Stage 4: Elm → Linthal

Via Alpina · Day 4 of 20 · km 63 of 392

Distance

24.8 km

Ascent

+1,654 m

Descent

−1,967 m

Estimated average time

9 h 15 min

Highest 2,262 m · lowest 647 m

24.8 kilometres, 1,654 metres of ascent, 1,967 metres of descent, 9 hours 15 minutes of walking, an estimated average; highest point at 2,262 metres, lowest at 647 metres.

Technique: medium · fitness: hard

What Clotilde says

Vaduz → Montreux

Big day: 1654 m of climbing, 1967 m of descent and the Richetlipass in between. Before the pass, the Wichlenmatt brings you face to face with the Kärpf, where hunting has been banned since 1548. Look for chamois on the steep slopes: their soft hooves grip the rock better than your boots. In Linthal, after 9 h 15 min of walking, a nap is compulsory.

Montreux → Vaduz

From Linthal, head for the Richetlipass: 1967 m of climbing in all, and 9 h 30 min of walking. Pack enough for two picnics. After the pass, the Wichlenmatt shows you the Kärpf, the oldest hunting reserve in Europe. Look for chamois around the tree line. Elm and your bed are waiting on the other side.

Along the way

• The Kärpf On this stage, the Wichlenmatt faces the Kärpf. In the Kärpf massif, hunting has been banned since 1548: it is the oldest hunting reserve in Europe.

In the nature guide

Chamois

Sources: Wikipedia, "Freiberg Kärpf" (German); Südostschweiz, "Der Freiberg Kärpf wird dieses Jahr 475 Jahre alt"; swisstopo, Elm–Linthal stage sheet.

See on SwitzerlandMobility (new tab)

Distances, ascents, walking times and route: Federal Roads Office FEDRO, cantons, SwitzerlandMobility Foundation — Hiking in Switzerland (ch.astra.wanderland), open data OPEN BY.