Via Alpina Étape 13 : Griesalp - Kandersteg

The place

#### A Royal Stage above the Hohtürli The hiking stage that peaks at 2,778 metres altitude on the Hohtürli is a rewarding passage with a notable stop at the Blümlisalphütte hut, alongside the eternal ice of the glaciers. The descent across the moraines leads to the sublime Lake Oeschinen, a deep blue expanse of water surrounded by steep cliffs, considered one of the most splendid mountain lakes in the Alps. #### Description of Stage 13 of the Via Alpina Stage 13 is the crowning section of the Via Alpina, crossing the Hohtürli (2,778 m). It passes near striking glaciers and Lake Oeschinen with its azure waters on the way to Kandersteg. The hike begins in Griesalp, part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschorn UNESCO World Heritage Site. A postbus ride, reputed to be the steepest in Europe, takes you from Reichenbach via the village of Kiental to Griesalp in about 45 minutes. From the hotel, the trail enters a magnificent mountain forest dominated by spruce. After crossing the tree line, hikers reach the upper Bundalp in about 90 minutes. #### Natural Environment It is in these alpine meadows that the hike gains height. As the ascent progresses, the landscape becomes rocky at around 2,400 m. At 'Uf der Wart', the last difficulty before the pass appears: around 300 metres of elevation gain via steep steps to reach the Hohtürli. This demanding section really gets hikers' hearts pounding. #### Detour to the Blüemlisalp Refuge After a minimum of four hours of walking, a detour to the astonishing Blüemlisalp hut is highly recommended. The panoramas of the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Schilthorn, Lake Thun, the Niesen, the Wildi Frau, the Blüemlisalphorn and the Blüemlisalp glacier as far as the Wildstrubel are spectacular. #### Descent to Lake Oeschinen The rocky trail then descends, offering a breathtaking view of the Kandertal valley. Near Lake Rossbodensee, the Blüemlisalp glacier appears in all its grandeur. Lake Oeschinen comes into view for the first time near the Oberbärgli mountain hut. Surrounded by 500-metre cliffs, glaciers and centuries-old fir trees, this lake draws mountain hikers and visitors from around the world. #### Encounter with Local Wildlife The final descent follows the course of the Öschibach stream to Kandersteg, located at the entrance to the Lötschberg tunnel. Depending on the hiker's fitness level, this final stretch may require one last effort of willpower to complete this long and demanding hike.