Bern Canton, Lauenen
Distance: 9.62 km.
Walking time: 3h 15 min.
Elevation gain: 640 m.
Highest point: 1,840 m.
Access: Car or bus.
Parking: at Skilift Lauenen - 46.418052, 7.324182
Bus: stop at Lauenen b. Gstaad, Geltenhorn, additional ~7min walk to join the hike route.
In general, walking along Wispile mountain ridge is quite stunning. If someone asks me, which mountain in Gstaad area is best to take a lift to; I always advise them to take the lift up to Wispile and to walk along the ridge. The part of the ridge we explored during this hike is about 2-4 km away from the top of the lift.
We already explored Wispile mountain ridge quite well in winter time and we really wanted to get to know it better during summer. This is one of those unpopular, hidden hikes. I think, I wouldn't recommend this hike, unless one is staying in Saanenland area for about a week or so, as there are nicer hiking routes to explore than this one.
It is easy to find a nice picnic spot at the surrounding meadows at the mountain ridge. Just before the descent, there is a giant fondue pot, within which the seats and a table can be used (unfortunately it cannot be booked). Saanenland also offers a unique fondue backpack experience, where one gets a backpack with all fondue essentials for a hike. More information about it can be accessed here.
Until reaching the ridge, the path follows Alpness Trail. Most of the ascent and descent is on a single track path, while the ridge follows a wider pathway. The hike starts around the ski lift through the meadows and around half way through the climb enters the forest. Once we got out of it, we reached the mountain ridge with pretty views in each direction. We took our time to walk until the descent and we stopped for a picnic, facing the mountains. Wispile ridge is quite wide and safe to explore outside of the pathway. The start of the descent followed a path with high grass and started in the forest. About half way through we joined the same route, which we climbed.
There is a possibility of continuing this hike through the ridge and taking the ski lift down to Gstaad.
We did this hike in 2018. Since then, a new, large playground for kids opened near the ski lift from Gstaad. More information about it can be found here.
More information about this hike can be found on SchweizMobil website here.
Gstaad Tourist website offers a variety of hikes in the region here.
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