Lötschen Pass

The Lötschen Pass (el. 2690 m.) (German: Lötschenpass, also Lötschberg) is a high mountain pass in Switzerland across the Lötschberg, connecting Kandersteg in the canton of Berne and Ferden in the canton of Valais. On the north side of the pass is a two kilometre-long glacier named Lötschengletscher.

Although it is a glacier pass, the Lötschen Pass can be easily crossed by hikers without mountaineering equipment. The complete traverse from Kandersteg railway station to Goppenstein railway station (the two stations on both ends of the Lötschberg Tunnel) lasts about 10 hours. On the south side the approach can be shortened by a few hours starting from Lauchernalp, accessible by aerial tramway from Kippel.

There is no actual mountain called Lötschberg. The pass lies between the Balmhorn on the west and Hockenhorn on the east. The pass is not accessible for cars, but traffic goes through the Lötschberg Tunnel via railway.

References

• Swisstopo topographic maps

External links

Media related to Lötschberg at Wikimedia Commons

• Lötschenpass Hut
• List of Alpine passes in switzerland