Kandersteg to Adelboden via Bunderchrinde

Stage 13 of the Via Alpina (Swiss Path) is characterized by a strenuous but scenic traverse of the Bunderchrinde pass (2,385m). Connecting the Kander valley with the Engstligen valley, this hike features a dramatic sharp-edged pass that resembles a notch cut out of the mountain. The terrain is a mix of lush alpine pastures, steep larch forests, and a final, technical section of unstable limestone scree that requires steady footing and a head for heights.

Rising sharply from the Seefeld plateau, the Seefelder Spitze (2,221m) is a classic peak in the Karwendel Alps. The trail from the Rosshütte cable car station follows a sustained ridge-line connecting the Seefelder Joch with the summit. The terrain is typical Karwendel: brittle limestone, narrow ridges, and significant vertical drops into the surrounding range. While the lift provides a useful head-start, the hike itself demands surefootedness and good aerobic fitness, and rewards those who complete it with a panorama spanning from the Zugspitze to the main alpine ridge.