Via Ferrata de Baltschiedertaler, Baltschieder, Valais

Features

Located in a magnificent area. The view and the setting are very beautiful. But you will need the better part of a day to complete it.
It's long, in the style of Dolomite via ferratas.

ViaFerrata Tips and Tricks

You are in a high mountain setting, be wary of changes in the weather.

Take warm clothes and enough chocolate to keep you going. Avoid going if it just rained or if the conditions are wet. There are a lot of slippery parts and they are not always secured.

Grade

Information

Wiwannihütte, the hut that maintains the via ferrata.

Length and Altitude

Start: 2'027 m
Finish: 2'444 m
Elevation Gain:  910 m
Via Ferrata Length: 2'100 m

GPS Coordinates

Time of Year

June-October

Timing

Via Ferrata approach: 2h30 – 3h
Via Ferrata: 3-4 heures
Way back: 2h30

By Car

Cross the entire Valais towards Brig.

After the town of Rarogne (Raron in German) and near Viège/Visp, follow directions for Baltschieder (Baltschiedertal).

By Train

You can get there from Sion or from the canton of Bern via the Lotschberg. Contact the SBB, for schedules and fares. The cursor indicates the Wiwanni Hut.

Access

Well, I'm going to start with a rant: you have to pay for parking!!! and it's really expensive. Have a minimum of 6 to 7.— Frs. for your place at the via. And a lot more if you're planning on sleeping at the hut!

Back to the subject. The said parking is found across from to the Sonnehalde Restaurant.

But if you don't like to walk, continue on the toll road towards Nirwarch (account for 10.-- Frs.) and drive until you get to the first hairpin. There is a parking nearby.

Otherwise you can leave your car at the bottom and walk this section. This takes about 30 minutes.

From there, follow the path towards the Baltschieder Hut (follow the red and white markings). A nice stream accompanies you until the path gets steeper. Be careful this trail is vertiginous when it is narrow.

After a good climb, you will find a white/blue marked trail on the left. This is the trail for the via ferrata.

Via Ferrata

The Via Ferrata starts with a steep section and then goes into a crack. The slope is not very steep and you are in contact with the rock. It's nice.

Next comes a little ordeal. An interminable path in the grass, mud, and rocks. He who is forewarned is forearmed, so don't have a panic attack!

The cable is interrupted by a section that is a bit risky and then you get to the second part of the via ferrata. There, you will go along a big boulder that overlooks the gorges. The landscape is incredible!

The via ferrata ends along a rocky ridge.

Way Back

It takes about 30 minutes to get to the hut when following the blue/white trail.

Where to Spend the Night

Wiwannihütte  027 923 09 03  next to the 3001m Wiwannihorn.

Two hotels in the area:

Hotel Bahnhof  027 946 22 59

Hotel Sonnenhalde  027 946 25 83.

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