Chli Bielenhorn, Tiefenback circuit
A relatively easy, but nevertheless interesting, scenic and enjoyable tour. Chli Bielenhorn is a popular destination, and with good reason. Realp is easily accessible by road or train, and the summit is accessible as a one day tour. It can also be used as part of a multi day tour with overnight stops in either the SAC Albert Heim hütte or the more comfortable, but still very reasonable Tiefenbach hotel. The rock architecture and views from the summit are superb. It is not too difficult or dangerous, but at the same time challenging enough. Pick your time well and you will have the summit to yourself, pick it badly and you will certainly not be alone on top!
Get to Realp by road or by train. From here, skin up and head up the Furkapss towards either Tiefenbach or the Albert Heim hütte. For Tiefenbach, follow the Furka pass, short cutting the hairpin bends at the start whenever possible. 1 to 1.5 hours from Realp. For the Albert Heim hütte follow the pass as far as the small Galenstock collection of houses (point 1995) and then head right and in a north westerly direction to meet the track that comes from Tiefenbach. Continue contouring the mountain side, gradually turning northwards until you reach the small plateau just below the hut. About 3 hours from Realp.
If coming from Tiefenbach head up the Furkapass for a few hundred metres until a track goes off to the right. Take this and then immediately break out left to follow the line of the stream until you reach the small plateau, after about an hour, just below the Albert Heim hütte.
From the Albert Heim Hütte head left and in a westerly direction across the foot of the Tiefenbach glacier to the valley between Chli and Gross Bielenhorn. Head towards the two camels, gently at first and getting steeper near the top to emerge at Bielenlücke, with views over to the top of Furkapass. Turn left and head east to the summit and its beautiful rock formations. Either descend the same way, or more interesting descend over Bielenlücke to Siedelenhütte, and just before this descend directly to Furkapass. Follow Furkapass all the way past Tiefenbach (risk of avalanche onto the road here) to end up back in Realp.
Ski tours in this region:
Photos (click for full view)
