Baltschieder Klettersteig + Nasenlöcher

If you're only about via ferrata, then the ca. 1500m of ascent involved in doing the Baltschieder Klettersteig is probably too much for you. However, integrate the via ferrata into a two-day adventure with an overnight stay at the Wiwannihütte and you're in for a treat.

Day 1
Ausserberg - Suone Niwärch - Baltschieder Klettersteig - Wiwannihütte
5h45, 1500m ascent, 50m descent, T3 and K4

Just the approach from Ausserberg into the Baltschiedertal is already a worthwhile hike on its own. The path (T3, well-constructed but very exposed) follows the Niwärch-Suone, maybe the most spectacular of the historical irrigation channels in the Valais.

From P. 1386, the approach to the Baltschieder Klettersteig is marked white-blue-white (sometimes with two paths in parallel). After a brief protected section through an interesting tunnel in the rocks, the via ferrata proper starts at ca. 1800m. The older, easier variation of the via ferrata is no longer maintained, so that the newer, harder variation is the only option. This should not deter too much. The first 200m are near-vertical, but always with plenty of iron rungs in the rock and without difficult climbing moves (K4, might be slightly harder for short people). This is also the most spectacular section of the via ferrata. Afterwards, the route gets less exciting, with longer sections over Schrofen instead of on rock. Only one large pillar offers a real challenge in the second part of the route. From the top of the via ferrata, you get a nice view of the nearby Wiwannihütte with the Saastal in the background.

Day 2
Wiwannihütte - Trosiboden - Nasenlöcher - Naturbrücke Bietschbach - Ausserberg
6h15, 250m ascent, 1700m descent, T6- and II

From the Wiwannihütte, we start by descending to Trosiboden, which takes ca. 1h30. Directly at the wooden "Trosiboden" sign (not lower down, as is claimed by some route descriptions -- I'm looking at you, "Rund um die Berner Alpen") there is a path through the woods heading north. The correctness of this trail is soon confirmed by a wooden "Nasenlöcher" sign and by blue paint marks. The path quickly gets steeper, as some sections are protected by fixed ropes and chains. Soon, the route changes character again, when number of steep, brittle rock faces need to be traversed. Bolts are provided here and indeed it's a good idea to bring a rope and some carabiners/quickdraws. The climbing is relatively easy, but the scree and brittle rock inspires very little confidence. Moreover, there is a danger of stones falling spontaneously from above (helmet!).

The Nasenlöcher can be seen from the traverse, but rather than taking a direct line to this cave, the route climbs a little again above the cave, before finally descending steeply through woodland to the cave entry. Backpacks and the rope can be left here, but don't forget your helmet and head-torch! You enter the cave though the "left nose hole" (fixed ropes) and exit it through the "ear" some 30m higher. The exploration will get your feed wet and your trousers dirty, but it is well worth it. The cave is never too confined and offers some pleasant scrambling. There's a useful fixed cable for climbing up one small waterfall. At the back of the cave, you find an intriguing small pond (the "brains" of the cave). After turning around here, you have the narrow and dusty exit through the "ear" directly ahead of you. From the log book at the exit, you're just a few steps away from the Trosiboden-Nasenlöcher path.

My brother was at first reluctant to enter the cave, so I did a first exploration alone. Afterwards, I managed to convince him to do a second cave traverse together after all :).

The descent from the Nasenlöcher into the Bietschtal once again involves some fixed ropes and chains (more blue paint markings), but a rope is not necessary here (T5-). From the bridge at P. 1339, we find ourselves on official hiking paths again. At the natural bridge over the Bietschbach, we join the popular Lötschberg Südrampe hiking route. We walk along another Suone and after a little additional up-and-down we finally reach Ausserberg again.