Baltschieder - Via ferrata
About this place
Difficulty K3-4. A demanding via ferrata because of its length; the most exciting passages are at the start and on the distinctive tower, but there is also plenty of grass in between (flowers!), so it is only advisable in dry weather. If you want to tackle the «Nasenlöcher-Route» (variant), you need a headlamp, a 20 m rope and some carabiners/slings for intermediate protection. Valley village/start point Ausserberg (1008 m) on the southern Lötschberg ramp. Bus from Visp. Approach From Ausserberg (1008 m), first walk up the asphalt road on the sunny slope to the Niwärch, an old water conduit. Follow the narrow path with the Suone, rising gently into the picturesque Baltschiedertal. Behind the huts of the Üsser Senntum (1287 m), the mighty gully that drops directly from the Wiwannihütte soon becomes visible on the left; the via ferrata runs along the ridge to the right of it. Blue markings lead from the valley path (sign) over stony meadows and rocky ground to the mouth of the gorge and, on the right, to the start marked by a large red exclamation mark (approx. 1780 m). Baltschieder-Klettersteig Straight onto the cable, steeply up rock steps and gullies to the huge slope, partly covered with grass, then labour up along it to a striking rock tower. Go round it on the right and, very exposed, descend diagonally into a notch, then over rock and a ridge back into the grass and on the cable to the finish (approx. 2440 m). Following the track, go left to the Wiwannihütte (2463 m), visible for some time already. Descent Follow the white-red-white marked hut path down into the Lerchwald, then keep left towards avalanche barriers. Continue in zigzags downhill to a track, which soon becomes a small road and descends in wide bends through the Telwald. Cross the Niwärch near a few huts and then reach Ausserberg. Area: Southern Bernese Alps, Bietschhorn group Summit/high point: Wiwannihütte (2463 m) Walking times: Approach 2 Ÿ h, via ferrata 2 Ÿ h, descent 2 œ h; total 8 h Height difference: 1500 m