Skip to main content

Via ferrata Rotstock

The via ferrata to the summit of the Rotstock is all about the Eiger. With the help of ladders and fixed wire ropes we can conquer a part of the notorious north face.

Grindelwald Tourismus
CH - 3818 Grindelwald
+41 33 854 12 12
grindelwald.swiss
info@grindelwald.swiss

On the ride with the Eiger Express from Grindelwald to the Eiger Glacier we get very close to the 1800 m high Eiger North Face. A short time later we will not only see it, but feel it. But first we have to get from the Eiger glacier to the via ferrata. To do so, we follow the Eiger Trail to "Chräjenbiel". From here we walk over the grassy ridge to the left of the striking gully between the north face and the Rotstock, before following the wire ropes and partly over ladders - one of which dates from 1899 - to make the first ascent. We continue on the trail until we reach a niche leading to the gallery hole of the former Rotstock station of the Jungfrau Railway. A mighty ascent now leads us into the wide gully that separates the Rotstock from the west ridge. Via stair-like steps and ribbons we reach the Eiger west flank - and from here via the east ridge in a few minutes the summit. The way back leads back to the west flank. From here we take the usual descent of the Eiger Westflanke.

Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
2.9km
Duration
2 hours, 45 minutes
Ascent
450 vm
Descent
450 vm
Starting Point
Eiger Glacier Station (2320 m a.s.l.)
Ending Point
Eiger Glacier Station (2320 m a.s.l.)
Top classicViaFerrata

Details

Difficulty
Moderate
Condition
Landscape
Altitude
2663m2237m
Recommended season
  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

Equipment

Compulsory equipment: climbing harness, via ferrata set, climbing helmet, latching sling (webbing sling and screw carabiner), climbing rucksack and sturdy shoes.

Optional equipment: via ferrata gloves.

Safety Guidelines

For the via ferrata we need good physical condition, surefootedness and a head for heights, appropriate equipment and knowledge of mountain behaviour. If you are inexperienced, it is advisable to do the via ferrata with a mountain guide. We only go to the wall in good weather - and leave immediately if the weather changes or there is a risk of thunderstorms. A carabiner always remains on the safety rope.

The ascent is at your own risk. Jungfrau Region Tourism declines all liability.

More information and links

Directions

Starting Point

Eiger Glacier Station (2320 m a.s.l.)

Koordinates :

Geographic 46.574982 N 7.97391 E

Ending Point

Eiger Glacier Station (2320 m a.s.l.)

Getting There

Public transport

Thanks to its central location in Europe, Switzerland is served by international trains from over 12 countries. Within Switzerland, Intercity trains run from Basel and Lucerne directly to the Jungfrau Region. Travellers from Zurich change trains in Bern. The trains run every half hour.

 

Grindelwald

From Interlaken Ost railway station we reach Grindelwald without changing trains on the Bernese Oberland Bahn (BOB). Important: Get on the rear part of the train, as it splits in Zweilütschinen. If you get on at the front, you will end up in Lauterbrunnen. The journey takes 30 minutes to Grindelwald Terminal (V-Bahn). Three minutes later we are at the terminal in the village.

There are three stations in Grindelwald (Terminal, Grund and Dorf). The terminal station (Dorf) is in the centre of Grindelwald.

 

Wengen

From Interlaken Ost station we reach Wengen in 44 minutes. The blue and yellow train of the Berner Oberland Bahn (BOB) takes us to Lauterbrunnen. Important: We sit in the front part of the train, as it splits in Zweilütschinen. If you take a seat at the back, you will make a detour to Grindelwald. In Lauterbrunnen we change to the yellow-green train of the Wengernalp Bahn (WAB). This takes us to Wengen in 12 minutes.

Getting there

From Basel and Geneva, the fastest route to the Jungfrau Region is via Bern. From Zurich, the route via Lucerne and the Brünig Pass is recommended. The pass is open all year round.

 

From the south, travel to the Jungfrau Region via the Grimsel or Susten Pass. Both passes are only open in summer. An alternative is the Simplon Pass with subsequent car transport through the Lötschberg tunnel.

 

Grindelwald

From Interlaken we follow the main road to Zweilütschinen. Here we turn left towards Grindelwald. The whole trip takes about 30 minutes and leads over a partly winding road.

 

Wengen

Wengen is car-free. If we arrive by car, we have to leave it in Lauterbrunnen and take the train. The journey from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen takes about 20 minutes.

Parking

Grindelwald

There are three public car parks: Parkhaus Eiger+ (252 parking spaces), Parkhaus Sportzentrum (160 parking spaces) and the new Terminal Parking (1000 spaces) of the V-Bahn. Alternatively, we can also use the car park in Grindelwald Grund.

 

Wengen

There is a multi-storey car park directly below Lauterbrunnen station. Alternatively, you can use the car park at the Lauterbrunnen church. From here, a bus leaves for the station every half hour. On foot we need about 10 minutes.

A covered passage leads from the Lauterbrunnen car park to the cable cars to Wengen.

Grindelwald Tourismus
CH - 3818 Grindelwald
+41 33 854 12 12
grindelwald.swiss
info@grindelwald.swiss

Book your accommodation now!





Book additional services!

Special offers