from Kandersteg
from the Bernese Oberland in one day walking to the Wallis
From Kandersteg train station, the route heads south. Follow the signs to Eggenschwand. Here is the bottom station of the Sunnbühlbahn. Alternatively, this distance can be covered also by bus. The march time is reduced, this is a half-hour. In Eggenschwand the trail goes right along the Kander and rises through the canyon into the Gasterntal. After an hour, the Waldhaus is reached. The route leads now only slightly uphill through the romantic Gasterntal. In June here you can admire the rare women shoes, an endangered orchid.
After 2 1/2 hours you reach the sign “Bletschuweidli” towards Lötschenpass. Who turns right will not pass by in Selden. If you prefer taking a break in Hotel Steinbock or in Hotel Selden here follows the carriage road and reaches in 10 minutes the two inns. At the Hotel Steinbock (1550 m above sea level. M.) the taxi bus is stopping. Here branches off the well-marked trail and crosses the Kander over a suspension bridge. The 300 vertical meters to Gfellalp (1845 m above sea level. M.) have to be managed via switchbacks. It takes an hour.
The trail climbs further up the pastures and reaches the Läckboden, a plane with an impressive view of the valley and its cliffs. Now follows the rise under the east wall of the Balmhorns. Already you have completed 5 1/2 march time now. It follows the crossing to the moraine and on to the glacier. This is well marked with poles and ^has to be crossed. The trail continues on the opposite moraine and follow it in a southerly direction to a rocky recovery. During the last 45 minutes are a few steep sections to master in rocky terrain, these places are secured with steel ropes. The hikers are rewarded after the long climb now with the views of the Valais four-thousand. Finally the hut is in sight, which is reached in a few minutes.