Via ferrata with extreme strength/endurance factor. Clearly the number one Swiss ferrata! About 900 meters in properly steep terrain, and despite the many ladders not overly secured. Where the rock provides steps and hand holds, additional iron was not used in construction. Since a lot of strength and endurance is required; who consciously climbs and pulls less on the wires will save energy. An extra, short sling with carabiner is highly recommended: In this way you can give your arm muscles a rest from time to time. Already the first section (K4-5) is very demanding with an extremely exposed series of ladders leading to the Upper Gemsfreiheit. The second part is even longer, and harder (K5-6) making it even more challenging, with two extreme variants high on the wall. The "Via Konst" variant can be described as the most airy passage of all Swiss via ferrat. It is named after Konstantin Grichting, initiator and co-creator of the via ferrata, who died in an accident at work. Get there early and go only in very safe weather, not too early in the year (otherwise there'll be too much meltwater flowing through the Great Gorge). Anyone who has problems on the "small via ferrata" can descend from the Upper Gemsfreiheit via Mieläs to Leukerbad. Significant danger of falling rocks in the gorge above the Gemsfreiheit. Telescopic walking poles for descent are pleasant (often some old snow).

Approach: 20 mins Small Ferrata, with Descent to Leukerbad 5½ hrs.

Well marked. Information board on the lower Schmitte (Gemmiweg).

Follow the safety cable on a long, promising traverse to the sloping meadow of Mieläs (about 2350 m), then in zigzag, evading various rock steps (some cables), down into the grassy basin of Tysche (1832 m). Continue downhill, over the Pischürgraben to the huts of Fiess, then follow the Geissenweg back to Leukerbad (5½ hours from Gemmipass).