.pdf
Berta - 2018-07-12
In Lenk gibt es die Mountain Lodge & Backpacker Camp, Guttenbrunnenstraße, direkt am Weg, ganz in der Nähe vom Zentrum. Es gibt eine Küche, Geschirr und Kaffeemaschine. In der Nähe gibt es einen Supermarkt (Coop). Die Zimmer sind einfach, sauber und funktionel. Bett im 4 Bett oder 6 Bettzimmer ohne Frühstück 40 CHF.
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In Lenk there is the Mountain Lodge & Backpacker Camp, Guttenbrunnenstraße, right on the path, very close to the center. There is a kitchen, dishes and coffee maker. Nearby there is a supermarket (Coop). The rooms are simple, clean and functional. Bed in 4 bed or 6 bed without breakfast 40 CHF.
Tentorini Chantal - 2015-09-28
Camping de Lenk très bien avec salle pour manger équipée (micro-ondes, réchaud, accès Internet gratuit,...) et le tout pour 9 FS.
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Camping Lenk fine with dining room equipped (microwave, stove, free Internet access, ...) and all for 9 FS.
Alpinisten - 2015-08-16
In Lenk gibt es das Hotel&Restaurant Waldrand, Aegartenstrasse, Tel.033/7368282. Gutes Essen, freundliche Wirtsleute. Liegt günstig am Weg.
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In steering, there is the Hotel & Restaurant Waldrand, Aegartenstrasse, Tel.033 / 7,368,282th Good food, friendly innkeepers. Strategically located at the path.
Lenk - Hahnenmoospass about 1h30, restaurant about half way in between. Ski area here, wide trail (ugly construction to improve skiing facilities)
Hahnenmoospass - Adelboden about 2h10 going down, also a restaurant half way down
Adelboden have 2 camping places. One is in the village lower part nearby Via Alpina trail. Campingplatz Albo 18,1CHF for camping place + washing machine and drying + electricity + wifi.Hot shower cost 1CHF extra
SPYD - 2012-09-23
A Lenk, bon accueil à Okohof Schoenegrund (+41337333957)
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A Lenk, welcome Ökohof Schoenegrund ( 41337333957)
Daniel - 2010-10-17
For the lazy among us, From Adelboden you could take the cable-car all the way up and down to Büehlberg, and from there take the bus to Lenk.
Daniel - 2010-10-17
In Lenk, Hotel Garni Alpenruh (SF57) is OK, friendly young warden.
|
4h30 |
13.2 km
|
629 m
|
906 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.