Luca In The Alps

Overview Start point : Jorasse (1940m), via cable car from Ovronnaz Highest point : Col du Fenestral, 2452m Total elevation gain : ~800m Duration : ~5 hours loop (with breaks) Difficulty : Not technically difficult but long Download GPS file The Hike For once, I had planned to stay home, but my dad was visiting and eager for a hike. So we headed out for the Tour du Grand Chavalard , a loop I had long wanted to explore. There are several starting points for the tour. We chose Ovronnaz and quickly made our way up to the Jorasse restaurant (1940m) using the Magic Pass cable car. From there, the trail options are clearly marked. The one for Grand Chavalard is on the left and almost immediately turns left again behind the restaurant. The Choice: Clockwise or Counterclockwise? After about 20 minutes, we reached Petit Pré , a small alpine meadow where the real loop begins. At this point, you have to choose: Right for a clockwise route with more ascent early on Lef...

Overview 📍 Start Point : Tierfehd (Linthal, Canton Glarus) – Seilbahn to 1870 m ⏱️  Duration : ~4.5 to 5.5 hours (plus break at hut) ⛰️   Elevation : ~700 m ascent to 2575 m 🎯 Highlights : Muttseehütte (2501 m), Muttenchopf viewpoint (2482 m), Limmerensee dam tunnel (2750 m) ⚠️ Difficulty : Moderate to challenging (exposed sections, weather-sensitive) 🚠 Cable Car : Self-service Seilbahn (limited capacity: ~8 people every 5 min) ☔ Best Season : Late spring to early autumn, avoid sunny weekends Download GPS file The Journey Begins The Limmerensee hike had been on my wish list for a long time. I had seen breathtaking photos and read people calling it one of their top 10 hikes. But it's far from where I live, too intense for a casual family outing, and not ideal for a rushed day trip. So when I had a conference near Zurich, I grabbed the opportunity. The trail starts in Linthal , Canton Glarus, where you take a self-service cable car —yes, self-service! You bu...

Overview Start : Leysin, base of the télécabine (1314m) End : La Berneuse summit (2044m) Elevation gain : ~750m Time to summit : ~1h30 (for fit hikers) Descent : Optional lift back (Magic Pass valid) Highlights : Forest trails, alpages with local cheese, panoramic views, Kuklos rotating restaurant Variants : Via Col du Luissel (steeper) Main ridge path (longer, more scenic) Option to Lac d’Aï or Solacyre Download GPS file The hike from Leysin (1300m) to La Berneuse (2044m) is perfect if you want a solid training session but don’t have the whole day. In just about 1.5 hours , you gain 750 meters of elevation and can reward yourself with a scenic ride back down via the télécabine (thank you, Magic Pass!). You can park your car at the base of the télécabine—or take the bus if you’re going car-free. From there, follow the road on the left of the lift , marked with signs for the Via Ferrata . After a few minutes, the trail curves sharply back (U-turn) ...