Lötschberg-Panoramaweg, Stage 3/4

The king’s stage: a glacier traverse and climb to the Lötschenpass. A route through a stunning landscape with spectacular close-up views of the Bietschhorn and Mischabel group. Descent to Lauchernalp through glacier-eroded terrain laced with lakes.

The steep ascent out of the Gasterntal begins at the Selden, Gasthaus Steinbock stop. The mountain path climbs steeply almost throughout, gaining most of the approximately 1,250 metres of elevation in the first half. With increasing altitude, open slopes alternate with scree and rocky terrain. Shortly before the Lötschenpass, the route reaches its highest point at around 2,690 m.

After just under three hours, the Lötschenpass is reached. Accessible only on foot, the pass links the Gasterntal in the Bernese Oberland with the Lötschental in Valais. Beyond the top of the pass, the mountain path descends rapidly through increasingly open alpine pastures to Sattlegi. The rocky Schwarzi Simmla rises nearby, while the Lötschental opens out below.

The final third follows a varied descent across open slopes. The first houses appear on the approach to Lauchernalp, where the approximately five-hour hike ends. The Stafel (Lauchernalp) stop is just a few minutes’ walk from the finish.