Piz Julier

The Piz Julier is one of the highest summits in Switzerland with an official (white-blue-white) hiking path to the top. The mountain is often included in via ferrata guidebooks, but it's certainly not a real via ferrata. There are some fixed chains (starting at ca. 3000m and increasing in frequency higher up), but it's perfectly possible to reach the top without touching a single chain. Still, it's a serious alpine route that fully deserves the white-blue-white markings and should only be attempted in stable weather. Already below the Fuorcla Albana, there are some demanding boulder fields and steep paths over loose soil.

Most people seem to reach the summer between noon and 2pm. My brother and I started our hike relatively late. When we arrive at the summit, there are still many other hikers around. They soon all start their descent, leaving the summit and its magnificent panorama all for us.