Spittelmatte Trail
Overview
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Distance 5 km
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Duration 2 h 5 min
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Ascent 170 m
Intro
Immerse yourself in the protected plateau of Alp Spittelmatte, surrounded by a windswept winter wonderland and with views of the region's 3,000-metre peaks. Leading along the stone pine forest and the Schwarzbach river, the trail offers beginners and enthusiasts a safe and relaxing experience.
Description
Since the devastating glacier fall of 1895, which left Alp Spittelmatte completely buried under the Altels's ice mass, only a tiny patch of glacier remains on the mountain's broad flank. The mighty, smooth rock pyramid still dominates the backdrop today. While it no longer poses a risk, its sight remains awe-inspiring. Here, on the connecting route between the cantons of Berne and Valais, mountain farming has a centuries-old tradition. Where flower meadows blossom and cowbells reverberate from the rockfaces during summer, Alpine huts are covered by metres of snow in winter. It's well worth looking out for animals and their tracks; chamois, ibexes, rabbits, and foxes are native here. With a bit of luck and good weather, you may even spot a golden eagle or bearded vulture.
The circular trail starts at 1,936 metres above sea level, next to the Sunnbüel mountain station. Shortly after the Altelshütte (hut), the trail branches off to the right and continues uphill to a nearly treeless hillside at the foot of the Üschengrat ridge. This vantage point directly opposite the Altels offers sweeping views over the entire Spittelmatte. Gently rolling and turning, the route continues south towards the stone pine forest, which lies in a sheltered area behind the alp. Before crossing the cantonal boundary and ascending to the Schwarenbach mountain hotel, the trail swings to the left and downhill to the alp's quiet houses and onward to the Schwarzbach river plain.
Here, you have reached the trail's halfway mark. It now winds its way through the frozen streambed of the Schwarzbach, parallel to the cross-country skiing and winter hiking tracks, back to the ski lift. Below the ski lift station, it ascends again between the ski run and forest up to the Altelshütte, before ending at the cable car's mountain station after about five kilometres and 200 metres in altitude difference.
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
| Start location |
Kandersteg, Sunnbüel
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Kandersteg, Sunnbüel
|
| Ascent |
170 m
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| Descent |
170 m
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| Distance |
5 km
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| Duration |
2 h 5 min
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
To a mountain peak, With panoramic view
|
| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
|
Tourist Center Kandersteg
Äussere Dorfstrasse 26
3718
Kandersteg
Phone
+41 (0)33 675 80 80
kandersteg@be-welcome.ch
meine-berge.ch
Quick Facts
Route number
