From Mund or Eggen via Mälche Mälchgrat 2601 m
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- Difficulty
- PD-
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- Ascent
- 4–5 h, 1410 m
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- Descent
- 1410 m
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- Exposure
- SE, S, SW
An attractive alternative to the longer tours to the Gärsthorn. Often the slopes on Melchgrat also have better snow, as they are less exposed to wind.
Route description
Mund – Meinumatta – Brischeru – Mälche – Mälchgrat
From Mund (1187 m), follow the path up through the village, then join the marked snowshoe trail leading west past Egga, Schalba and Meinumatta, where you'll meet the road again briefly. At P. 1592 leave this again and steer northwest over open fields to the edge of the forest near Sättle (large cross). Now follow the path up through the forest to alp Brischeru (2059 m). Continue north-west along the summer path to P. 2238, then traverse the broad south-east flank, where it is flattest, to reach the Mälchgrat. Climb along, past a cross on the ridge to P. 2483 or continue further to P. 2601 (another cross) and gain an extra 120 metre's downhill fun.
Variant from Eggen via Holzinubiel (Finnen)
Not so nice to descend. From the last bus stop in Eggen, (approx. 1030 m), follow the road briefly. After the first hairpin, and shortly before the second, turn off onto the path for Holzinubiel (Finnen, 1414 m) (taking the right hand fork at the aquaduct). Continue through the village to the road at Bircha, make a right, then turn left up the mountain path which leads past Blindtal and the hamlet of Chaschtler to Sättle, where you join the Main route from Mund.
Descent Variant
From P.2238, SE of the Malchgrat, it is possible to descend the sparsely wooded stream bed of the Eschilgrabe, then bear left at P. 1817 through the forest to come out back at Sättle.
Additional information
- Departure and arrival point
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Mund (1187 m)
Mund is the only place in Switzerland where saffron is grown. Saffron was brought to the village in the 15th century by local mercenaries who were doing military service abroad. Today, the Saffron Guild looks after the future of saffron. More information can be found at www.prosafrandorf.ch.
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- Remarks
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With a careful route choice, there is little danger of avalanches, making this tour a welcome alternative if climbing the Gärsthorn is deemed too dangerous.
- Waypoints
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Eggen (1030 m)
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- Route number
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725
- Route last update
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05/2020