Hike over the Marwees in the Alpstein
30.11.2017
Translation: machine translated
The path over the Marwees is a spectacular ridge hike with fantastic views. The partly exposed path requires a head for heights, but rewards you with a breathtaking view and is, in my opinion, one of the classic hikes in the Alpstein that every Swiss should have done at least once. The summit of the Marwees is one of the few Alpstein mountains to which there is no cable car.
Facts about the hike:
- Total time required: 6-7 hours
- Ascent and descent: approx. 1200 metres in altitude
- Distance: 12 km
From Wasserauen to the Bogartenlücke
The starting point for the hike is the car park in Wasserauen. From here, follow the well-signposted hiking trail in the direction of Bogartenlücke. At first, the route is relatively easy up through a wooded area. Once you leave the forest, you will see the striking Bogartenlücke at the top. This can hardly be missed.
The path now zigzags steeply upwards. The landmark is a striking rock cone, the Bogartenmannli. The question of the day is of course: can you climb up this rock?
Surprise: you can! There is even a safety rope. We didn't quite trust the rope on the ascent, but it turned out to be very well anchored at the top.
At the top, there is a dizzying all-round view. Unfortunately, it's a bit cloudy today. Normally, instead of the haze on the horizon, you can see as far as Lake Constance.
The descent is then easy, at least if you trust the rope and use it to lower yourself down. And wear good, non-slip footwear.
From the Bogartenlücke to the Marwees
After our short climb, we leave the Bogartenlücke behind us. The hiking trail signposts await us in an almost kitschy flower bed. At the next fork in the path, the markings change from red and white to blue and white. The path becomes more difficult and therefore more interesting. The builders of a house directly on the edge above the abyss certainly don't seem to have minded.
With a few steep turns, the route leads directly upwards to the key section of the tour. After a few hairpin bends, you cross the steep slope on a very exposed path. Extreme caution is required here, especially in damp or snowy conditions - a fall would be fatal! Especially in spring or in cold late autumn, there is a snowfield here that can only be crossed with extreme caution.
After the crossing has been negotiated, a short turn to the left takes you up onto the actual ridge path. You can now recognise the summit cross on the eastern summit of the Marwees in the distance.
Dizzying tightrope walk
We continue the ridge crossing over the ridge of the Marwees. Steep grassy terrain falls to the left and right of the path, from here onwards a head for heights is required
For sure-footed hikers, this is a real treat with fantastic views of Seealpsee, Ebenalp and Gasthaus Äscher to the north. To the south, Lake Fälensee and Widderalp can be seen a few hundred metres further down on the valley floor. We cross the Marwees ridge towards the main summit. Here, at 2056 metres, is the highest and most panoramic point of this hike, albeit without a summit cross. The path there is unmarked but relatively easy to find: always follow the course of the ridge.
Dark fronts on the horizon
After the weather has held up reasonably well so far, a dark cloud front appears on the horizon.
We only take a brief look towards Säntis, because now it's time to step on the gas. In the rain and wet, the path over the Marwees becomes dangerously slippery, which is why we are happy to leave the mountain to the ibexes.
We continue along the path, slowly but surely descending again. On the way, we come across a colony of ibex watching us curiously. It's quite something to get so close to these elegant animals. It is fascinating to watch the young ibex playfully climbing over the rocks. Many a mountaineer would probably be happy to be able to march so gallantly and safely over rugged terrain.
We could watch here for hours, but gathering storm clouds drive us on towards the valley.
Rain slowly starts to fall, so we have to hurry. We follow the path towards Meglisalp, but turn off above the picturesque alpine settlement. If the weather is nice, it's worth stopping off here.
On a picturesque high-level path, there are once again beautiful views down towards Seealpsee. After Gross- and Klein-Hütten, our circular hike comes full circle and we arrive back at the car park in Wasserauen.
Already as a child I spent every free day in nature and roamed through the woods. In the meantime I have grown up, but the love for nature has remained. On my blog OUTCOZO I write about everything that has to do with outdoors and I want to share my adventures with the readers. From glacier tours to freeride descents, from mountain bivouacs to equipment testing, everything is included. The main thing is "Outside the couch zone". <br><br>
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