Easy
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 5.0 km / 3.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 163 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 4 min
- Waymarked route
23-Alpine Passes Trail
ModerateValais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 12.1 km (7.5 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 574 m (1,883 ft)
- Typical time
- 3 hr 23 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Point to point
- Highest point
- 2,429 m (7,969 ft)
About 23-Alpine Passes Trail
23-Alpine Passes Trail is a 12.1 km hiking route in Valais/Wallis, Switzerland. It climbs roughly 574 m (1,883 ft) along the way, topping out at 2,429 m (7,969 ft). Most people take around 3 hr 23 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Expect a steady effort with a few sustained climbs, well within reach if you walk regularly.
The high meadows are grazed in summer, so expect livestock and the occasional working farm. The higher sections open out completely, with ridgelines stacking into the distance on clear days.
Start and finish are in different places, which means public transport or a second car is part of the planning. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
The high sections hold snow long after the valleys are green, which keeps the usable season to high summer. The nearest town of any size is Sierre, about 13.4 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by Wanderland Schweiz.
In short, 23-Alpine Passes Trail suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Moderate12.1 km574 m2,429 m
Numbered marks every 5 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +574 m
- Descent
- −1,321 m
- High
- 2,429 m (7,969 ft)
- Low
- 1,404 m (4,606 ft)
The route in detail
The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 62 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.
Highlights
- High point of 2,429 m (7,969 ft)
- Alpine meadow
- Waymarked route
- Mountain
- Waymarked and signposted
Know before you go
- Best season
- July to September
- Waymarked
- Yes, signed on the ground
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Patchy on the upper sections
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 85/100
- Adventure
- 50/100
- Difficulty
- 43/100
- Accessibility
- 42/100
- Family
- 23/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for july to september for the most reliable conditions.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
- At this altitude the weather can turn in under an hour, and temperatures drop fast once cloud arrives.
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in Switzerland are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Microspikes if you are walking at the edges of the season
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Trails near 23-Alpine Passes Trail
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Moderate
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 11.5 km / 7.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 421 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 46 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 5.7 km / 3.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 525 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 23 min
Moderate
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 9.6 km / 6.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 143 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 13 min
- Mountain
- Alpine meadow
- Waymarked route
Easy
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 3.5 km / 2.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 577 m
- Typical duration
- 51 min
- Waymarked route
Hard
Valais/Wallis · Switzerland
- Distance
- 16.2 km / 10.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,112 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 4 min
- Waymarked route