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Intro

Panoramic high mountain trail past Berghaus Eggli and the Wilde Bode limestone karren area to the linguistic border at the Col de Jable. Many traditional Alpine huts with large shingle roofs and cheese-making in copper cauldrons high above Etivaz.

Description

While the ascent up Hinders Eggli is steep, the route goes through the forest, offering welcome shade on sunny days. On reaching the Eggli, you can catch a first glimpse of the Gummfluh mountain – the landmark of Saanenland.

Before climbing the Col du Jable, you pass through the Wilde Bode forest that looks like it's straight out of a brothers Grimm fairy tale. One final gentle ascent along pastures and farms before reaching the top of the pass. Here, a long dry-stone wall crosses the trail, forming a small biotope with varied flora and fauna at 1,884 m. Once this wall and the cantonal border have been crossed, head down to L’Etivaz. In the distance, you will see the final destination of the Via Alpina – the Rochers de Naye. However, today’s stage ends at L’Etivaz, famous for the cheese of the same name.

Here, you no longer greet people with a “Grüezi”, and instead dig deep to recall the French you learned at school. Once in the village, sampling some of the many cheese delicacies is an absolute must. How about a traditional “croûte au fromage”? Made with the hard Swiss cheese L’Etivaz AOP, of course.

Accommodation in L’Etivaz

 

 

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
Gstaad
Destination
L'Etivaz
Direction
One way
Ascent
1250 m
Descent
1200 m
Distance
16 km
Duration
6 h 25 min
Duration back
6 h 20 min
Technical requirements
Medium
Physical requirements
Difficult
Season
May - September
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r...

Route

Via Alpina

Vaduz - Montreux
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All stages

Map

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

Quick Facts

Route number

Stage: 17/20

Distance

16 km

Duration

6 h 25 min

Ascent

1250 m

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