Mälchberg

Nicole with Maiyun & Anyuk (from 14.07.19):

We park directly at the Glattalpbahn in Sahli at 1138 m above sea level. For our planned hike we will not use the Glattalpbahn but walk. Our destination is Glattalp - the coldest uninhabited place in Switzerland at only 1800 m above sea level. The lowest temperature was measured in 1991 with -52.5° and snowfall of 3-4 m is not uncommon.

As an alternative to the ascent on foot, you can also use the cable car and then take the circular hike Glattalp (1800 m above sea level) in the direction of Mälchbärg - Charetalp (1862 m above sea level) - Pfaff (2109 m above sea level) - Glattalp (1800 m above sea level). At weekends + holidays longer waiting times at the railway are possible.

We follow the road we came from for about 500 m and then cross the dam wall at the reservoir. Here we follow the gravel road until the hiking trail turns right and climbs steeply up the meadow. Here we are greeted by some curious cattle which, thank God, are standing behind a fence, which we bypass generously. Arrived at the Feldmoos (1335 m above sea level) you can enjoy the great view which gets better and better in the direction of Mälchbärg (1848 m above sea level).

So from Feldmoos we follow the blue and white marked hiking trail towards Mälchbärg (Attention; T4-Alpinwandern). The trail is very easy to walk on, there are a few larger steps and exposed areas, but for me (not free from giddiness) they are no problem. On the way you often meet some goats in summer - best not to pay attention, don't take off your rucksack and don't stroke them otherwise they will follow you...

Arrived at the Kreuz (1848 m above sea level) we take a short break, take pictures and enjoy the panorama. The dogs enjoy the snowfield and roll around.

We keep to the left of the hiking trail (on the right it leads back towards Glattalp) and enjoy the beautiful view over the ground with a view of the Pfannenstock (2573 m above sea level), Grisset (2721 m above sea level), Bös Fulen (2801 m above sea level) as well as the Chilchberge. On arrival at Charetalp we stop at Romy's and Alfons' place and enjoy a coffee. Up to this point, there are smaller ascents and descents, following a beautiful karst landscape and crossing marshy sections.

The next and last ascent now follows; we are missing 247 meters of altitude difference until Pfaff. From up here you have a wonderful view back and towards Glattalp (1800 m above sea level), Glattalpsee (1855 m above sea level), Höch Turm (2666 m above sea level), Ortstock (2717 m above sea level) and Mären (2323 m above sea level). From here there are quite a lot of marmots and it is recommended to keep the dogs on a leash. Hungry we head for the SAC Glattalphütte (www.glattalphuette.ch) after the descent to strengthen ourselves with a fine cheese slice. (Attention; due to reconstruction works the SAC hut will probably be closed in 2020 - as an alternative the mountain inn Glattalp (www.berggasthaus-glattalp.ch) is located nearby).

Freshly fortified, we decide to do without the cable car and walk towards Sahli. Here, too, we are spoiled with a magnificent view and landscape.
Halfway up the mountain we meet the "Märä Brunnen" - waterfall - from where we should definitely try a sip of water.

Good to know:

• Train runs from the end of May - October
• May / June still quite a lot of snow possible