recommended route
Lauchernalp - Faldumalp - Niwen
Hiking Trail
· Lötschental
-
SW-Grat NiwenPhoto: Sandra Stockinger, Lötschental Marketing AG
A rewarding high-level tour from the Lauchernalp to the Niwen.
difficult
Distance 11.7 km
4:35 h
1,091 m
294 m
2,768 m
1,969 m
From the Lauchernalp, head along the Lötschental Alpine Trail, past the Kummenalp and the Restialp to the Faldumalp where you can visit the wonderful chapel dedicated to "Maria zum Schnee" (Our Lady of the Snow). You are also treated to a magnificent view over the entire Lötschental valley from the Faldumalp. The path to the Niwen is signposted from the Faldumalp and passes through impressive colossal causeways and avalanche protection built by the BLS. The onward climb via Stritungrat and Niwengrat is an easy one and you will only need to hold on in one short section. You will soon reach the peak of the Niwen (2,769 m above sea level), where a magnificent vista opens up across the Valais Rhone Valley and into the Lötschental.
Author’s recommendation
The 1:25,000 scale hiking map is your perfect companion for an unforgettable day's hiking in the Lötschental. Available from the Lötschental Tourist Information Office in Wiler or online at www.loetschental.ch/webshop
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,768 m
Lowest point
1,969 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Asphalt
0 km
Dirt road
0 km
Forested/wild trail
2.3 km
Path
9.3 km
Rest stops
Zur WildiSafety information
- Plan your tour carefully
- Ensure that you have a full set of appropriate equipment
- Never embark on a tour alone
- Inform friends, relatives, the mountain hut supervisor or the hotel porter of your proposed tour. Report back when you arrive at your destination.
- Keep a constant eye on weather developments
- Adhere to the principle: if in doubt, turn back!
Start
Mountain station "Lauchernalp, Holz" (1,969 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'625'800E 1'140'041N
DD
46.411228, 7.774179
DMS
46°24'40.4"N 7°46'27.0"E
UTM
32T 405787 5140469
w3w
///newsprint.custom.minder
Destination
Niwen
Turn-by-turn directions
Lauchernalp - Kummenalp - Restialp - Faldumalp - Niwen
Optional descents:
- Niwen - Faldumalp - Ferden (gentle descent along a nature trail)
- Niwen - Faldumalp - Lauchernalp (and then continue by cable car or on foot to Wiler)
- Niwen - Faldumalp - Goppenstein Normal (somewhat steeper descent via Haselleen)
- Niwen - Jeizinen - Gampel
Public transport
The postbus runs every hour from Gampel/Steg or Goppenstein to Wiler ("Wiler, Seilbahn" postbus stop). Take the cable car up to the Lauchernalp.By road
Drive into the Lötschental from Goppenstein, past the villages of Ferden and Kippel as far as Wiler to the valley cable car station. Take the cable car up to the Lauchernalp.Parking
You can park your car in the outdoor car park or in the indoor car park beside the cable car valley station (not free).Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'625'800E 1'140'041N
DD
46.411228, 7.774179
DMS
46°24'40.4"N 7°46'27.0"E
UTM
32T 405787 5140469
w3w
///newsprint.custom.minder
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
11.7 km
Duration
4:35 h
Ascent
1,091 m
Descent
294 m
Highest point
2,768 m
Lowest point
1,969 m
Statistics
Maps and trails
- 12 Waypoints
- 12 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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