Sunnbuel - Arvenwald - SunnbuelWalk 8040
Outline Map Area Map Walk Grading
Canton - Bern / Berne - Kandertal
Canton - Valais / Wallis - Leukerbad & Gemmipass
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 6.0 km / 3.8 miles
Ascent - 110 metres / 363 feet
Descent - 110 metres / 363 feet
Time - 2.00 hours
Grade - easy/moderate
Click thumbnails for larger images.
A circular walk that explores the valley above Sunnbüel. The route offers easy walking with some fine mountain views.
Start & End the upper station of the Luftseilbahn Kandersteg-Sunnbüel. See Transport Map for the Kandertal Region.
Exit the upper station of the Luftseilbahn Kandersteg-Sunnbüel and bear left to follow the main path signed to Schwarenbach. This descends slightly and crosses a broad valley dotted with small farms and other buildings. After Spittelmatte the path crosses the cantonal boundary and you enter Valais/Wallis.
Drawing level with the rocky, forested knoll of Arvenwald, there is a noticeable change to more barren scenery. Just as the track starts to climb up to Schwarenbach you reach a junction. Bear right here and turn west and then north following a path/track at the base of the Üschenegrat ridge, which is on your left. This leads back to the upper station of the cable car offering some fine views to the east.
Suggested Maps
Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:50000 - Sheet SW 5004 - Berner Oberland
Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:50000 - Sheet SW5009 - Gstaad - Adelboden
Kandersteg Wanderkarte - 1:25000
Recommended Books
The Tour of the Bernina
Guidebook describing a 9-stage (119km) route around the Piz Bernina massif in the Alps on the Swiss-Italian border near St Moritz, and the 8-stage (94km) Alta Via Valmalenco exploring the Valmalenco valley, in the shadow of Monte Disgrazia. The Tour of the Bernina is suitable for first-time trekkers but the Alta Via needs some experience.
Alpine Flowers
A pocket field guidebook for identifying 230 of the most commonly found alpine flowers of the Alps. Categorised by colour for quick identification, each alpine flower has a photograph and description of its key features. Flower names are given in English, French, German, Italian and Latin, with notes on curious facts and origins of names.