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Intro

From Gsteig to Sanetschsee and on an old mule track through water-furrowed meadows up to the Col du Sanetsch, historic pass from the Bernese Oberland into the Valais. Panoramic views of Valais Alps and Diableret glacier world.

Detour / Closure

There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/route-82/stage-1

Description

This tour's starting point is Gsteig near Gstaad in the upper Saane Valley. The stream that flows through the village is still the Rüschbach, which joins the Saane immediately afterwards.

At the beginning of the hike, you pass the old Hotel and Restaurant Bären, an 18th-century house with a beautifully decorated façade. You reach the Saane on a short, asphalted stretch in about 20 minutes and continue to the valley station of the Sanetsch cable car, which used to provide access to the power station. It takes you approximately 850 metres up to the Sanetsch reservoir, shortening the hike by about two and a half hours.

Without the cable car, the old mule track quickly steepens and winds through the forest for the first 400 vertical metres. You cross the Saane several times, but unfortunately, you can only see very little of the Sanetsch Falls. Continuing along the path, you soon pass the tree line, and the view of the mountain peaks to the south becomes spectacular. Along the way, you encounter magnificently flowering plants, depending on the season. The mule track connected the Saanenland and the Rhone Valley as early as the Middle Ages.

After crossing the cantonal border, the trail continues a few more metres uphill to the restaurant, where you can enjoy a drink and the views of the bright blue Sanetsch reservoir. The reservoir, built in 1963, can be circumnavigated on the approximately 1.3-kilometre-long route.

After the break, follow a varied path along the left bank of the reservoir. Any slightly exposed parts are secured with chain railings. Continuing along the River Saane, "La Sarine" in French, you reach the Sanetsch Pass or Col de Sénin a little later. The Sanetschhorn catches the eye on the right. The mountain peak is the source of the 126-kilometre-long Saane. As you cross the pass, the Alpine panorama's scenery changes, and your gaze wanders to the high alpine peaks of Valais.

The last part of the trail to the Hôtel Restaurant du Sanetsch gives a foretaste of the next stage. On the right, you can already see the furrowed limestone, the so-called karst fields.

An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Gsteig
Destination
Hôtel du Sanetsch
Elevation level - Direction
Alps, One way
Altitude (meter above sea level)
2000 m
Ascent
1150 m
Descent
300 m
Distance
13 km
Duration
4 h 50 min
Duration back
3 h 50 min
Technical requirements
Medium
Physical requirements
Difficult
Season
June - October
Theme
With panoramic view, To an alp, Over a pass
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r...

Route

Sanetsch-Muveran-Weg

Gsteig - Ovronnaz
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All stages

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Quick Facts

Route number

Stage: 1/3

Distance

13 km

Duration

4 h 50 min

Ascent

1150 m

Travel information: Gsteig

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