On foot · Leukerbad · October 2026
The Gemmiweg, up the cliff
A village nestled at the foot of a huge cirque of cliffs, and a mule track climbing them in zigzags. Emmanuelle had walked it in August 2013 with her father.
- Date
- October 2026
- Distance
- 11 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,112 m
- Walking time
- 3 h 25 min
- Pass
- Gemmi · 2,350 m
The route · indicative
The climb
Goethe, Twain and us
From below, Christian wonders where on earth the path can go. Yet the Gemmiweg, a historic track of about 4.6 kilometres and nearly 970 metres of climbing, winds up the wall, wide, perfectly maintained and secured.
Goethe, Mark Twain, Lenin and Picasso all used it. On this 5 October it is scorching in the cliff: shorts and T-shirts. Until the top, where the icy wind reminds us you can go from sauna to freezer in minutes.
The plateau
The dry lake and the terrace
The plateau isn't as dreary as remembered: a glacier, harsh and grand alpine scenery. The Daubensee, however, is dry over nine tenths of its surface.
A final spritz at the brand-new Gemmi Lodge, its terrace hanging over the void and Leukerbad. A fine example of tourist infrastructure that truly enhances a place.
