Pilatus Westgrat

June 3, 2023 by Pat  ‐  2 min read

Difficulty T4
⇄ Distance 15.0 km
↑ Up 1680 m
↓ Down 630 m
Notable Locations Gfellen, Blaue Tosse, Stäfeliflue, Tripolihütte, Mittaggüpfi, Rottosse, Widderfeld, Tomlishorn, Pilatus
Public Transit Access? Yes

The exposed ridge that led from the base of the Widderfeld (not in view) to the Tomlishorn (peak on the right).

Quick Summary

  • A scenic but very exposed hike along the entire western ridge of the Pilatus.
  • Started in Gfellen.
    • Took the train to Entlebuch and then had a short ride with the PostAuto to Gfellen.
  • The first portion of the hike was through grassy fields and then a densely forested area.
  • The ascent up to the first peak (Blaue Tosse) was somewhat steep but not particularly exposed.
    • The ridge traverse started after the Blaue Tosse.
  • There were several exposed sections on the way to the Tripolihütte, but most of the trickier sections were secured by chains.

One particularly exposed passage that was shortly before the Tripolihütte just below an unnamed peak P1843.

  • The ascent up to the Mittaggüpfi was somewhat steep but it was, again, well secured by chains.
  • Descended down to the saddle between the Mittaggüpfi and the Widderfeld before ascending to the Widderfeld.
    • This section was quite steep but not particularly exposed.

From the Widderfeld, the western ridge from the Tomlishorn finally came into view.

  • I found the descent from the Widderfeld heading towards the start of the western ridge to be the most challenging part of the hike.
    • There was a short but near-vertical scrambling section that was very exposed.
    • As with most of the other exposed sections, this was again accompanied by chains.

The tricky scrambling section on the northern side of the Widderfeld when heading towards the western ridge.

  • In the northern couloir beneath the Widderfeld there was a single snowfield that need crossing.
  • The path that led up to the start of the ridge was relatively wide, but the subsequent ridge path was very narrow.
    • This western ridge to the Tomlishorn was extremely exposed (>200 meter near-vertical drop on both sides).
    • There were two short scrambling passages over this ridge that were again secured with chains.

A look back over the western ridge traverse to the Tomlishorn. The rocky mountain on the left is the Widderfeld.

  • The final stretch from the Tomlishorn to the Pilatus consisted of a paved path.
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