The entrance of the via ferrata.
K4 Car-free possible

Gurnigel Wasserscheide, BE

Klettersteig Gantrisch

Image: B. Jung

Difficulty

K4

Very difficult via ferrata

Current status

Confirmed open

The latest source indicates this route is open

Checked 14 h ago

Total time

4 h 15 min

Approach + via ferrata + descent

Route description The Gantrisch via ferrata (K4) climbs 340 vertical metres through steep, industrial-style terrain using roughly 400 iron rungs, four ladders and continuous fixed cable. It culminates on the 2176m summit of Gantrisch, with panoramic views stretching from the Mittelland and Jura to the Bernese Alps. The route was created primarily by Ruedi Horber and has become a popular draw for the region since opening in 2007.

The Gantrisch via ferrata (K4) climbs 340 vertical metres through steep, industrial-style terrain using roughly 400 iron rungs, four ladders and continuous fixed cable. It culminates on the 2176m summit of Gantrisch, with panoramic views stretching from the Mittelland and Jura to the Bernese Alps. The route was created primarily by Ruedi Horber and has become a popular draw for the region since opening in 2007.

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.
Route Info/Map
Start
46.72624, 7.44120
Finish
46.72398, 7.44465
Parking
-

Approach / VF / Descent

Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.

Total: 4 h 15 min

Approach

Access
Duration
1 h 10 min
Distance
3 km
Ascent
290 m
Descent
-
Elevation
-

From the Wasserscheide bus stop or car park, follow the watershed on a gravel track over Nünenenberg to Alp Obernünenen. At Leiterenboden, branch right following signs and climb scree to the ferrata start at about 1840m, roughly 45 minutes.

Via ferrata

K4
Duration
1 h 45 min
Distance
461 m
Ascent
200 m
Descent
-
Elevation
2,176 m

The route begins with overhanging rock leading straight into the steep, 70m-high Kürewändli. Easier traversing follows across grassy ledges broken by rock steps and aluminium ladders. Further along, the route tackles its hardest section, the slightly overhanging and exposed Horberkante, before steel cables lead to the summit of Gantrisch at 2176m, about 2½ hours from the start.

Descent

Exit
Duration
1 h 20 min
Distance
3.7 km
Ascent
-
Descent
600 m
Elevation
-

The marked white-red-white descent drops down steep, cabled rock to a southwest ridge junction. The standard line continues left down to Leiterenpass, then through a north-facing basin back to Alp Obernünenen. An alternative continues southwest then west to Morgetenpass before dropping north into the Gantrischchummli; this variant is longer but easier and can include a detour past the Gantrischseeli.

Total duration
4 h 15 min
Total distance
3.5 km
Total ascent
490 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

Opening remains subject to maintenance and conditions.

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
2/4
Power
3/4
Endurance
2/4
Psyche
3/4

Photos

13 source photos
The entrance of the via ferrata.
The entrance of the via ferrata.© B. Jung
Via Ferrata: quickly very airy .
Via Ferrata: quickly very airy .© B. Jung
Starting section: a test for what's to come
Starting section: a test for what's to come© Daniel Anker
Kürewändli.
Kürewändli.© Daniel Anker
Gipfelwiese: gute Bodenhaftung.
Gipfelwiese: gute Bodenhaftung.© Daniel Anker
Overview: The Gantrisch seen from the Nüneneflue. Lower left the short ridge section over which the descent back to the Leiterepass (not visible anymore) is made. The branch from the hiking trail to the via ferrata can be seen on the lower right, the via ferrata runs through the sunny part of the rock face.
Overview: The Gantrisch seen from the Nüneneflue. Lower left the short ridge section over which the descent back to the Leiterepass (not visible anymore) is made. The branch from the hiking trail to the via ferrata can be seen on the lower right, the via ferrata runs through the sunny part of the rock face.© Bernd Jung
Nüneneflue seen from acess to the via ferrata.
Nüneneflue seen from acess to the via ferrata.© Bernd Jung
The branch to the via ferrata on the Way to the Leiterepass is not to be overlooked. There is anticipation while the fathers prepare the material.
The branch to the via ferrata on the Way to the Leiterepass is not to be overlooked. There is anticipation while the fathers prepare the material.© Bernd Jung
The end of the passage wire rope on the descent from the summit. A few metres further on, the path branches off sharply to the left to the Leiterepass, straight on over the ridge to the Morgetpass (variant).
The end of the passage wire rope on the descent from the summit. A few metres further on, the path branches off sharply to the left to the Leiterepass, straight on over the ridge to the Morgetpass (variant).© Bernd Jung
Shortly before the Leiterepass there is a short stretch on a ridge. Above the pass the Nüneneflue rises impressively, behind it the Chrummfadeflue and the peak of Stockhorn above the ridge.
Shortly before the Leiterepass there is a short stretch on a ridge. Above the pass the Nüneneflue rises impressively, behind it the Chrummfadeflue and the peak of Stockhorn above the ridge.© Bernd Jung
Leiterepass.
Leiterepass.© Daniel Anker
Variant: The southwest ridge of Gantrisch on the descent to Morgetepass. On the right the Leiterepass, over which the somewhat faster descent takes place.
Variant: The southwest ridge of Gantrisch on the descent to Morgetepass. On the right the Leiterepass, over which the somewhat faster descent takes place.© Bernd Jung
Morgetepass.
Morgetepass.© Bernd Jung

Transport

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

Last lift down

Check operator

SBB to Gurnigel, Wasserscheide SBB from Gurnigel, Wasserscheide Navigate to start point

Bus

Gurnigel, Wasserscheide

An der Postauto-Linie Thurnen – Gurnigel – Plaffeien – Schwarzenburg (Gurnigel-Linie).

Coordinates
46.72546, 7.44263
Navigate Timetable

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 · Naturpark Gantrisch

    https://www.gantrisch.ch/entdecken/aktivitaeten/zu-fuss/klettern/

    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/gantrisch-746/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-klettersteig-gantrisch-481/

    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/gantrisch-746/berg-und-alpinwandern/abstieg-klettersteig-gantrisch-483/

    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/gantrisch-746/klettersteig/klettersteig-gantrisch-294/

    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
Gurnigel Wasserscheide, BE
Elevation range
2,176 m
Car-free possible
Yes

Weather

Trailhead forecast