Difficulty
K5-K6
Severe via ferrata
Gemmi, Bergstation, VS
Widely regarded as Switzerland's premier via ferrata, this route climbs nearly 900 meters of steep terrain to reach the Daubenhorn summit at 2941 m.
Image: Bernd Ritschel
Difficulty
K5-K6
Severe via ferrata
Current status
The latest source indicates this route is open
Checked 2 h ago
Total time
2 h 20 min
Approach + via ferrata + descent
Widely regarded as Switzerland's premier via ferrata, this route climbs nearly 900 meters of steep terrain to reach the Daubenhorn summit at 2941 m. The line combines over 2000 meters of cable, more than 200 meters of ladders, and countless rungs, demanding significant strength and endurance rather than technical difficulty alone. Optional harder variants, including the notably exposed "Via Konst," offer extra challenge for confident climbers, while an escape option exists partway up for those finding the going too tough.
Zoomable 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.
Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.
From the Gemmi cable car station at 2346 m, descend to Gemmipass and turn left (southeast) onto the old trail leading down to the Lower Schmitte, a grassy terrace at roughly 2060 m marked by a large information board; this takes about 20 minutes.
The route begins in a wild gorge where a ladder is visible high above, then climbs a steep, rockfall-prone corner past a waterfall into a nearly 100-meter rock shaft with striking light effects at 2575 m. Two options follow: an easier but wetter line with suspension bridges, or a spectacular overhanging detour through the 'Underworld' requiring intense climbing. Beyond this, the angle eases somewhat to an old bivouac grotto around 2720 m with a summit register, from which the thrilling and highly exposed 'Via Konst' variant branches off through a cave onto overhanging rock. The standard route continues from the bivouac over scree and along a rocky ridge, finishing with a 30-meter overhanging ladder that leads onto the ridge and shortly after to the Daubenhorn summit at 2941 m, roughly 5¾ hours from the start.
From the summit, descend briefly onto the crevasse-free Daubenhorn glacier and cross it toward the northwest. Follow the well-marked white-blue-white trail down scree slopes to Lämmerenboden, then head right back to Gemmipass at 2346 m.
No escape point details are recorded yet.
Typical published season
Live status source; no fixed annual season was published.
Plan around the trailhead, parking, and public transport links.
Last lift down
Check operator
VFOS editorial ratings on a 1-5 scale.
Variety
How much the route changes in movement and terrain.
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Complexity
Route-finding and technical problem-solving beyond pure grade.
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Beauty
Scenery, setting, and overall aesthetic quality.
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Exposure
Airiness and exposure independent of technical difficulty.
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Sustained effort
How continuous or relentless the physical effort feels.
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No crux tags are recorded yet.
Source ratings on the SAC-CAS 1-4 scale.


Check current local information before setting off.
In Switzerland, call Rega on 1414 for mountain rescue. European emergency number: 112.
Cell coverage can be patchy in gorges, valleys, and behind ridges. Download route notes and tell someone your plan.
This route is flagged as exposed or high-grade; avoid thunderstorms, wet cables, and fast-changing alpine weather.
https://www.gemmi.ch/de/planen-buchen/oeffnungszeiten-betriebsinformationen
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Opening-season source retained for status provenance.
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/daubenhorn-486/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-klettersteig-daubenhorn-822/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/daubenhorn-486/berg-und-alpinwandern/abstieg-grosser-klettersteig-daubenhorn-zum-gemmipass-823/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/daubenhorn-486/klettersteig/grosser-klettersteig-leukerbad-via-ferrata-daubenhorn-667/
Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.
No contested fields are currently flagged.
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