Walserweg Gottardo, Stage 1/14

From the picturesque Valais village of Binn, following in the tracks of the Walser people via the hamlet of Fäld and on an old mule track that runs through an unspoiled mountain landscape. Then up to the stony Albrun Pass, an important Walser crossing. It descends along past the first dams in the area and reaches Crampiolo, a traditional alpine settlement in Walser style.

The hike begins at the Binn, Dorf bus stop, among the houses of Wilere. The village is soon left behind. The trail leads up the valley across meadows and through woodland, passes Freichi and then climbs steadily as a mountain trail into the open high-alpine landscape.

Below the pass, the Binntalhütte, a Swiss Alpine Club hut, stands amid rocky surroundings. It serves as a base for crossing the pass. Above it, the route leads to the Bocchetta d’Arbola, the Albrun Pass. This mule pass crosses the southern main ridge of the Alps; at around 2'410 metres, it is also the highest point of the hike, between the Albrunhorn and Ofenhorn.

The long descent begins on the Italian side. The route initially crosses open, rocky terrain and then runs for long stretches away from the marked hiking-trail network before woodland reappears farther down. After around seven hours and 20 kilometres, the cross-border hike ends in Crampiolo. There is no nearby public transport connection; the Binn, Brunnebiel stop is more than six kilometres away.