High-altitude hike from the Niederhorn to the Gemmenalphorn

On the mountain path from the Niederhorn to the Gemmenalphorn, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau present themselves as do the ibexes. On the way they wait impatiently in the morning for the first hikers.

It is worth being quiet and looking around again and again. The first ibex lies comfortably on the hiking trail and seems to enjoy the Alpine panorama to the full: The ibexes and chamois on the ridge above Beatenberg are not exactly shy. Animal lovers come particularly close to the Alpine inhabitants when they go stalking with a wildlife specialist from the region - armed only with binoculars and camera.

The challenging ridge hike from the Niederhorn (summit height 1963m), which is easily climbed in the gondola lift, to the Gemmenalphorn (2061m) also offers a panoramic view in a class of its own. In the south, the shining silver Lake Thun, framed by a mosaic of forests and meadows, above the postcard triumvirate. In the north, the green Justistal valley with its Alps, fir forests and huts stretches as far as the crescent-shaped transition into the Eriz.

At first easy, the well marked mountain path later becomes a bit narrower, but easy to walk on. To the Gemmenalphorn it is 1h30 pure marching time. Here we have a clear view to the east of the "Seven Stallions", and we understand why the Kalkrippen have this name - exactly seven of them.

A somewhat more strenuous descent leads over Gemmenalp to Habkern, through an incredibly attractive karst landscape.