Difficulty
K3
Difficult via ferrata
K3
Car-free possible
Blatten b. Naters, VS
Klettersteig Aletsch
This K3 via ferrata traces the shoreline of the Gibidum reservoir on the Aletsch, often just above the milky glacial water.
Image: Jürgen Frank
Current status
Unknown
No reliable current status yet
Checked 2 h ago
Total time
4 h 20 min
Approach + via ferrata + descent
Route description Read more Show less This K3 via ferrata traces the shoreline of the Gibidum reservoir on the Aletsch, often just above the milky glacial water, before climbing back into the rock face. Its centerpiece is an 86-metre suspension bridge spanning the lake, with an even longer 124-metre bridge over the Massa gorge nearby for those extending the tour. Built by Blatten's mountain guides, the route mixes artificial rungs, short vertical sections and balance passages on wooden beams for a varied, athletic day out.
This K3 via ferrata traces the shoreline of the Gibidum reservoir on the Aletsch, often just above the milky glacial water, before climbing back into the rock face. Its centerpiece is an 86-metre suspension bridge spanning the lake, with an even longer 124-metre bridge over the Massa gorge nearby for those extending the tour. Built by Blatten's mountain guides, the route mixes artificial rungs, short vertical sections and balance passages on wooden beams for a varied, athletic day out.
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: 4 h 20 min
Approach
Access- Duration
- -
- Distance
- 2.2 km
- Ascent
- 210 m
- Descent
- 75 m
- Elevation
- -
From Blatten, walk up through the village then follow a forest path (or the slightly higher road), dipping down and climbing again to reach the via ferrata's starting point high above the dam, marked by an information sign.
Via ferrata
K3- Duration
- 3 h 30 min
- Distance
- 2.8 km
- Ascent
- 100 m
- Descent
- -
- Elevation
- 1,428 m
Beginning at the parking area above the concrete barrier, descend a secured channel toward the water and continue along natural and numerous artificial steps with a taut cable for support. The route leads up-valley to the highlight: a long suspension bridge crossing high above the lake. Beyond it, the more demanding and varied east-bank section follows, requiring firm holds on steep canyon rock and several exposed, sometimes airy crossings including sections on wooden beams, before finishing back at the Gibidum dam.
Descent
Exit- Duration
- 50 min
- Distance
- 705 m
- Ascent
- 70 m
- Descent
- 230 m
- Elevation
- -
Cross the dam back to the starting point—either to the parking area for those arriving by car, or continuing down the road to Blatten for those using public transport.
- Total duration
- 4 h 20 min
- Total distance
- 5 km
- Total ascent
- 310 m
- Total descent
- 75 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
Local weather or business labels on the page must not be mistaken for the route status.
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
- 1/4
- Power
- 2/4
- Endurance
- 2/4
- Psyche
- 3/4
Photos
3 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 · Valais/Wallis PromotionOfficial
https://www.valais.ch/de/erleben/aktivitaeten/weitere-sommeraktivitaeten/klettersteige/klettersteig-aletsch
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/stausee-gibidum-7784/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-von-blatten-zum-klettersteig-aletsch-819/
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/stausee-gibidum-7784/berg-und-alpinwandern/rueckweg-klettersteig-aletsch-zurueck-zum-parkplatz-oder-nach-blatten-820/
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/stausee-gibidum-7784/klettersteig/klettersteig-aletsch-695/
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
- Blatten b. Naters, VS
- Elevation range
- 1,428 m
- Car-free possible
- Yes
Weather