Ladders on the south west ridge of the Grindelwald Schwarzhorn

K2-K3 Car-free possible

Schwarzhoren / Schwarzhorn (BE), BE

Schwarzhorn-Klettersteig (Grindelwald)

The Schwarzhorn via ferrata (K2-3) climbs the mountain's southwest ridge above Grindelwald, reached by a long approach from First via Grossi Chrinne.

Image: Eugen E. und Hildegard Hüsler

Difficulty

K2-K3

Difficult via ferrata

Current status

Unknown

No reliable current status yet

Checked 2 h ago

Total time

3 h

Approach + via ferrata + descent

Route description The Schwarzhorn via ferrata (K2-3) climbs the mountain's southwest ridge above Grindelwald, reached by a long approach from First via Grossi Chrinne. A series of staggered, airy ladders and steel cables lead to a slabby summit ridge with sweeping panoramic views. The descent along the south ridge demands continued surefootedness over exposed ledges and scree.

The Schwarzhorn via ferrata (K2-3) climbs the mountain's southwest ridge above Grindelwald, reached by a long approach from First via Grossi Chrinne. A series of staggered, airy ladders and steel cables lead to a slabby summit ridge with sweeping panoramic views. The descent along the south ridge demands continued surefootedness over exposed ledges and scree.

Route map

Download GPX

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

Route Info/Map

Start: 46.68317, 8.06763
Finish: 46.67401, 8.06578
Parking: -

Approach / VF / Descent

Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.

Total: 3 h

Approach

Access

Duration: -
Distance: -
Ascent: -
Descent: -
Elevation: -

Via ferrata

K2-K3

Duration: 1 h 15 min
Distance: 161 m
Ascent: 200 m
Descent: -
Elevation: 2,928 m

From Grossi Chrinne, follow the southwest ridge to a near-vertical rock tower secured with steel cables and about 40 rungs. Beyond this, cables lead to a second, steeper section protected by three closely spaced, almost vertical ladders that provide the route's real via ferrata challenge. The final stretch to the summit ridge is easier, with further cables protecting slabby sections and minor steps up to the top.

Descent

Exit

Duration: 1 h 45 min
Distance: 2.4 km
Ascent: 90 m
Descent: 860 m
Elevation: -

From the summit, follow the white-blue-white marked south ridge, initially broad but gradually narrowing. Bypass the first rocky tower on a slightly exposed ledge to the right, then climb directly over the second. About 200 meters below the summit, at the saddle before Gemschberg, turn right and descend zigzagging scree slopes (snow-covered in early summer) into the basin below the Schwarzhorn, reaching Chrinnenboden. From there, continue down to Schreckfeld or follow the road back up to First.

Total duration: 3 h
Total distance: 749 m
Total ascent: 200 m
Total descent: -

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

Nearby lift operating dates are not treated as route opening evidence.

Transport

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

Last lift down

Check operator

SBB to First (Grindelwald) SBB from First (Grindelwald) Navigate to start point

Cable car

First (Grindelwald)

Bergstation der Seilbahn Grindelwald – Bort – Schreckfeld – First. Sommer- und Winterbetrieb.

Coordinates: 46.65991, 8.05359

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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: 1/4
Endurance: 2/4
Psyche: 1/4

Photos

4 source photos

Ferrata view towards the Eiger north face.© Daniel Anker

Exit from the ferrata onto the summit ridge.© Eugen E. und Hildegard Hüsler

For the via ferrata turn left!© 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

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

SAC-CAS approach
https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/schwarzhoren-schwarzhorn-be-1741/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-klettersteig-schwarzhorn-ab-first-798/

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/schwarzhoren-schwarzhorn-be-1741/berg-und-alpinwandern/abstieg-klettersteig-schwarzhorn-via-suedgrat-795/

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/schwarzhoren-schwarzhorn-be-1741/klettersteig/schwarzhorn-klettersteig-grindelwald-673/

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: Schwarzhoren / Schwarzhorn (BE), BE
Elevation range: 2,928 m
Car-free possible: Yes

Weather