K4 Car-free possible

Brunnihütte, top station, OW

Klettersteig Zittergrat

Zittergrat is a K4 via ferrata climbing directly up the west face of Brunnistöckli, intended for climbers already comfortable clipping and unclipping in.

Image: Fabian Lippuner

Difficulty

Very difficult via ferrata

Current status

Seasonally open

Today falls within the published opening season

Checked 2 h ago

Total time

1 h 30 min

Approach + via ferrata + descent

Route description Zittergrat is a K4 via ferrata climbing directly up the west face of Brunnistöckli, intended for climbers already comfortable clipping and unclipping in steep terrain. It includes a short overhanging 4+ passage and a notably exposed layback traverse on a somewhat slack cable. Near its end it joins the easier Brunnistöckli via ferrata just before a suspension bridge, making it a good warm-up for routes like Fürenwand.

Zittergrat is a K4 via ferrata climbing directly up the west face of Brunnistöckli, intended for climbers already comfortable clipping and unclipping in steep terrain. It includes a short overhanging 4+ passage and a notably exposed layback traverse on a somewhat slack cable. Near its end it joins the easier Brunnistöckli via ferrata just before a suspension bridge, making it a good warm-up for routes like Fürenwand.

Route map

Download GPX

Annotated route info/map available from sac-cas.ch.

Route Info/Map

Start: 46.84116, 8.41164
Finish: 46.84188, 8.41441
Parking: -

Approach / VF / Descent

Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.

Total: 1 h 30 min

Approach

Access

Duration: 10 min
Distance: 505 m
Ascent: 60 m
Descent: -
Elevation: -

From the top station of the chair-lift, walk past the Brunnihütte, keeping right of the Härzliseeli, then cross a scree slope to reach the start of the ferrata at roughly 1890 m.

Via ferrata

Duration: 1 h
Distance: 134 m
Ascent: 120 m
Descent: -
Elevation: 2,030 m

Climb a vertical wall, then make a four-metre leftward traverse along a rather slack safety cable. Continue up a steeper section with a slightly overhanging passage, then move onto easier ridge terrain, crossing a deep cleft. The route then joins the main ridge of the Brunnistöckli via ferrata, finishing with a suspension bridge and a ladder before reaching the Brunnistöckli.

Descent

Exit

Duration: 20 min
Distance: 687 m
Ascent: -
Descent: 180 m
Elevation: -

Descend westward on the white-blue-white marked trail back down to the Brunnihütte.

Total duration: 1 h 30 min
Total distance: 823 m
Total ascent: 180 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

Weather-dependent approximate dates.

Transport

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

Last lift down

Check operator

SBB to Brunni (Engelberg) SBB from Brunni (Engelberg) Navigate to start point

Cable car

Brunni (Engelberg)

For further information about the operating times of the cable car Engelberg–Ristis–Brunnihütte: http://www.brunni.ch/en/current-information/operating-times/

Coordinates: 46.84125, 8.41147

Navigate Timetable

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: 1/4
Power: 3/4
Endurance: 1/4
Psyche: 3/4

Photos

6 source photos

Book, cash register and Hahnen.© Fabian Lippuner

Finish: look down to Brunni, Ristis and Engelberg.© Fabian Lippuner

Overview Brunni via ferratas.© Fabian Lippuner

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 · Engelberg Mountain Guide
https://www.engelbergmountainguide.ch/en/summer/via-ferrata/opening-times/

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/brunnistoeckli-7438/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-klettersteig-brunnistoeckli-und-zittergrat-1696/

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/brunnistoeckli-7438/berg-und-alpinwandern/abstieg-klettersteig-brunnistoeckli-und-zittergrat-1698/

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/brunnistoeckli-7438/klettersteig/klettersteig-zittergrat-739/

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: Brunnihütte, top station, OW
Elevation range: 2,030 m
Car-free possible: Yes

Weather