Via Untere Fründschnuer | Mountain hiking

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Via Untere Fründschnuer (Normal route) Fründenhütte SAC 2562 m

Difficulty

T4
Ascent

3:30–4 h, 1130 m
Descent

260 m

Hut approach via the exposed Untere Fründschnuer

The Untere Fründschnuer is an exposed ledge system high above the eastern shore of Oeschinensee. Since early summer 2020, this route has been used as the normal approach to the Fründenhütte. The original approach to the hut via the southern shore of Oeschinensee was closed due to the risk of rockslides from the area of Spitzen Stein. When the hut opened in summer 2020, the Fründschnuer path was improved and equipped with fixed ropes throughout. This impressive path is now well established and it is possible to secure yourself with a running carabiner or via ferrata set.

The ledges of Untere Fründschnuer, easily visible in the centre of the cliffband. At first descedning slightly, later rising. (10/2011) © Senn-Erismann Bernhard

Another clear view of the ledges of Untere Fründschnuer, cutting through the cliff band. (10/2011) © Senn-Erismann Bernhard

Foot path junction at Unterbärgli with sign for Fründschnuer. © Fründenhütte SAC

Approach to the Fründschnuer. © Fründenhütte SAC

On the approach to Fründschnuer. © Fründenhütte SAC

View down over the beautiful Oeschinensee © Fründenhütte SAC

Start of the Fründschnuer ledges. © Fabian Lippuner

Protected section of the Fründschnuer ledge. © Fründenhütte SAC

Spectacular, exposed, but secured passage. © Fründenhütte SAC

Spectacular, exposed passage. © Fründenhütte SAC

Always with this view down onto Oeschinensee! © Fründenhütte SAC

Ascent at the end of the Fründschnuer. © Fabian Lippuner

Way up to join the old approach path. © Fründenhütte SAC

More relaxing terrain at last... © Fründenhütte SAC

Descending back towards the Fründschnuer. © Fründenhütte SAC

The snow field here can last long into summer. © Fründenhütte SAC

Traverse to join the old hut appraoch. © Fründenhütte SAC

Large stone marking the join with the old hut path. © Fründenhütte SAC

Shortly before reaching the hut © Fründenhütte SAC

The Fründenhütte, SAC Altels. (2017) © Bernhard Winkler

Route description

Top station Oeschinensee – Läger – Underbärgli

From the top station of the Kandersteg-Oeschinen gondola (1683 m), first follow the road in the direction of Oeschinensee. At P. 1670 take the path to the Sennhütte restaurant in Läger. From here, a mountain path leads over a distinctive band south of Oeschinensee up to Alp Underbärgli.

Alp Underbärgli – Untere Fründschnuer – P. 1960

On Alp Underbärgli, follow the well-marked path in a southerly direction to the beginning of the ledge. Now follow the exposed, mostly horizontal ledge to the south-east (steel cables in places). From the end of the ledge, the exposure drops and the path leads up and round to join the normal route to the Fründenhütte at P. 1960.

P. 1960 – Fründenhütte

From P. 1960 follow the old hut approach via Mittelchnubel up to the moraine and reach the Fründenhütte via a scree slope.

Additional information

Departure point

Oeschinensee, upper station (1683 m)

www.oeschinensee.ch

Get there Google Maps

Oeschinen (Bergstation)

Difficulty / Material: The Fründschnuer is equipped with fixed ropes throughout, the path is well established. Nevertheless, it is a demanding alpine hike in no-fall terrain. A carabiner or via ferrata set can be used to attach to the fixed rope. Only tackle in dry conditions! The trail in the Fründschnuer becomes slippery and very tricky when wet.