The first climbing path for tourists from Fidaz via the Pinut onto the Flimserstein was already constructed in the early 20th century. In 2007, the route was completely renovated. The ladder route is now one of the easiest via ferratas in Switzerland; ideal for beginners who want to discover the concept of via ferrata without...

The Sichelchamm is one of the most eye-catching peaks along the Walensee, thanks to the eponymous sickle-shaped west face. It's also one of the only mountains in the Churfirsten-Alvier range that can be ascended directly from the south, though by no means along an easy route! After last weekend's taste of winter, this weekend...

In summer, the Flüela Schwarzhorn has a reputation for being one of the most overcrowded 3000m summits, thanks to the easy ascent from the Flüelapass. However, after the first snow has fallen (and with Swiss people being called to vote in the elections) that picture changes dramatically. I had the whole mountain to myself.The...

With a sprained ankle, the wise decision would be to let it rest and recover all weekend. But with an opportunity to climb the spectacular Schächentaler Windgällen in perfect autumn conditions, I was never going to stay down in the fog in Zürich. So I told my ankle: "you better get well by Saturday, because I'm going up whether...

When the Föhn is doing its thing, it's always a good idea to head to the Ostschweiz. On this occasion, I made my first exploration of the Alvierkette. ---- After parking the car at the Berghaus Malbun (6 CHF, and four of those you can get back when you consume something at the restaurant), the ascend starts along a small...

There is a well-marked hiking route around the Lac the Mourycalled the "2500m tour", because most of the walk stays around that altitude. Following that example, I'll have to call my route the "Lac de Moury 3000m tour". ---- Day 1 Sorebois - Pointe de Tsirouc - Corne de Sorebois - Arête de Sorebois - Garde de Bordon -...

After a careful study of the MeteoSchweiz wind forecast, looking for somewhere to escape the hurricane force Föhn winds, I ended up at the Grönhütte in the Justistal. The road here between Beatenberg and Sigriswil is a toll road (5 CHF; ticket machine) and there is parking some 100m past the Grönhütte in the direction of...

A via ferrata day with two colleagues from work had been planned for a while. The weather made us take the train all the way to sunny Ticino, where we took in two vie ferrate in one day. ---- Via Ferrata San Salvatore (from Lugano Paradiso, including summit visit) K5, 650m ascent (130m on via ferrata), 2h45 We hike up on...

Another hot August weekend made a perfect occasion for a two day hike with bivouac in the CH-A-FL border area. Since this area is already well documented on Hikr, I'll limit myself to a few bullet points: ---- * The Älplibahn only has a capacity of 32 people per hour. Getting a reservation for the cable car can be difficult...

Back in June, I hosted fellow Belgian Sarah in Zürich through CouchSurfing. She was on her way into the Oberwallis two work the whole summer as "Zusennerin" at the Alp Furgge in Gregniols. In return, I got an open invitation to come spend a night on the alp. An ideal opportunity to combine this with some peak-bagging in the...

A Hikr first ascent? Not very likely. Surely many people doing the Joriseen Rundweg would have visited the summit of P. 2820, an easy 5 minute detour from the Winterlücke. The west ridge of P. 2820, however, is a bit more interesting and probably almost never visited. So let's make a Hikr report out of it anyway... My original...

The Leukerbad via ferrata onto the Daubenhorn is the longest and one of the hardest in Switzerland. The via ferrata goes on almost without interruption for a vertical kilometre. In order to make an early start possible and still get a good night's rest, I already travelled to Leukerbad on Thursday evening. ---- It's a...

A two day hike in a remote location was required in order to escape the Swiss national holiday festivities. The inspiration came from the Nollenhorn and Joderhorn descriptions in the SAC Alpinwandern/Gipfelziele Oberwallis guidebook, though in the end we didn't visit either summit. With bad weather on Saturday, we decided to limit...

Day 1: Arolla - Pas de Chèvres - Cabane des Dix(T4, 1050m ascent, 150m descent, 4 hours) The Val d'Hérens is not as peaceful as expected when we travel in by Postauto. There is an overwhelming police presence and we pass through several police checkpoints along the road. Apparently they were on the hunt for two burglars, who...

With its iconic trapezoidal summit snow field, Vrenelisgärtli is one of the most recognizable mountains in the Zürich "skyline". Though it misses out on being the highest summit of the Glärnisch massif by a couple of metres, it's certainly the most popular peak in the area. I'm always keen to avoid busy normal routes, and the...

Taking a day off to escape the heat wave, the goal had to be somewhere high up in order to find cooler temperatures. The Piz Mitgel via ferrata had been opened last week, with the Savognin website recommending ice axe and crampons for the summit ascent. Fully equipped, we drove to the Plang la Curvanera car park at 1844m. The...

The Niederbauen-Chulm was my first proper Swiss summit after I moved to Zürich in 2013. Two years later, I came back for the continuation of the mountain chain. ---- After taking the Niederbauen cable car, we head for the Oberbauenstock. There are no signposts at P. 1758, where the Oberbauenstock route leaves the main...

After having done the via ferrata of "the face" on Le Moléson last year, I went back for the via ferrata of "the pillar". The two routes run next to each other up the north face of the Moléson. Le Pilier is slightly easier (K4-) but the difference is not massive. The via ferrata du Pilier is a mix between rather mucky ledges and...

I've really come to enjoy my after work sunset hikes this spring. The time had come for another one: Grosser Mythen via Schafweg and Rot Grätli. It's hardly a secret route. There are tons of reports here on Hikr (excellent descriptions in German e.g. by Chrichen,Bergmuzz, أجنبيand HBT), some of which also at sunset. The...

After many cancelled plans due to different "personal circumstances" and the weather, I finally found a few dry hours to go out on Sunday afternoon. With David and Franziska I headed for the Vitznauerstock / Gersauerstock, on the border between Luzern and Schwyz. It is claimed as a "Hausberg" by both the Luzern village of Vitznau...