Leiststock - Nüenchamm at sunset

Long days and stable weather: perfect conditions for another after-work sunset hike.

We drive up to Mullernberg, where the restaurant is now permanently closed, so it's no problem to use the parking there. We hike up to the Hofalpli, where the ascent to the Fedensattel starts along the fence behind the alp buildings. There are large but infrequent white-blue-white markings as we walk uphill through some clearings in the woods. At ca. 1450m, the path traverses left and soon becomes easier to follow as it climbs through flowery meadows and zigzags between impressive rock formations.

From the Fedensattel, we follow the ridge northwards. There's some easy scrambling before the path boldly leads over the top of a narrow section of ridge. To avoid the Leiststock summit crags, the path traverses through the steep grassy west face. Subsequently, fixed chains secure the steep ascent to the Leiststock summit (T4 thanks to the chains).

The path between Leiststock and Nüenchamm is easier. The main challenge to the hiker with short trousers are the occasional nettles. A spectacular rock tooth in the middle of the ridge offers some optional limestone scrambling and a great photo opportunity.

The sun sets (unfortunately behind some clouds) as we are on the Nüenchamm summit. We descend on the white-red-white hiking paths via Oberer Nüen and Rietegg. The path from Rietegg to the goat farm at Boden (part of the "Schabziger Höhenweg") traverses below some rock walls and across small waterfalls. Unfortunately it's already quite dark at this point, but I imagine that this would be an easy yet impressive trail during the daytime.