Bernese Oberland · Point-to-point mountain hike
Via Alpina Red R100
Schwarenbach to Adelboden via Chindbettipass
Use this route
Leave the mountain hotel at Schwarenbach, cross high limestone country above the Gemmi area, then descend through Engstligenalp to Adelboden. An adventurous one-way mountain walk with a very different landscape on each side of the pass.
Make it your day
Effort, pace & provisions
Allow a full walking day, with extra time for breaks and your approach to Schwarenbach. Mountain paths, high passes and a long descent suit sure-footed hikers with mountain experience. This is not a valley stroll.
The GPX begins at Schwarenbach and ends in Adelboden. Add your approach and onward journey separately; the cable car alternative is not part of the track.
Build a food and fluid planAdjust the calculator's duration to your walking or running pace, planned breaks and conditions.
Climbs and route briefing
Route briefing
What comes next
Climbs, descents and decisive places in route order. Not listed does not mean absent: it may not be mapped.
Start
0 m
Schwarenbach
Start
Route geometry · source 2026-09-14
About 0 min in
15.8 km remaining
+734 m remaining
Climb
0 m
550 m climb
3.3 km at 16.8% average
OpenStreetMap route data · source 2026-09-14
About 0 min in
15.8 km remaining
+734 m remaining
Climb
3.7 km
90 m climb
0.8 km at 10.9% average
OpenStreetMap route data · source 2026-09-14
About 1h 35m in
12.1 km remaining
+271 m remaining
Finish
15.8 km
Adelboden
Finish
Route geometry · source 2026-09-14
About 6h 46m in
0 m remaining
Before you go
A high mountain crossing
Best season: July to September in snow-free conditions. Early or late snow can change the crossing; check the passes and lift openings for your dates.
Mountain weather
Choose a settled forecast and start early enough for the high crossing. Pack waterproofs, warm layers, sun protection and a headlamp.
MeteoSwiss forecastFood, water & a bed
Ask Schwarenbach about meals, packed lunches, drinking-water refills and accommodation. Carry enough between confirmed stops; opening dates change with the season.
Contact the mountain hotelPass conditions
Use the snow and restriction map layers alongside local advice. An empty closure map is not an all-clear, and satellite snow evidence cannot establish footing on a steep path.
Swiss closures & diversionsGetting there
Reach the start. Plan the way home.
Schwarenbach is a mountain hotel between the Gemmi and Sunnbüel, not a public transport stop. Choose your approach before starting this hike.
Approach from Kandersteg
Take the Sunnbüel cable car, then walk to Schwarenbach. The approach is additional to this 15.8 km track. Check the mountain hotel for approach information and the operator for lift times.
Find public transport Schwarenbach: stay & approachesApproach from Leukerbad
Use the Gemmi cable car and walk towards Schwarenbach. Allow for that extra walk before the R100 start, or book a night at the hotel.
Find public transport Gemmi arrival informationReturn from Adelboden
Check bus connections from Adelboden for your actual arrival time. To shorten the walking descent, consider the Engstligenalp cable car; this GPX follows the walking route instead.
Find public transport Engstligenalp lift statusKeep it on your phone
Navigate with or without a signal
Use Navigate above to start while connected. For offline use, choose Take offline and download the route and maps before leaving coverage.
- For reliable reopening on a hike, install TrailSplits and open this trail inside the app.
- Download there and wait for the offline check to finish. iPhone browser downloads may be separate from the installed app.
- Try airplane mode, close and reopen the app, then start your downloaded route from My Hikes.
A saved bookmark is not an offline download. Keep a backup map and power for a full day in the mountains.
Route & sources
About this R100 track
R100 is the historical Via Alpina Red stage from Schwarenbach to Adelboden. The main Via Alpina alignment changed in 2024, but this mountain crossing remains a route to explore in its own right. Our 500-point track was checked against the complete OSM relation on 14 September 2026, without changing its coordinates. Distance and elevation are track estimates, not a survey; this is a source review, not a field inspection.