Via Ferrata Tour d'Aï
🗺️ Overview
The Tour d'Aï is one of the two iconic peaks visible when driving toward Valais on the highway. I had already hiked both via the normal trails, but this time, I wanted to try something different—Tour d'Aï has a via ferrata!
When I was younger, I used to do a lot of via ferratas in the Dolomites with my dad, but around adolescence, I stopped and hadn’t done one in years. Recently, I found a colleague who enjoys them, so I started again! It’s been a great rediscovery, even though it feels much harder now than when I was a kid.
Getting to the Via Ferrata
To reach the via ferrata, you start in Leysin and take the gondola up to the Berneuse restaurant (2,048m). From there, you already get a spectacular view of Lake Geneva! The restaurant is quite special because it rotates, offering diners a 360-degree panoramic view while they eat.
But we weren’t there for fine dining—we were there to climb.
We first descended the ski slopes into the little valley towards the two peaks, dropping about 100m, before climbing up the opposite side. This initial section is easy, serving as a good warm-up for the via ferrata ahead.
At 2,200m, near the Chaux-de-Mont lift, we turned right and reached the rock wall within a few minutes. Here, we geared up, clipped onto the metal cable, and prepared for the climb.
The Climb
The via ferrata on Tour d'Aï is rated K4, though I found it easier than some K3s. It starts with a diagonal traverse across the rock face before heading vertically up a crack in the cliff. There’s definitely a lot of exposure, but you’re never on a completely smooth wall with only metal rungs to rely on. I thought it struck a great balance between challenging and enjoyable.
After 45 minutes of climbing, we reached the summit at 2,330m—and wow, what a reward! From the top, you feel on top of the world, with an incredible view of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains.
The Descent
The descent follows a trail on the opposite side of Tour d'Aï. While it's not very wide, it’s not particularly difficult, so most hikers should be fine. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for families with small children. Also we found there the first snow of the year. Very early as it was mid-september.
The first section runs alongside the mountain, with a 200m drop beside you. Luckily, the path is wide enough, and there's a rope to hold onto for extra security. After that, you descend through grassy pastures, with the trickiest part coming right at the end before reaching the ski slopes.
Once past the ladders, you arrive at the Lac d'Aï, from where you can either take the Tête d'Aï chairlift down to Leysin or, if you have time, follow the hiking trail down on foot—it takes about 1h20.
Final Thoughts
This was an amazing adventure, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys via ferratas. The combination of climbing, incredible views, and a rewarding summit makes it a fantastic experience. If you're looking for a fun and scenic challenge in the Swiss Alps, the Tour d'Aï via ferrata is definitely worth it!
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