High Altitude Cappuccino

🗺️ Overview Starting point: Jorasses (Ovronnaz, 1,940 m) Highest point: Grand Muveran, 3,051 m Total elevation gain: ~1,200 m Total distance: ~13 km (round trip via Cabane Rambert) Total time: ~ 7 hours (including breaks) Technical difficulty: T4 Alpine hike, marked white–blue–white; exposed sections, use of hands required, helmet/gloves recommended Download GPS file On my second attempt, I made it! Exactly one year ago, I posted about the hike to Cabane Rambert . Back then, I had planned to continue to the summit of Grand Muveran, but I was too tired and stopped at the Cabane. This time, I went all the way up! You’ll find the description of the first part of the hike in my post about Cabane Rambert ( link ) – already a beautiful hike by itself. In this post, I’ll describe only the last section. However, keep in mind that this description starts after already 700 m of elevation gain and 2 hours of hiking from Jorasses. I will not describe the first secton again...

🗺️ Overview Starting Point : Tiny cable car from Gsteig (Bern side) Highest Point : Hut above the lake (about 2,050m) Distance : 4 km (lake loop) Elevation Gain : ~50m Time : 1h10 walking time – we took 3h with a 4-year-old, picnic, swimming, and photo stops Download GPS file Lake Sanetch is an artificial lake right at the border between Bern and Valais. Even though you cross over from the Bernese side, it is still French-speaking territory, and most people reach it from Sion by road (there’s even a bus). It’s a perfect place for panoramic picnics, whether by the river or along the lake shore, and you can even go for a swim – surprisingly “warm” for a lake at 2000m! We, however, did not come by car. Instead, from the Bern side in Gsteig (which would take several hours by bus), there is a tiny cable car. Be aware: it’s really tiny, with just one cabin and a maximum capacity of 40 people per hour. If you arrive late, you will likely face a wait – we queued almost 40 minut...

🗺️ Overview Starting point:  Grimentz (1,570m) Gondola dropoff:  Bendolla (2120m) Arrival:  Becs de Bosson (3,143m) Altitude gain:  ~1,000m Duration:  5h (loop) Difficulty:  Moderate Technical difficulty:  Easy to moderate (some scrambling near the summit) Download GPS file A Perfect October Ascent It was early October, and with a  sunny weekend forecast , I saw the perfect opportunity to  climb my last 3000m peak of the year . I chose  Becs de Bosson (3,143m) , standing right across from  Bella Tola , where I had  kicked off the summer . I drove to  Grimentz in Val d'Anniviers , arriving around  9:30 AM , and took the  gondola up to Bendolla (2,120m) . From there, the trail  ascends gently through alpine pastures , well-marked and without difficulties. The Ascent to Col des Becs de Bosson (2,974m) The first   part of the hike was straightforward. First on the pastures and then, as I climbed highe...

🗺️ Overview Starting point:  Turtmann Valley, Senntum parking (1,900m) Arrival:  Barrhorn summit (3,610m) Altitude gain:  1,700m Duration:  2 days (if not an ultra-runner) Difficulty:  Moderate Technical difficulty:  Low (some ropes, loose gravel, altitude effects) Download GPS file The  Barrhorn  is known as the  highest officially marked hiking trail in the Alps  that doesn’t require mountaineering equipment. At  3,610m , you reach the summit with nothing more than a good pair of boots (plus the usual mountain essentials, of course). The route passes by the  Turtmannhütte , offering breathtaking views of glaciers and high peaks along the way. Day 1: The Ascent to Turtmannhütte I started the hike at the  parking lot in the valley , sitting at  1,900m .  💡 Important tip:  bring cash! The parking is paid, and my phone had no signal, so I couldn’t use the app. Since I had neither  cash nor network , I h...