Sunnbuel - Arvenwald - SunnbuelWalk 8040
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
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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
Tour of Mont Blanc
An essential guidebook for walking the Tour of Mont Blanc. The 170km route typically takes 11 days to trek around the Mont Blanc massif. The TMB is recognised as one of the world's classic treks. The book describes both anti-clockwise and clockwise directions, with variants and information about huts, refuges and facilities en route.
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.