The Gantrisch via ferrata route is a challenging, sporty climb with a grade of C/D. The route includes a vertical ascent of 260m on the ferrata and a total of 600m. The climb takes approximately 1h30min to complete and is followed by a descent of 1h15min. The entire tour is around 3h45min.
Summary
Grade: C/D – view topo
Vertical: 260m ferrata, 600m total
Time: 1h approach, 1h30min ferrata, 1h15min descent, 3h45min total
Access / Parking: 46.7223,7.4458 – Google Maps or any Android maps app
Start via ferrata: 46.7061,7.4552 – Mapy.cz or any Android maps app
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Map
Access
To get to the parking lot, take the A6 towards Thun-Nord, then drive through Seftigen and Wattenwil towards Gurnigel. It is best to park at the upper parking lot above “Wasserscheidi”. Alternatively, take the A12 towards Rossens and Plaffeien towards Gurnigel.
If traveling by train/bus, take the train to Thurnen via Bern or Thun and then continue by bus to Gurnigel Wasserscheide. Alternatively, take the train to Schwarzenburg via Bern and then take the bus to Gurnigel Wasserscheide.
Approach to start
From the bus stop or the car park, head along the watershed on the gravel track over Nünenenberg to Alp Obernünenen. Keep right towards Leiterebode and ascend towards Leiterepass until the access path to the via ferrata branches off to the right at 1820 meters. Follow this path through scree to reach the start of the climb.
The route
The climb features French-style equipment with numerous brackets, a few ladders, and a loosely-strung steel cable. The Gantrisch via ferrata offers panoramic views from the summit, stretching from the Jura mountains in the north to the famous four-thousanders of the Bernese Alps in the south.
Descent
After reaching the top of the via ferrata, climb for another 10 minutes towards the summit of Gantrisch (2176 m). Shortly before the summit, take the white-red-white marked descent path to the left (with some A-rated sections). Turn left again at 2110 meters and cross to the Leiterepass (1905 m). Descend into the scree to reach the access path. Follow the path back to the parking lot.
There are other various options for descent possible. For example, the slightly longer descent from Gantrisch summit via Morgetepass and then down, north to Gantrischseeli.
Good to know
From 15 october to 15 June, the via ferrata is closed for wildlife protection reasons.
Can get crowded in the Summer months, in high season.
The parking lots at Gurnigel Wasserscheide can be paid with cash or by scanning a QR code and paying with an app on your phone.
The climb is also known as a lucky climb, as it was opened on 07.07.2007, and the number 7 is considered a lucky number in many cultures.
It is best to avoid climbing on cloudy days so you can enjoy the spectacular views from the summit.
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Video
Weather
Main sources
- gantrisch.ch (German)
- sac-cas.ch
- bergsteigen.com (German)