Walking in the Alps - A Quick Guide to the Schilthorn

The Jungfrau Region of Switzerland's Berneseheading slightly downhill at first before making a
Oberland provides some wonderful walkingsteep ascent of the slopes ahead with the signs
country in stunning scenery but the high peaks ofindicating Schilthornhutte and the Schilthorn itself.
the region offer few easy ways to their snowyThe ski fencing seen here shows the route of the
summits. The walker wishing to scale the highInferno Ski Race which is a tough descent from
peaks here has less choice than at say Zermattthe mountain's summit down to Murren. Just
or Saas Fee, for even with a guide he or she isbefore the gradient eases you pass through an
faced with technical climbing to reach all but ainteresting rocky gorge like feature known as the
couple of the big mountains. For the walker whoKanonenrohr or cannon barrel before crossing
doesn't want the expense of guiding fees thewide alpine meadows then climbing up to the
Schilthorn offers an exciting walking route to aSchilthorn Hut which is just off the main path to
high mountain peak with the option of a cable carthe left at a height of 2432m.
ride down.The route now journeys up the wide desolate
Rising to the West of Murren above thevalley of the Engetal - often snow covered in
Lauterbrunnen Valley the Schilthorn at 2970m orearly summer - before branching off from the
9744 feet is the highest mountain in the Jungfraumain track which carries on to the midway
Region with a marked path to its summit -cablecar station of Birg. Heading on up to a saddle
topping the Schwarzhorn by 32 metres - and theahead gives views down to the Grauseeli Tarn in
route is both varied and interesting as it ascendsa stony cirque in the mountainside below. The final
from the forested slopes above Murren to thesection of the route now climbs the bare slopes
often snow covered summit.ahead and veers to the left passing under the
Our route then begins at Murren which is trafficcables and steepening again up a ridge which
free and accessible by cable car and train frombecomes narrower as it reaches a rocky
Lauterbrunnen which is itself on the main railsubsidiary summit. On this section you may
network and the road from Interlaken. We startencounter snow at any time of year.The path
by taking a short funicular ride - the one visiblenext crosses a narrow rocky arete but it is not
behind the village - from Murren up totoo difficult and has a rope handrail for protection.
Allmendhubel at 1907m. Alternatively walk up theAhead can be seen the Piz Gloria revolving
forest trails to Allmendhubel but it's a long way uprestauraunt on the summit of the Schilthorn and
to the Schilthorn from Murren.the way to it now climbs a staircase hewn from
From Allmendhubel, a trail leads through the forestthe rock to ascend the last few metres.