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Lötschental - Petersgrat - Stechelberg

Ski Touring · Switzerland

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Swiss Alpine Adventure

Starting the climb to the Petersgrat
Photo: Dave O'Riordan, Swiss Alpine Adventure

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An incredibly scenic tour with stunning views over the Walliser and Bern Alps, through variable terrain. The tour is for a large part over glacier so additional safety measures need to be taken.

moderate

Distance 23.6 km

5:30 h

649 m

2,487 m

3,187 m

885 m

The tour from the ski area of Lauchernalp over the Petersgrat to the Lauterbrünnen valley is a stunning high Alpine tour with great views on the surrounding mountains and the glacier landscape you travel on. As far as high alpine tours go it is relatively easy with only approx. 600m of altitude gain, however those who are not used to activities at high altitude may find the going relatively tough. The tour is a great day out and a great introduction to high alpine touring.

Author’s recommendation

If you are not familiar with travel in glacial terrain then only do this tour with a mountain guide. Contact us for further information.

Author

Dave O'Riordan

Update: April 14, 2015

Difficulty

moderate

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Risk potential

Highest point

3,187 m

Lowest point

885 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

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May

Jun

Jul

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Cardinal direction

Track types

Show elevation profile

Safety information

The tour starts and spends a lot of time on glacial terrain. If you are not familiar with the safety measures which need to be taken in this terrain then only do this tour with a qualified mountain guide. Parts of this tour cross some very steep terrain with elevated avalanche danger. It should only be attempted in safe avalanche conditions.

We run this tour as part of our Tour around the Jungfrau with Swiss Alpine Adventure activitiy once a year can also arrange for other dates if neccesary.

Tips and hints

For more of our favourite tours remember to check out www.swissalpineadventure.com - tours.

Start

Lauchernalp Ski Area - Hockenhorngrat (2,723 m)

Coordinates:

SwissGrid

2'624'755E 1'142'305N

46.431637, 7.760712

DMS

46°25'53.9"N 7°45'38.6"E

UTM

32T 404788 5142753

w3w

///mass.automate.wash

Show on Map

Destination

Stechelberg

Turn-by-turn directions

From the top of the Hockenhorn lift in the Lauchernalp ski area take the "Petersgrat ski piste" towards Gandegg. As the piste narrows and splits stay left on the narrow, flat traverse until where it suddenly turns right to go back towards Gandegg. Here you can put your skins on for the climb to Petersgrat.

While the ascent is only about 600m there are a couple of short (up to 50m) descents along the way which makes it a somewhat undulating and uses more energy than one would normally think for such a short ascent. The route passes under the peaks of Sackhorn, Elvertätsch and Birghorn before arriving at the large flat ridge of the Petersgrat.

From Petersgrat the route stays travelling roughly east for about 1km until veering north east towards the Mutthorn Hut. Here the route turns once again to the east following the glacier down towards the Oberhornsee. From Oberhornsee is avalanche conditions are safe you can traverse the north flank of Tanzhubel descending towards Schwand. The alternative route from the ski tour map is to descend directly from Oberhornsee to along the Understeinberg towards Läger. Both routes rejoin again at Schwand and the follow the hiking trail and road back towards Stechelberg.

Note

all notes on protected areas

Public transport

With Train and Postauto to Wiler via Goppenstein, then with the ski lift to Hockenhorngrat.

Getting there

This tour is best accessed with public transport as you are crossing the main Alpine ridge and returning to pick up your car can prove a logistical problem. If you must drive it's probably best to leave your car in Interlaken and then take public transport to Wiler to start the tour.

Parking

Parking is available in Interlaken.

Coordinates

SwissGrid

2'624'755E 1'142'305N

46.431637, 7.760712

DMS

46°25'53.9"N 7°45'38.6"E

UTM

32T 404788 5142753

w3w

///mass.automate.wash

Show on Map

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Author’s map recommendations

Skitour Map - Jungfrau - S264 Ordinance Survey Maps - Mürren and Lötschental - LK1248 and LK1268

Book recommendations for this region:

Equipment

Avalanche Safety Equipment
Ski Crampons
Harness with carabiners and band sling
Glacier rescue equipment

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Difficulty

moderate

Distance

23.6 km

Duration

5:30 h

Ascent

649 m

Descent

2,487 m

Highest point

3,187 m

Lowest point

885 m

Scenic Geological highlights Cableway ascent/descent Linear route High-altitude ski tour

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