St Niklaus - Herbriggen - Galenberg - Europa Hut
- Distance: 15km
- Duration: (with breaks): 7h 30min
- Elevation gain/loss: 1450m/400m
Europaweg, the final section of Walker’s Haute route, is an iconic two-day hike, which is both demanding and rewarding. Once up there you pretty much have awesome views all the way until Zermatt.
However, the section from Gasenried until Galenberg has been closed since 2019 due to damage on the path that made the section too dangerous and difficult to repair. This meant that we had to take a detour – a walk until Herbriggen and then a grueling climb to Galenberg – 1300m ascent! The hardest climb has been left for the end… 🙂 And it was indeed tough.
From St Niklaus, a flat path leads towards Herbriggen. We spotted a few amateur signs (laminated pieces of paper) about the Europaweg detour, but I suggest not rely only on them as some turns are not indicated. The sign situation got even worse when we passed Herbriggen and started climbing up and my guide maps.me app didn’t even show that there is a path.
Without a proper map, we had to rely on the few signs and logic (we should be going south-ish). It’s not like there were multiple paths to choose from, but because it wasn’t on any guiding app we were doubting what is a path in this section. I know, I know, I sound like a city girl that relies on apps telling where to go… I do, ok?
Anyway, we did not get lost and just kept on climbing. And climbing. And climbing. After we left the tree line, we climbed with awesome views and it felt as if the top should be close. Yeah, right. Without the app recognizing the path (there she goes again) we didn’t know how much is left, we only knew our current altitude and the altitude at the destination, so that’s how we assessed our progress.
At around 2200m height (300-400m elevation left to gain) we both were pretty much done with this climb. Then a local senior passed us as if walking on flat land. Respect. We can do this as well.
And so at 13:00 (we started around 8:00) we made it to the top! And guess what, there was a bench with a table right below the top – best lunch place ever!
Weisshorn peak was in its full beauty while Mr. Matterhorn like some shy mountain goat was showing us just the peak, hiding behind the other mountains. From our lunch place, it was 1,5h until the hut and mostly on the same elevation level, jeeey! We finally could relax a bit and enjoy the rest of the hike.
I get why Europaweg is praised so much, it was a rough and fragile terrain with breathtaking views all around you. We had to cross a sketchy-looking (and moving) bridge, but besides that the path was fine. A lot of loose gravel on the sides of the mountains, probably that’s why this path is a total no-no when the weather turns sour. We had a hot sunny day, so perfect time to be at the top.
We had the path to ourselves almost all the way till the hut, so when we started meeting small groups going the other direction, it was a sign that we’re close to our destination.
At around 15:30 we entered the hut, done for today! Jonas and Yves were already there, much faster than me with my ankle (yep, I still had to slow down, especially when descending). The rest of the evening we spent sitting outside the hut, enjoying the views and playing cards. Great location to finish the hike.
Day 13 tips
- You might want to have a decent physical map for the first hour after Herbriggen as it’s quite confusing where to go and signs are scarce (or at least were in 2020). Otherwise, just make sure that after Herbriggen in the forest you stick to the right. You’ll reach a stream, which you need to cross and then continue up from there. You will be ascending the whole time, otherwise it’s a wrong path.
- Before going to Europaweg, check the official website of the path for latest developments. It’s a fragile landscape, you never know.
- Official Europaweg website