ViaBerna, Stage 20/20

On the old mule track from Gadmen through the gorge and moor landscape, you climb up to Hotel Steingletscher. Views of Lake Stein and the retreating glacier open up on the way to the Susten Pass. Here at the border with the canton of Uri, the final stage of the ViaBerna ends.

It is only a few steps from the Gadmen, Post bus stop to the starting point. Beyond the village, the route climbs via Obermad. Before long, the initial hiking trail becomes a mountain trail, which defines the character of the route almost all the way to the destination. Sections of woodland provide shade at first; beyond them, meadows and pastures open out. The long ascent is steady and demands stamina, gaining around 1,150 metres over ten kilometres.

As the route gains height, the landscape becomes more open. Rather than numerous intermediate landmarks, broad slopes and the continuous ascent now define the trail. Small counter-ascents and short descents do little to change this: the highest point is not reached until the Sustenpass at just over 2,200 m. After around four hours, the hike ends at the top of the pass, where Susten Kulm lies close to the trail. The pass road links Bern and Uri; the Susten Passhöhe bus stop is located right by the destination.