Alpine Passes Trail

The traffic-free village of Rosswald is situated on a sunny terrace above the Rhone valley. The view over the Valais and the Bernese alps is fantastic. Until the construction of the cable car in 1953, the quaint tourist village was mainly used for cattle and alpine farming. From the cable car, you first have to climb a steep 100 metres in altitude. This is followed by a half-hour hike along the Bärgwasser Suone. The rippling water makes it a little cooler here. Since the path is so idyllically embedded in the landscape, you can enjoy the walk without exertion, despite the slight incline.

You pass Stafel and cross the Mischibach stream. The view stretches all the way to the Mischabel massif with the Dom, the highest mountain in Switzerland. For the next 45 minutes, the trail winds along the mountain face. There are some very exposed but well-secured spots. On this section of the trail, the terrain slopes sharply downhill. After crossing the Steinubach stream, a steep ascent follows through the Steinuchäller. Shortly afterwards, after a total of two and a half hours, you reach the Bortel hut. Here, the homemade cakes are highly recommended. Thus revitalised, you descend to the Furgguböüm stream. In the distance, the beautiful peak of the Bietschhorn keeps catching your eye. A rooty and stony ascent through the forest to Heitrich is followed by a beautifully laid-out road path to Wasenalp. The Bietschhorn has meanwhile been joined by the broad, slightly glaciated Aletschhorn.

After Bärufalla, about four and a half hours on the road by now, the last strenuous ascent follows along a path lined with blueberry bushes. In autumn, you can help yourself here as much as you like. Next comes the partly steep descent to Schallbrett and the pass road gallery to the Simplon pass summit. From 1800 to 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte had the first pass road in the alps built over the Simplon. In addition, in 1801 he ordered the construction of a hospice on the pass summit, which would also have served as military barracks. The construction work was stopped after his fall in 1814. The monks of the Great St. Bernard completed the building by the Lausanne architect Henri Perregaux in 1831. At that time, the hospice for over 300 people catered for up to 12,000 travellers a year. After renovation and modernisation in 1995, the hospice, which is open all year round, can now accommodate up to 130 guests.