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WALK 9

Ferden (1375m) – Faldumalp (2037m) – Kummenalp (2083m) – Lötschenpass Hut (2690m)

Distance	10km (one way)
Grade	2–3
Time	5–5½hrs
Height gain	1315m
Accommodation	Lötschenpass Hut
Location	Northwest of Ferden

The location of the Lötschenpass Hut is idyllic, resting as it does high above the valley, with a few small tarns below and a magnificent outlook to the Bietschhorn to the east. It makes a convenient overnight lodging for trekkers crossing the mountains on the way to or from Kandersteg (see Walk 10), or as a lunch stop during a day’s hike. The route described here is not the shortest or most direct approach from the Lötschental, but adds to the variety by adopting a short stretch of the höhenweg before climbing to the pass. To make a more direct route, follow signed ways from either Ferden or Kippel to Kummenalp, where you join the walk described as follows. Alternatively, an even more direct route can be achieved by riding the Wiler–Lauchernalp cablecar, then walking up to the highest part of the hamlet, where a signed path makes a long rising westward traverse to the Lötschenpass in about 2½hrs. This route is clearly marked on the LS map.

For our longer route, however, take the path from Ferden to Faldumalp as described at the beginning of Walk 8, and continue along the Lötschentaler Höhenweg to Restialp and Kummenalp in about 3hrs. Refreshments are available at both Restialp and Kummenalp. At Kummenalp a clear, signposted trail eases into the hanging valley behind the hamlet, and heads up rough slopes and past a few little tarns without any difficulty or diversion to reach the Lötschenpass Hut (2690m: accommodation, refreshments) in another 2–2¼hrs. The Lötschenpass Hut is usually manned from June to the end of October, when food and drinks are available. See hut details in the introduction to the Lötschental section, should you intend to spend the night there.

Shortly before gaining the hut it’s worth pausing to admire the panorama, which not only includes the Bietschhorn but the Mischabel group of mountains making a wall across the Rhône valley, with the distinctive Weisshorn and snowy Monte Rosa on the far horizon. From the Lötschenpass, the northward view looks to the Doldenhorn rising out of the Gasterntal, and northeast to the Blüemlisalp.

The last steps on the steep ascent of the Lötschenpass (photo: Jonathan Williams)