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Wildstrubel Circuit
Like walking on the wildside? Then take a spin around the Wildstrubel
Massif
 AWildstrubel is a large mountain with an extensive glaciated plateau which, from some angles, looks like a Top Hat that has been squashed in the middle. The walk that goes around it is a special valley and pass trail that essentially links up the cantons of the German speaking Bernese Oberland and the French speaking Valais. These were of course the old trading routes, often dangerously undertaken in winter with oxen and sledges. Most notorious of all was the Gemmi Pass, today tamed by a broad track, a cable car and even the Loetschberg Rail Tunnel, but this used to be the only direct route between the cantons.
Always keeping the Wildstrubel Massif on our right, we cross the great European watershed from Kandersteg via the Gemmi Pass into the Rhone Valley, which drains ultimately to the Mediterranean and then cross back over the Rawyl Pass to the headwaters of streams which flow north to join the Rhine. After the Gemmi you drop down to the hot spring resort of Leukerbad, following in the footsteps of such notables as Guy de Maupassant, Mark Twain, and Pablo Picasso to the French speaking ski and haute-couture resort of Crans Montana. There are stupendous views south to the big 4000m peaks of the Valais; Dent Blanche, Weisshorn, Monte Rosa, Matterhorn and the Grand Combin. From Lenk to Adelboden and back to Kandersteg, we follow the classic Alpine Pass Route, crossing the Hahnenmoospass (1956m) and finally the awesome Bunderchrinde (2385m). This is an amazing break in the rock wall, often the home to flocks of Chamoix - the attractive mountain antelope that can be seen precariously perched high on the crags. The tour ends with a full walking day in Kandersteg, from where there are some beautiful routes up around the emerald
Oeschinensee.
Due to restrictions imposed by topography and cost on the baggage transfers, this is a light-backpacking tour for 3 days. The bags are moved from Kandersteg to Lenk so you will need to carry the essential items for the overnight stays in Leukerbad and Crans Montana.
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Accommodation
7
nights/8 days - The first and last two nights are spent in the attractive village of
Kandersteg. Our friendly 3* hotel has great views over to the cirque of mountains around the Oeschinensee. Most of the rooms have balconies and the restaurant serves fine Swiss fayre. In the pleasant small spa town of
Leukerbad our 3* hotel has a nice terrace restaurant. In Crans Montana our 3* accommodation is a modern building in this purpose built mountain resort at an attractive lake side location. In the small spa town of
Lenk we stay in a central 3* chalet hotel with a sun terrace bar and a small indoor pool. A friendly welcome awaits you at our ‘Sports Hotel’ in
Adelboden. Here there is a great restaurant and a really wonderful sauna and shower complex in which to flush out the rigours of the day!
Note: On this trip your baggage is not transported to the hotels for nights 2 and 3 so you will need to carry a small backpack during days 2,3 and 4 with enough gear for 2 nights.
Sherpa
Notes
Accommodation &
Meals
Dinner, bed & breakfast 4 nights, bed & breakfast only 3 nights. All accommodation is in 3* hotels.
Way Marks
Conventional Swiss Bergweg red/white waymarking.
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vacations
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