Alperschällihorn

Start at the end of the Safiental road, at the reservoir 'im Sand' about 1 km beyond the Berggasthaus Turrahus (the Turrahus bus stop is the nearest public transport). A marked path climbs past Piggamad and up the Höllgraba to the Alperschällilücke (2,614 m) in about 2 hours, T3; above a small lake at 2,454 m it is mostly pathless scree with waymarks. The north flank is two scree fields separated by a rock band. Traverse the lower field from the col until below a shallow scree gully that only becomes visible late; climb loose, coarse scree up it to a cairn at the start of the upper field (T4, 30 minutes). Climb the upper field to its top, then bear left up a broad, steep ramp into the east flank that narrows to ledges about 1 m wide and ends at a broad gully running up to the ridge, marked by a cairn (T4, 30 minutes). Climb the rocks on the right edge of this gully with great care: the rock is extremely brittle and this is the most demanding part (T5, 5–10 minutes). Follow the ridge, traversing the first hump on narrow scree ledges just below the crest on the west, then switch briefly to the east flank to the summit (T4, 10 minutes). The highest point, a tiny cairn with very little room, is gained on slightly exposed, brittle ground on the east side (T5). Apart from these last metres no climbing is needed; avoiding the worst scree on rock gives short grade I steps. Descend the same way. A popular variant starts from Sufers in the Rheinwald and climbs via the Steileralp to the Alperschällilücke or directly into the north-east flank, allowing a traverse to the Safiental with a return by bus from Turrahus.