Luca In The Alps

After the hikes starting from Col du Mollendruz, Le Suchet is closer to home for me. Therefore, it counts as a classic—I’ve done it many times! As is typical for Jura hikes, you can approach it from various sides, and even more so for Le Suchet—even from France! Here’s a quick inventory of the main routes: From Grange Neuve : 40 minutes to the summit, a 2-hour loop with 370m elevation gain in total if returning along the ridge (see detailed description below). From Baulmes : 12.6 km round trip with 910m elevation gain. A challenging route. From Refuge du Chaudron : 7.2 km and 860m elevation gain. Steep, especially at the beginning. From Mathulaz : 4.2 km and 440m elevation gain. It’s a midpoint of the previous option and reachable by car. From Entre Les Fourgs (Jougne, FR): 16 km and 700m elevation gain. Quite a long route! In this post, I’ll dive into the first one—from Grange Neuve—because it’s the perfect, easy family hike. Download GPS file Grange Neuve i...

Overview Starting point:  Alpnachstad Station (450m) Summit:  Pilatus Kulm (2070m) + Esel (2118m) Highest point:  Esel Distance:  1,680m of elevation gain incuding Esel Duration:  around 4-5 hours up Optional shortcut:  Take the funicular to Ämsigen mid-station (1350m) to cut the hike in half Descent:  Funicular down (or same way on foot for an even bigger adventure!) Download GPS file I started from  Alpnachstad Station  at 450m, right at the base of the Pilatusbahn funicular. Parking can fill up quickly, so it’s best to arrive early or avoid weekends if you can. From the base, you backtrack slightly through town to find a sign pointing uphill to  Pilatus Kulm . Within minutes, you rise above the houses and get sweeping views of the lake below. The first stretch follows the funicular tracks across green pastures—an idyllic start! Eventually, you pass underneath the funicular and enter the forest. A short road section follows, until a pa...

Overview Start : Harderbahn funicular top station (1300 m) End : Augstmatthorn summit (2137 m) Elevation gain : ~960 m (return including ups and down along the ridge) Total time : ~6h at a brisk pace (3h10 up, 2h40 down) Length : 17.5km return Return : Same way or alternative descents to Lombachalp (bus) or Riggisberg (train) Pro tip : Start early to avoid queues at Harderbahn, and treat yourself to a cappuccino at Harderkulm! Download GPS  The hike to Augstmatthorn begins at the top station of the Harderbahn funicular . While it’s possible to start from the bottom, that would make for a veeeeeeery long day—and besides, the funicular is fun! Just note that on weekends it can get busy , with long queues. I visited on a Saturday: I didn’t have to wait for the first run at 9:10, but I waited a good 40 minutes for the return trip at 15:00. From the top station (1300 m), a short paved path leads to Harderkulm and its viewing platform overlooking Interlaken. Just be...