recommended route
Great Daubenhorn via ferrata
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Ladder at the Great Daubenhorn via ferrataPhoto: My Leukerbad AG
The Daubenhorn via ferrata is the longest in Switzerland, graded K5 (extremely difficult). The itinerary leads almost entirely along vertical rock faces, and features many memorable highlights including a cave with a waterfall.
difficult
Distance 9.2 km
8:00 h
1,246 m
1,246 m
2,940 m
2,031 m
The highly impressive and extrem difficult via ferrata offers the visitor the opportunity to enjoy the unique panorama of the Valais Alps. After 8 hours or so of climbing a good 1,000 metres you finally arrive at the Daubenhorn summit (2,941 metres above sea level)
Author’s recommendation
After having conquered the Daubenhorn via ferrata, relax your muscles in the bubbling water of Leukerbad's thermal baths.
Difficulty
E
difficult
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Risk potential
Highest point
Daubenhorn, 2,940 m
Lowest point
Untere Schmitte, 2,031 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cardinal direction
Access
0 m
0:20 h
Wall height
900 m
Climbing length
2,100 m,
6:00 h
Descent
700 m,
1:30 h
Track types
Forested/wild trail
1.1 km
Path
5.3 km
Via ferrata
2.3 km
Traces of trail
0.5 km
Secured trail
0 km
Safety information
Weather conditions: before setting off to tackle a via ferrata, it is important to check the weather forecast. Bad conditions can make climbing dangerous – particularly in stormy weather.Rockfalls: because of the risk of falling rocks – usually caused by climbers higher up or by animals – all climbers are strongly advised to wear a helmet.
Safety: always leave sufficient distance between yourself and the climber ahead. There should never be more than one person between two anchor points.
Tips and hints
Rental:- Local sports shops in Leukerbad
- Gemmi cable car
Find more information about the destination here:
Start
Gemmi Pass (2,338 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'613'632E 1'138'555N
DD
46.398223, 7.615885
DMS
46°23'53.6"N 7°36'57.2"E
UTM
32T 393596 5139225
w3w
///forever.sensitive.stability
Destination
Gemmi Pass
Turn-by-turn directions
The route begins with a climb of about 20 minutes up a footpath along the Gemmiwand cliffs. At “Untere Schmitte”, an information panel gives an idea of the route you are about to follow. During the first part of the via ferrata, you cross the Gemmiwand before reaching an intermediate exit at an altitude of 2,300 m. The itinerary continues along a ladder through a 100-metre chimney, which can be climbed in two ways. The normal route leads across a waterfall, while the tougher variant bypasses it before leaving the chimney. A series of other ladders, some of which are overhanging, brings you to the summit of the Daubenhorn at an altitude of nearly 3,000 m. The views here are breathtaking. The descent leads via the small Daubenhorn Glacier to a plateau, where the path initially follows the stream before a final gentle climb to the Gemmi cable car.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Leuk can be reached by train (SBB), then by bus (LLB - Leuk Leukerbad Bus Reisen) to the starting point in Leukerbad. From Leukerbad you reach the Gemmi cable car by foot or by taking the local bus.Find full timetable information at sbb.ch.
Getting there
From Basel and Zurich: A1 motorway to Bern; A6 to Spiez; direction Kandersteg; Kandersteg - Goppenstein car transport; direction Gampel; Leuk - Leukerbad.From Geneva: Motorway A1 to Lausanne; direction Sion/Sierre; Leuk - Leukerbad.
From Milan: Motorway A8/A26 direction Simplon; car transport Iselle-Brig; direction Leuk - Leukerbad.
Parking
Park directly at the Gemmi cable car or use different parking possibilities in the village of Leukerbad. Follow the local car park routeing.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'613'632E 1'138'555N
DD
46.398223, 7.615885
DMS
46°23'53.6"N 7°36'57.2"E
UTM
32T 393596 5139225
w3w
///forever.sensitive.stability
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Eugen E. Hüsler, Daniel Anker : Die Klettersteige der Schweiz
The tourist office in Leukerbad has got brochures and information material about climbing in the region and will give you detailled information about this via ferrata.
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 1267 Gemmi
Equipment
All climbers must wear a harness. Because of the risk of falling rocks along the route, a helmet is also essential.Ensure you have sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing, and bring a small rucksack with water and a snack. A suitable pair of gloves will protect your fingers and knuckles from grazes.
Reviews
Difficulty
E
difficult
Distance
9.2 km
Duration
8:00 h
Ascent
1,246 m
Descent
1,246 m
Highest point
2,940 m
Lowest point
2,031 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 5 Waypoints
- 5 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others