Difficulty
K2
Moderate via ferrata
K2
Car-free possible
Station Eigergletscher, BE
Eiger-Rotstock-Klettersteig
The Eiger-Rotstock via ferrata revives a historic tourist path first secured between 1899 and 1903 in the far right corner of the Eiger North Face.
Image: Daniel Anker
Current status
Unknown
No reliable current status yet
Checked 2 h ago
Total time
2 h 45 min
Approach + via ferrata + descent
Route description Read more Show less The Eiger-Rotstock via ferrata revives a historic tourist path first secured between 1899 and 1903 in the far right corner of the Eiger North Face, originally allowing well-dressed visitors to climb from the old Rotstock station to the summit. Rediscovered in 1997, it was re-equipped in 2000 by Grindelwald mountain guides with aluminium ladders and cables, both in the newly opened lower section and along the historic upper gorge route. This short 260m route offers genuine Eiger atmosphere in relative safety, though rockfall remains a constant possibility. It suits vertigo-free hikers and via ferrata climbers equipped with proper gear.
The Eiger-Rotstock via ferrata revives a historic tourist path first secured between 1899 and 1903 in the far right corner of the Eiger North Face, originally allowing well-dressed visitors to climb from the old Rotstock station to the summit. Rediscovered in 1997, it was re-equipped in 2000 by Grindelwald mountain guides with aluminium ladders and cables, both in the newly opened lower section and along the historic upper gorge route. This short 260m route offers genuine Eiger atmosphere in relative safety, though rockfall remains a constant possibility. It suits vertigo-free hikers and via ferrata climbers equipped with proper gear.
Route map
Download GPXZoomable topographic map showing available approach, via ferrata, descent, start, finish, and parking geometry. The Download GPX link near the route map heading provides the same route geometry as a file.
Annotated route info/map available from sac-cas.ch.
Approach / VF / Descent
Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.
Total: 2 h 45 min
Approach
Access- Duration
- 45 min
- Distance
- 1.7 km
- Ascent
- 180 m
- Descent
- 100 m
- Elevation
- -
From Eigergletscher station, walk beneath the chairlift and past the large tunnels of the V-cableway, following the Eiger Trail. At P.2285, marked with a sign showing the Heckmair route, climb the rounded ridge to reach the base of the via ferrata, where the first iron fittings appear around 2400m.
Via ferrata
K2- Duration
- 1 h 15 min
- Distance
- 279 m
- Ascent
- 260 m
- Descent
- -
- Elevation
- 2,662 m
The route follows a clear line combining modern and historic via ferrata sections, with cairns marking the easier walking stretches. The lower, newer section below the old Rotstock station (approx. 2520m) includes several iron ladders, while the older upper section relies mainly on steps cut directly into the limestone. After crossing back over the gully, another ladder leads to the Rotstock saddle (approx. 2640m), from which an easy scramble gains the slabby summit of the Rotstock (2662m, marked by a cross and summit book).
Descent
Exit- Duration
- 45 min
- Distance
- 1 km
- Ascent
- -
- Descent
- 350 m
- Elevation
- -
From the Rotstock saddle, descend south-west across scree-covered, bulging slabs, aided by cairns and fixed ropes at the trickiest spots, down to Eigergletscher station.
- Total duration
- 2 h 45 min
- Total distance
- 1.9 km
- Total ascent
- 440 m
- Total descent
- 100 m
Escape points
No escape point details are recorded yet.
Opening season
Typical published season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Railway and nearby trail operating dates are not treated as proof that the via ferrata is open.
Transport
Plan around the trailhead, parking, and public transport links.
Last lift down
Check operator
Route feel
VFOS editorial ratings on a 1-5 scale.
Variety
How much the route changes in movement and terrain.
- -
Complexity
Route-finding and technical problem-solving beyond pure grade.
- -
Beauty
Scenery, setting, and overall aesthetic quality.
- -
Exposure
Airiness and exposure independent of technical difficulty.
- -
Sustained effort
How continuous or relentless the physical effort feels.
- -
Crux tags
No crux tags are recorded yet.
SAC-CAS route profile
Source ratings on the SAC-CAS 1-4 scale.
- Mountain experience
- 3/4
- Power
- 1/4
- Endurance
- 2/4
- Psyche
- 1/4
Photos
5 source photos
Safety notes
Check current local information before setting off.
Emergency
In Switzerland, call Rega on 1414 for mountain rescue. European emergency number: 112.
Mobile signal
Cell coverage can be patchy in gorges, valleys, and behind ridges. Download route notes and tell someone your plan.
Storms
Avoid thunderstorms and wet rock. Via ferrata cables can become hazardous quickly in poor weather.
Sources & data Attribution, source priority, and field-review status for this route.
Referenced sources
- Opening season · Jungfrau RailwaysOfficial
https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/jungfraujoch-top-of-europe/construction-of-the-jungfrau-railway/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Opening-season source retained for status provenance.
- SAC-CAS approachOfficial
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/rotstock-eiger-be-7440/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-rotstock-klettersteig-784/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
- SAC-CAS returnOfficial
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/rotstock-eiger-be-7440/berg-und-alpinwandern/abstieg-klettersteig-rotstock-785/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
- SAC-CAS via ferrataOfficial
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/rotstock-eiger-be-7440/klettersteig/eiger-rotstock-klettersteig-664/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
Field review
No contested fields are currently flagged.
At a glance
- Location
- Station Eigergletscher, BE
- Elevation range
- 2,662 m
- Car-free possible
- Yes
Weather