Baltschieder Via Ferrata Wiwannihütte 2470 m
-
- Difficulty
- K4-5
-
- Ascent
- 2:45 h, 680 m
-
- Mountain Experience
- 3 / 4
-
- Power
- 2 / 4
-
- Endurance
- 3 / 4
-
- Psyche
- 2 / 4
Sometimes everything just fits together, the journey, the weather, and the destination: in this case a wonderfully hospitable hut. It has the funny name of Wiwanni, and the valley through which one climbs up to it is certainly one of the most beautiful in the Bernese Alps: the Baltschieder. The Via ferrata, created by Egi Feller and his mountain guide colleagues in the 1990s, is known as a route that blends seamlessly into the grandiose scenery in its logically unbounded line. It also offers some nice exposure on the large tower. In early summer, the striking rib of land over which the via ferrata runs above a sea of flowers, unfolds with increasing height the great scenery of the Baltschiedertal. But the tour through this wild basin is more than just a climbing experience. The approach alone is a bit of an adventure as it follows the "Niwärch", one of the many ancient aqueducts of Vallais, over which glacier water was directed to the fields near the village in earlier times. As early as the start of the 20th century, more than 200 of these waterways with a total length of 1750 kilometres were counted! Many have long since expired, but during the last few decades, the importance of this cultural heritage has been recognised, and numerous aqueducts have therefore been reconstructed or restored.
Route description
Additional information
- Character
-
A long, demanding via ferrata; with tough sections near the beginning and at the distinctive tower. There are also a lot of grassy ledges in between the hard bits , so only advisable in dry weather. The route is sufficiently secured with cables and iron rungs. In early summer, you should expect old snow at the top. Then you must climb with caution for a while and cross a little higher to Wiwannihütte.
- Time
-
Total time: 8 hrs. Approach: 2¾ hrs. Via ferrata: 2¾ hrs. Descent: 2½ hrs.
- Signalisation
-
White-red-white footpaths, white-blue-white on the ferrata.
- Descent
-
Follow the Wiwanni hut path back to Ausserberg.