Alpine Passes Trail, Stage 17/43

A varied stage, with panoramic scenery throughout: Alpine climb to Bortelhütte, blueberry picking above Rothwald in autumn. The trail leads along the pass road gallery from Schallbett to the Simplonpass.

The 19-kilometre hike begins in the centre of the village at the Rosswald bus stop. Passing the Glimmuschiir chapel, the trail soon leaves the houses behind and leads to Stafel. Open alpine pastures and stretches of woodland then alternate. Almost the entire route follows a mountain hiking trail, with repeated ascents and descents.

The route traverses the slopes towards Simplon. Near the end of the long middle section, it approaches Wasenalp, briefly follows the Durstbach and continues to climb. The highest point is reached after around 14 kilometres near Chastelegga, at just over 2,200 m. Open slopes characterise this section of the trail, while stretches of woodland provide intermittent shade.

The descent to the Simplonpass now follows. After a total of just over six hours and around 1,100 metres of ascent, the houses of Kulm come into view. At almost 2,000 m, the pass links the Rhône Valley with Val Divedro and separates the Valais Alps from the Leone Group. From the pass, a final short section leads to the Simplon Hospiz and the nearby bus stop.