Gemmi Pass
Tuesday 26.6.18
The Gemmi Pass is a high mountain pass across the Bernese Alps connecting Leukerbad in the Valais with Kandersteg. The pass itself lies within the canton of Valais at a height of 2270m. and can be reached by a rather dramatic 2 hour hike from Leukerbad....or via the cable car from Kandersteg to Sunnbuel.
We were taking the cable car from Kandersteg and a 10k walk on to the pass.
From Sunnbuel you can reach the Spittelmatte in around 15mins and the route to the Gemmipass follows the valley that opens up in front of you.
From the Spittelmatte the ascent up the Hotel Schwarenbach will take around 40-45 mins....a good place to take a break and some refreshment.....it is roughly the half way point.
This isolated mountain inn was first built in 1742 but had to be re-built in 1743 following an avalanche. The guestbook would make interesting reading as Lenin, Picasso, Alexander Dumas and Mark Twain have all stayed there.
The track swings around the bowl next to the Hotel and then climbs gradually between rocky crags. This is followed by a refreshing descent to the shores of Daubensee .
From the lake there is a choice of paths....either the mountain track off to the right or the broad track off to the left. The left hand track is the most direct.
The hotel at the pass has the most fabulous views down to Leukerbad and beyond......high mountains spread out in front of you, including the Matterhorn....an extraordinary place.
We have walked down to Leukerbad in the past.....but not today. A drink and photography and then a return walk to the cable car at Sunnbuel.
The Gemmi Pass is a high mountain pass across the Bernese Alps connecting Leukerbad in the Valais with Kandersteg. The pass itself lies within the canton of Valais at a height of 2270m. and can be reached by a rather dramatic 2 hour hike from Leukerbad....or via the cable car from Kandersteg to Sunnbuel.
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| Gemmipass |
We were taking the cable car from Kandersteg and a 10k walk on to the pass.
From Sunnbuel you can reach the Spittelmatte in around 15mins and the route to the Gemmipass follows the valley that opens up in front of you.
From the Spittelmatte the ascent up the Hotel Schwarenbach will take around 40-45 mins....a good place to take a break and some refreshment.....it is roughly the half way point.
This isolated mountain inn was first built in 1742 but had to be re-built in 1743 following an avalanche. The guestbook would make interesting reading as Lenin, Picasso, Alexander Dumas and Mark Twain have all stayed there.
The track swings around the bowl next to the Hotel and then climbs gradually between rocky crags. This is followed by a refreshing descent to the shores of Daubensee .
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| Daubensee with the Gemmipass in the distance |
From the lake there is a choice of paths....either the mountain track off to the right or the broad track off to the left. The left hand track is the most direct.
The hotel at the pass has the most fabulous views down to Leukerbad and beyond......high mountains spread out in front of you, including the Matterhorn....an extraordinary place.
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| Traversing the snow on the approach to the Gemmipass |
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| Gentiana verna, Spring gentian |
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| Saxifraga oppositifolia, Purple saxifrage |
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| Thlaspi montanum, Mountain pennycress |
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| Thlaspi montanum and Thlaspi corymbosum |
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| Robin at Gemmipass |
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| Leukerbad |
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| The rather scary viewing platform at Gemmipass |
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| The highest mountain here is Mischabel or Dom |
We have walked down to Leukerbad in the past.....but not today. A drink and photography and then a return walk to the cable car at Sunnbuel.
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