On the longest via ferrata of Switzerland.
K5-K6 Car-free possible

Gemmi, Bergstation, VS

Grosser Klettersteig Leukerbad / Via Ferrata Daubenhorn

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

Confirmed open

The latest source indicates this route is open

Checked 2 h ago

Total time

2 h 20 min

Approach + via ferrata + descent

Route description 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.

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.

Route map

Download GPX

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.

Annotated route info/map available from sac-cas.ch.
Start
46.39304, 7.61368
Finish
46.39552, 7.58389
Parking
-

Approach / VF / Descent

Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.

Total: 2 h 20 min

Approach

Access
Duration
20 min
Distance
1.6 km
Ascent
-
Descent
-
Elevation
-

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.

Via ferrata

K5-K6
Duration
2 h
Distance
2.3 km
Ascent
920 m
Descent
-
Elevation
2,941 m

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.

Descent

Exit
Duration
-
Distance
2.6 km
Ascent
-
Descent
670 m
Elevation
-

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.

Total duration
2 h 20 min
Total distance
3.8 km
Total ascent
920 m
Total descent
-

Escape points

No escape point details are recorded yet.

Opening season

Typical published season

Source
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Live status source; no fixed annual season was published.

Transport

Plan around the trailhead, parking, and public transport links.

Last lift down

Check operator

Cable car

Gemmipass

Informationen zur Seilbahn Leukerbad – Gemmipass: https://www.gemmi.ch/home/

Coordinates
46.39809, 7.61631

Route feel

VFOS editorial ratings on a 1-5 scale.

Ratings -

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.

Official source
Mountain experience
4/4
Power
4/4
Endurance
4/4
Psyche
4/4

Photos

2 source photos
On the longest via ferrata of Switzerland.
On the longest via ferrata of Switzerland.© Bernd Ritschel
Overview topo.
Overview topo.© AT Verlag

Safety notes

Check current local information before setting off.

Rega 1414

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

This route is flagged as exposed or high-grade; avoid thunderstorms, wet cables, and fast-changing alpine weather.

Sources & data Attribution, source priority, and field-review status for this route.

Referenced sources

  • Opening season · Gemmi Bahnen

    https://www.gemmi.ch/de/planen-buchen/oeffnungszeiten-betriebsinformationen

    Official

    Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Opening-season source retained for status provenance.

  • SAC-CAS approach

    https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/daubenhorn-486/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-klettersteig-daubenhorn-822/

    Official

    Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.

  • SAC-CAS return

    https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/daubenhorn-486/berg-und-alpinwandern/abstieg-grosser-klettersteig-daubenhorn-zum-gemmipass-823/

    Official

    Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.

  • SAC-CAS via ferrata

    https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/daubenhorn-486/klettersteig/grosser-klettersteig-leukerbad-via-ferrata-daubenhorn-667/

    Official

    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
Gemmi, Bergstation, VS
Elevation range
2,941 m
Car-free possible
Yes

Weather

Trailhead forecast