©  (c) Destination Gstaad / Melanie Uhkoetter / Région de vacances Gstaad
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The Wild W's: Col du Pillon - Kandersteg

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The multi-day route leads the ski tourer through the most attractive part of the western Bernese Oberland. It starts in the Diablerets massif and passes over the two famous peaks Wildhorn and Wildstrubel. The route rewards you with a breathtaking view of the nearby Valais four-thousanders. The route goes from hut to hut and requires alpine experience.

  • Difficulty difficult
  • Duration 12:36 h
  • Distance 55,8 km
  • 3862 m
  • 5467 m
Tags
  • Multi-stage route
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Summit route
  • Scenic

Ferienregion Gstaad
Update: 20.10.2025

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The multi-day route starts with the cable car ride to Sex Rouge. From there, a descent follows to Sanetschpass. The first ascent leads via Arête de l’Arpille to Arpelistock (3036m). The wonderful descent to the remote Geltenhütte (2003m) leads through ideally inclined north slopes.

The second stage begins with the ascent via Rottal and Gältegletscher to Col du Brochet. Then it continues below the Glacier du Brochet to the saddle at the foot of the south ridge of Mont Pucel. Then northwards over the glacier to the summit of Wildhorn. From the summit over the Chilchlig glacier to the Wildhornhütte.

From Wildhornhütte to the Chilchlig glacier into Schnidejoch. Then onto Schnidehorn - always avoiding obstacles on the right (south) side to the summit. Afterwards, a descent follows to Plan des Roses - south to Pt. 2391. Then across the plateau through the valley to Wildstrubelhütte.

From Wildstrubelhütte via Wisshorelücke or Wisshore onto the Plaine Morte glacier heading east to the foot of Wildstrubel. From there, over the southwest ridge to the summit. Descent over the east side to Lämmerenhütte.

The last stage starts with the ascent through the Lämmerental to the Rote Totz col. Then begins the descent over the Tällä glacier to Tällä and via Walliswang into the Üschenental to Kandersteg.

  • Approach

    The Gstaad holiday region is located in the southwest of Switzerland directly on the border with the French-speaking part of the country. The region is conveniently accessible by train or car from the Thun Lake region, the Lake Geneva area, and the Gruyère region. Direct connections to the European high-speed train network and to all international airports in Switzerland guarantee a time-saving and pleasant arrival. The main means of transport in the Gstaad holiday region are the "MOB" railway (Montreux-Oberland Bernois) and numerous postal bus lines.

    Glacier 3000 is accessible from Gstaad by bus or car.

    On the page Arrival and public transport on gstaad.ch, you will find detailed arrival information.

  • Outbound: by bus from Gstaad to Col du Pillon, Glacier 3000

    Return: by bus from Kandersteg, Gemmi to Kandersteg train station, then by train via Spiez and Zweisimmen to Gstaad.

  • Parking lot at the Glacier 3000 valley station

  • Stage 1: Col du Pillon-Glacier des Diablerets – Sanetschpass – Arpelistock – Geltenhütte

    Stage 2: Geltenhütte – Col du Brochet – Wildhorn – Wildhornhütte

    Stage 3: Wildhornhütte – Schnidenhorn – Plan des Roses – Wildstrubelhütte

    Stage 4: Wildstrubelhütte – Wildstrubel – Lämmerenhütte

    Stage 5: Lämmerenhütte – Roter Trotz – Üschenentäli-Kandersteg

    • You are responsible for route selection and assessment of your own experience, performance capability, and alpine dangers during tours going up and down in alpine terrain.
    • Carefully plan every mountain tour and adapt it to your own conditions as well as to the weather and season.
    • The weather can change rapidly in the mountains. Therefore, take appropriate clothing and enough provisions and water. Turn back in time if the weather is uncertain.
    • Inform others about the route and, if possible, never go alone.
    • Walking on ski slopes is prohibited.
    • Be considerate of other hikers as well as plants and animals.
    • Observe the warning signs that draw attention to the constant danger in the riverbed and on the banks of the watercourses below dams and water reservoirs.

  • Our recommendation

    • Ski touring equipment: ski touring boots, touring skis with free-heel binding, ski poles, skins, crampons
    • Avalanche transceiver (LVS)
    • Backpack, shovel, probe

    • Glacier equipment

    • Warm, weatherproof clothing
    • Warm gloves and hat
    • Sunglasses and sunscreen
    • Warm drinks
    • Snacks (energy-rich food such as chocolate, dried fruit)
  • Technique
  • Stamina
  • Experience
  • Landscape
  • Difficulty
Maximum altitude 3240 M
Minimum altitude 1198 M