Hiking Collection by komoot
17-38
days
3-6 h
/ day
186 mi
55,000 ft
56,425 ft
Promising peaks, high alpine passes and gentle pastures characterize the Green Trail of the Via Alpina. From Liechtenstein it goes over the most beautiful mountain ranges of Switzerland up to Lenk. On the multi-faceted route you will encounter a unique culture, topography and flora. Wide forest roads alternate with narrow, sometimes challenging ridges and take you to picturesque pastures.
Since 2002, a network of hiking trails has been pervading the Alpine countries between Trieste and Monaco. Five colors mark five different routes of the Via Alpina. The Green Trail leads in 15 stages from Vaduz to Lenk. From the wide Rhine Valley you walk at the beginning through the beautiful Pre-Alps with their clear streams and roaring waterfalls. Soon you will crack the 2,000-meter mark and can enjoy colorful alpine pastures like the Urnerboden. Quaint places like Altdorf line the path and in the Bernese Oberland you'll find the world-famous backdrop of the Eiger North Face. For the pass crossings in Central Switzerland, such as the Bernese Oberland, you should bring sure-footedness and alpine experience. This trail of the Via Alpina allows you to experience the Swiss Alpine culture in all its beauty like no other long-distance hiking trail.
The respective stages end either in larger villages with a good choice of accommodation or at lodges, that offer rooms. It is also possible to shorten some sections with cable cars and train rides. Along the entire route are small Beizlis and modern mountain restaurants, which spoil you with regional delicacies. You can reach the starting point at the observation tower Gaflei by car or bus from Vaduz. The destination Lenk has a train station - so you do not have to worry about arrival and departure.
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Last updated: May 20, 2022
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The Via Alpina Green Trail starts at Alp Gaflei, 400 meters above Vaduz. Gaflei can be reached by bus from Vaduz or by car. Surrounded by the idyllic mountains of Liechtenstein, you can walk across flowering alpine meadows and through deep forests.
From Gaflei and its look-out tower, the Via Alpina winds…
by komoot
On today's stage, you can look forward to the Swiss mountain idyll in its purest form: the remote Weisstannental is characterized by plenty of peace and a unique panorama. You leave Sargans heading west and cross the Seez. On the ascent to Vermol you can make a detour to the shimmering Lake Chapfensee…
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Even today, the lapping of the Seez accompanies you on your hike. Passing the ultramodern Alp Siez, which has a show dairy, the Via Alpina leads to Foopass. The perfect place for a stop is the quaint Alp Walabütz: On the terrace you can indulge yourself with homemade food and enjoy the view of the surrounding…
by komoot
At the beginning of the fourth stage, the path climbs steeply up to the stallion floor. Alternatively, you can bridge the first piece to Ämpächli by cable car. On the way to the Erbsalp, you can again marvel at the impressive rock overburden at the Tschingelhörner. In addition, there is always the view…
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The fifth stage begins with the ascent to Braunwald, which can also be covered with the Braunwaldbahn. The view into the deep valley is impressive. From Braunwald you walk at the same height remaining to Nußbüel. The local economy is widely known for its homemade Guglhupf that you should not miss.
On…
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You leave the idyllic Urner Boden uphill in the direction of Klausenpass, which is soon in sight. Following the old pass, you make some height difference and cross the pass road several times. The dreamlike, constantly changing views make this part of the Via Alpina something very special.
At the Klausenpass…
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On the seventh day you leave Altdorf heading south and cross the Reuss, which flows into Lake Lucerne. At Attinghausen begins the long ascent to the Surenenpass, which you can shorten by a ride on the gondola to Brüsti. From Brüsti a promising ridge path leads through the high alpine landscape to the…
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This stage takes you through a popular recreation area that attracts nature lovers in winter and summer alike. An advantage are the many cable cars, with which you can also simplify this route. In the south of Engelberg the path winds behind the Hotel Bänklialp in tight curves up the slope.
The first…
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Rested you go on the ninth day on the way from the Engstlenalp to Meiringen. On a well secured path you first walk up to the Tannalp. There you will find an alp cheese dairy, an inn and a small chapel. Behind is the beautiful Tannensee, which is bounded on one side by a dam wall.
A particularly attractive…
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Glittering waterfalls and breathtaking peaks mark the tenth stage of the Via Alpina: from Meiringen you climb up to Zwirgi and the Reichenbach Falls. Over seven steps, the water plunges into the depths. As an alternative to the ascent you can take the cog railway.
The Gschwantenmad plateau impresses with…
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Through the foothills of Grindelwald you head south and take course on the world-famous mountains Eiger, Wetterhorn and Jungfrau. You will not be alone at this stage. The path leads steadily uphill and the mighty rock and ice landscapes of the Eiger North Face seem close enough to touch. Following the…
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After a restful night in Lauterbrunnen, you head south. Already at the beginning, the Via Alpina leads you back up again: the path meanders up the cogwheel train to Mürren. Magnificent alpine meadows and wide views accompany you. If you want to save your feet, you can cover the section to Mürren by train…
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In a southerly direction you leave the idyllic Griesalp with its waterfalls and climb up to the Upper Bundalp. At first you walk through shady forest, but most of the 13th stage is on exposed slopes. Therefore, we recommend you bring enough water. In the Alpbeizli on the Upper Bundalp, you can strengthen…
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From the traditional wooden houses Kandersteg it goes at the beginning along the course of the Kander. Then the path leads steeply through the forest up to the cliffs of the Lohner. Sure-footedness is needed on the trails. With a bit of luck, you can see or hear daring ibexes and chamois in the mountain…
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The last stage of the green path of the Via Alpina starts with a leisurely section along the Allebach and then along the Gilsbach stream. Where many skiers waggle over the slopes in winter, the summer is quiet and relaxed. In addition to the path, you can enjoy the diverse flora small moorland and wet…
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