From Schwägalp, descent to Unterwasser | Mountain hiking

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Silberplatten
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- From Schwägalp, descent to Unterwasser
From Schwägalp, descent to Unterwasser

From Schwägalp, descent to Unterwasser (Normal route) Silberplatten 2156 m

Difficulty

T4
Ascent

3 h, 970 m
Descent

3–4 h, 1400 m

Better silver than gold?

It is obvious why Silberplatten has its name: the slab made of compact limestone glitters silvery in the sun. Of course, there is no silver to be found, but instead an itinerary winding its way up to the summit. Climbing is not required.

The itinerary on Silberplatte just before the summit © Fabian Lippuner

View to the first part of the tour: on the right the grassy Grenzchopf, then Silberplatten, Silberplattenköpfe, Stosssattel (which you cross) and Stoss © Fabian Lippuner

Traversing from Tierwies to Silberplatten © Fabian Lippuner

Route description

Schwägalp – saddle at P. 2027

From Schwägalp follow the «Grüeziweg» to Tierwies. From there follow a trail up and down almost to the saddle at P. 2072 (sometimes called Silberplattensattel).

Saddle at P. 2072 - Silberplatten and back

As soon as the white-red-white marked hiking trail descends southward, leave it to traverse on the ridge and past an exposed passage (T4) to reach the saddle. From the saddle ascend among boulders until below the slab. Slightly ascending, traverse eastward (right) until you reach a characteristic gully at the end of the slab. Scramble up the gully, and in an arc from left to right ascend to the roomy summit, overcoming a short climbing passage. With good visibility the itinerary is easy to find. The descent back to the saddle at P. 2072 is on the ascent.

Saddle at P. 2072 - Stosssattel - Alpli - Unterwasser

There are many variants for the descent. The most interesting is as follows: from the saddle descend to the hiking trail, negotiating a short escarpment. The trail goes around the climbing faces of Silberplatten to reach Stosssattel (2042 m). Continue on this hiking trail across the saddle at Lauchwies and past the Schrenit and the Trosen alp to the picturesque Alpli. On a sunny day with a lot of visitors you have a good chance to hitch a ride to Unterwasser. If you hike down (1 Std.), do not forget to make a little detour to visit the Thurfälle waterfall.

Additional information

Departure point

Schwägalp, Säntis aerial cableway (1352 m)

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Schwägalp, Säntis-Schwebebahn

End point

Unterwasser, Post (905 m)

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Unterwasser, Post

Time: Schwägalp - Tierwies - saddle at P. 2072 - Silberplatten: 3 h

Silberplatten - Stosssattel - Alpli - Unterwasser: 3–4 h

The tour can be shortened by nearly 2 hours by riding the Säntisbahn to the intermediate station on pylon 2 (2236 m). From there Tierwies can be reached with a 15 minute descent (T3). In the opposite direction the tour is more strenuous and considerably longer.

Difficulty / Material: Until shortly before the saddle at P. 2072 the ascent is on white-red-white marked mountain hiking trails (T3). The last stretch up to the small saddle is slightly exposed, but not difficult. The route is unmarked, but easy to find. Except on a short escarpment (T4, I) hands are not needed for climbing. Caution, rock fall.

Waypoints

Stoss (SG) (2111 m)

From Stosssattel it takes about 15 minutes to reach the Stoss summit, from where you have a splendid view to the south face of Silberplatten and the adjacent Silberplattenköpfe. From Stosssattel (2042 m) traverse the north face to reach the west ridge. Follow this ridge (sometimes sidestepping to the south face) on a faint path until the gully leading to the foot of the summit structure. Climb the last metres to the summit flag with a few moves (one passage is T5, I).