Wildhaus – Unterwasser – Thurfaelle – Laui – Gamplut – Wildhaus

This may be one of the most beautiful hikes in the area and it is not even very long, so it really should be on everyone’s to-do list. It features stunning views of the mountains and the rather spectacular Thurfaelle waterfall. It can also be shortened so you can adjust it as needed.

Start in Wildhaus, where there is a train station and plenty of parking behind the church. Make your way to Unterwasser, which is downhill so an easy way to warm up for the height meters to come. You will already have lovely views of the mountains on either side of the valley on the way.

From Unterwasser follow the signs towards the Thurfaelle, which leads through lovely flower-filled meadows. It is not long before you will reach a fireplace in the woods. Walk around the fireplace and you will already see parts of the waterfall down the path.

Follow the path along the stream. Soon you will see a doorway on your right which leads to stairs in a tunnel that goes steeply uphill. Follow the tunnel and watch your step as it can be slippery. After a few height meters you will step out of the tunnel onto the top of a rocky plateau that gives you a most amazing and up close view of the Thurfaelle waterfall.

Make your way back down through the tunnel and turn right when stepping out of it at the bottom. The path leads a bit further into a small cave from where you will have another lovely view of the waterfall.

Once you have sufficiently admired the waterfall, return to the fireplace and turn left, following the path uphill. It leads through the woods for a little while but soon arrives at open meadows. It now winds through a few hills, slowly leading uphill until you arrive at a road. Keep following the road towards Laui, you will pass the Aelpli restaurant on the way.

Despite the occasional car driving by, the walk along this road is absolutely stunning as the views of the mountains are really amazing. Be sure to turn around occasionally since there are great views in all direction.

Soon you will arrive at Laui, where there is a large parking lot, kiosk and play area. Pass through this busy place to the open meadows beyond. This is a great place to find yourself a rock to sit and have lunch so you have plenty of time to admire the views.

From Laui, follow the paved road along the edge of the woods. There is the occasional path going of to the right but for this hike, keep following the road which leads gently uphill. The road keeps leading further into the valley below Rotstein pass with the view opening up to a couple more waterfalls.

Now the road bends to the right and soon ends at a rock wall. Take the path leading uphill to the right. Soon you will reach the woods again. Follow the path until it comes out on the other side of the woods, continuing uphill.

Now it’s just around a bend and you can see a hiking sign on top of the path in the distance. There you will have reached the high-point of the hike. This is also the top of the gondola coming up from Wildhaus and a little restaurant in the gondola station.

Make your way downhill following the signs into Wildhaus and after about half an hour you will be back in the village.

This is a fairly gentle hike and can be done in an afternoon. However, if you would like to shorten it, you could reverse it. This gives you the chance to take the Gamplut gondola up from Wildhaus and also take the bus back up from Unterwasser. This way you would avoid almost all height meters and still get to enjoy the lovely views of the mountains and the Thurfaelle waterfall.