Lammerern Hutte from top of Gemmi Tram

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Features Geological Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This enjoyable loop visits an alpine hut and boasts views of the Lammeren Glacier and Valais Alps.

Be sure to check the operating hours for the tram so you don't get stranded at the top!

Begin this trail from Gemmi Pass, which can be reached by cable car from the town of Leukerbad. Follow signposts that point the way to the Lammeren Hut. After a brief descent under some unaesthetic power lines, the trail levels out and follows a constructed water channel.

Interestingly, water from the Lämmerendalu river flows via an underground route and resurfaces more than 1,200 vertical metres lower down, below the village of Varen.

The route passes by an old bunker and petite tunnel bored through a dome of rock. Ascend gently past a short waterfall and along the sinuous Lämmerendalu river carving its way across the mounds of schist.

The broad plateau and river valley is criss-crossed by waters meandering over the surface. Red and white markers on rocks and short posts keep you on route. Little narrow bridges cross the river and deliver travelers to the foot of the cliff, above which sits the hut. The climb up to the hut is steep but short, next to a rushing waterfall. A couple of skinny sections of trail are protected by metal chain handrails.

The Lämmerenhütte is a popular place to overnight on backcountry ski trips and summer rock climbing adventures. In summer, food and drinks are served here and the freshly baked fruit tarts are delicious! Visit: laemmerenhuette.ch/ for overnight reservations and more info. From the hut you'll get views of the dramatic Wildstrubel massif and the Lammeren glacier. A trampoline and slacklines are sometimes set up here in the summer. A wooden cart travels the wire from the valley to the hut to bring up supplies.

Retrace your steps down the cliff. Upon reaching the valley, keep to the trail along the left (north) side of the valley. Pass by the pretty Lämmerensee lake, and then follow the left bank of the river. At some points the trail ascends the hill a few meters to avoid the river flow. Eventually, the path dips in and out of a maze of grassy mounds. Sheep often graze here and you'll pass scattered old shepherd/farmer homes.

A short ways before the much larger Daubensee lake, the trail branches to the right to return to Gemmi Pass. A famous sheep festival is held on the banks of this lake each year. Climb back up to the tram for the return trip to Leukerbad.

Keep an eye out for ibex and marmots near the hut.