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The Swiss Alps

ISBN

9781852844653

Availability

Published

25 Jan 2012

Reprinted

26 Mar 2021

Edition

First

Pages

464

Size

23.40 x 15.60 x 2.70cm

Weight

1070g

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A comprehensive guidebook to every mountain area in the Swiss Alps. This handy resource includes information for walking, hiking, trekking, climbing and ski mountaineering. Access, accommodation and facilities in the valley bases and full information about Swiss mountain huts is included to help you make the most out of a trip there.

Seasons

Information for the walker, trekker, climber and ski mountaineer to participate in their chosen activity in all seasons

Centres

Arolla, Engleberg, Grindelwald, Kandersteg, Klosters, Lauterbrunnen, Les Haudered, Leysin, Maggia, Meiringen, Mürren, Pontresina, Promontogno, Sass Fee, St Moritz, Sonogno, Vicosoprano, Wengen, Zermatt, Zernez

Difficulty

For outdoor enthusiasts of all standards. Climbing grades are quoted where applicable. Multi-day trekking routes are also outlined, suitable for the more experienced trekker

Must See

The Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Weisshorn, Dom, Finsteraarhorn, Schreckhorn and Westterhorn, Eiger, Mönch, Jungrau - all the major Swiss peaks, passes, valleys and centres.

ISBN

9781852844653

Availability

Published

25 Jan 2012

Reprinted

26 Mar 2021

Edition

First

Pages

464

Size

23.40 x 15.60 x 2.70cm

Weight

1070g

Overview

This comprehensive book is an excellent planning resource for those who wish to venture into the Swiss Alps. Whether you are planning a walk, scramble, climb or ski tour this larger format guide describes each mountain area throughout Switzerland - the peaks, passes, valleys and bases - to help readers identify the best destinations for their chosen mountain activity.

Dozens of individual valleys are described, together with the mountains that wall them, with recommendations given for their finest walks, treks and climbs. Working eastwards across the country, this guide is divided into seven chapters: Chablais Alps, Pennine Alp, Lepontine and Adula Alps, Bernina, Bregaglia and Albula Alps, Bernese Alps, Central Swiss Alps and the Silvretta and Ratikon Alps, each devoted to a specific range or group of connecting ranges.

However, this is not a route guide and detailed descriptions are not provided. The aim of the book is to inspire as well as inform; to show first-time visitors just what the Swiss Alps have to offer and provide a new perspective for those who have been before.

Table of Contents

Overview Map

Introduction

About this Book
The Mountain Ranges

Practicalities

When to Go
Weather
Getting There
Getting Around
Accommodation
Mountain Huts
Maps and Guidebooks
Health Considerations

The Mountains

Mountain Activities
Safety Dos and Don’ts
Mountain Rescue
Plant and Animal Life
Environmental Ethics
Information at a Glance

Chapter 1: Chablais Alps

1:1 Val de Morgins
1:2 Val d’Illiez
1:3 Vallon de Susanfe
1:4 Rhône Valley Approaches
1:5 Vallée du Trient
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

Chapter 2: Pennine Alps

2:1 Val Ferret
2:2 Val d’Entremont
2:3 Val de Bagnes
2:4 Val de Nendaz
2:5 Val d’Hérémence
2:6 Val d’Hérens
2:7 Val de Moiry
2:8 Val d’Anniviers
2:9 Turtmanntal
2:10 Mattertal
2:11 Saastal
2:12 Simplon Pass
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

Chapter 3: Lepontine and Adula Alps

3:1 Simplon Pass East
3:2 Binntal
3:3 Val Bedretto
3:4 Valle Leventina
3:5 Val Verzasca
3:6 Valle Maggia and its Tributaries
3:7 Valle di Blenio
3:8 Vals Calanca and Mesolcina
3:9 The Northern Valleys
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

Chapter 4: Bernina, Bregaglia and Albula Alps

4:1 Val Madris and the Averstal
4:2 Engadine Valley: Left Bank
4:3 Val Bregaglia
4:4 The Bernina Alps
4:5 The Swiss National Park
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

Chapter 5: Bernese Alps

5:1 Alpes Vaudoises
5:2 Les Diablerets to the Rawil Pass
5:3 The Wildstrubel Massif
5:4 Kandersteg and the Gemmipass
5:5 Blu?emlisalp and the Gasterntal
5:6 The Kiental
5:7 Lauterbrunnen Valley
5:8 Grindelwald and the Lu?tschental
5:9 Haslital and Grimsel Pass
5:10 The Southern Valleys
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

Chapter 6: Central Swiss Alps

6:1 Uri Alps: Dammastock Group
6:2 North of the Sustenpass: Titlis Group
6:3 Glarner Alps
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

Chapter 7: Silvretta and Rätikon Alps

7:1 Silvretta Alps: Lower Engadine
7:2 Silvretta Alps: Prättigau
7:3 Rätikon Alps
7:4 The Alpstein Massif
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

APPENDIX A Glossary of Alpine Terms
APPENDIX B Selective Bibliography
APPENDIX C Index of Maps
APPENDIX D The Swiss 4000m Peaks

Index

Maps

Swiss cartography is world class, with national survey maps published by the Federal Office of Topography (www.swisstopo.ch) covering the whole country with sheets of several different scales: 1:25,000, 1:50,000, 1:100,000 and 1:200,000.

The 1:50,000 series, which is perfectly adequate for the majority of walkers, mountaineers and ski tourers, includes a set of maps with major walking routes marked. These Wanderkarten are distinguished by the letter T given after the individual sheet number, while sheets marked with ski touring routes (Skitourenkarten) are distinguished by the letter S. National survey maps detailed at the end of each chapter in this book are listed with the prefix LS (Landeskarten der Schweiz).

The complete 1:25,000 series (more than 230 separate sheets) is also available on eight CD-ROM discs under the heading Swiss Map 25.

Independent publisher Ku?mmerly & Frey (www.swisstravelcenter.ch) also produces a series of maps for walkers at a scale of 1:60,000. As with LS maps, these Wanderkarten have major walking routes and mountain huts prominently marked, and the clearly defined contours and artistic use of shading produce an instant representation of ridge, spur and valley. Again, details of relevant sheets are given at the end of each chapter.

Ku?mmerly & Frey also has a limited series of 1:120,000 sheets which provide a useful overview of regions such as Graubu?nden, Valais (Wallis) and the Bernese Oberland, and a separate sheet (Wanderland) at 1:301,000 showing all the main long-distance walking routes in Switzerland, with a comprehensive index on the reverse.

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By Kev Reynolds

Kev Reynolds was a freelance writer, photojournalist and lecturer. A prolific compiler of guidebooks, his first title for Cicerone Press (Walks & Climbs in the Pyrenees) appeared in 1978; he later produced many more titles for the same publisher. A member of the Outdoor Writers' Guild, the Alpine Club and Austrian Alpine Club, his passion for mountains and the countryside inspired a lifetime's activity, and he regularly travelled throughout Britain to share that enthusiasm through his lectures. Sadly, Kev passed away in 2021. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him and by many more he inspired through his writing and talks.

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