Gummfluh
2,458 m
Switzerland
Also known as Гумфлух, გუმფლუAlso known as
Гумфлух · გუმფლუ
- Elevation
- 2,458 m
- Prominence
- 575 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: T4+ (hikr.org 2011 report (ramp T4+/I), seen in search results) · T4-T5 (hikr.org September 2023 report, seen in search results) · II (edwinwandert.com 2015 (direct variant at the crux))
The usual way up the limestone fortress above Château-d'Oex: from L'Etivaz on marked paths to the Col de Jable (1,884 m) and across the Höje Stand, then on an unmarked but well-trodden trail beneath the south faces of the Pointes de Sur Combe and Gummfluh to a short, slightly exposed ledge that leads to the east shoulder and the summit cross. About 1,400 m of ascent.
About 73% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 6 check notes
- 72% approximate geometry
- ascent 1707 m vs net gain 1235 m (+38%)
- L'Etivaz → Col de Jable: dem (detour, 5.3 km)
- Col de Jable → Höje Stand: dem (snap_failed, 0.6 km)
- Höje Stand → Gummfluh: bridge (snap_failed; one off-graph gap, 2.8 km)
- unresolved waypoints: Junction near point 1952, South-face ledge, Gummfluh east shoulder
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 8.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,707 m
- −472 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,458 m
- Time Up
- 7h 43m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 6h 04m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From L'Etivaz (1,140 m) follow the signed path east up to the Col de Jable (1,884 m) on the Vaud–Bern border. From the col take the path that traverses the Höje Stand towards Sunnig Gumm; shortly before point 1,952 an unsigned trail branches left (north-west) at a red-and-white post. It climbs a grassy crest and then scree, rising steadily beneath the south walls of the Pointes de Sur Combe and the Gummfluh, with clear traces and cairns. Grass gives way to scree near the foot of the south face, where sure-footedness and balance are needed. Where the path ends, turn sharp right (cairn) into a rising ramp and onto a narrow ledge below an overhang. This is the only real difficulty (T4+/I, slightly exposed); a more direct line on good rock to its right is about II. The ledge leads to the shoulder on the summit ridge, and the summit cross is about 150 m to the left over moderately steep broken ground, either directly up a small couloir or more easily round to the left. Descend the same way, taking care again at the ledge. From the Gstaad side the path from the Gummalp (about 1,800 m, reached by a narrow road through the Meielsgrund) joins at the Col de Jable or via the south-flank path towards the Trittlisattel, cutting the ascent to about 700 m. The round trip from L'Etivaz is about 17–18 km and 7–7½ hours.
Start
L'Etivaz1,223 m
- PostBus on the Château-d'Oex–Col des Mosses road to L'Etivaz (check the timetable).
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L'Etivaz → Gummfluh | 8.7 | 1,707 | 472 | 7h 43m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: L'Etivaz1,223 m
- Col: Col de Jable1,886 m
- Feature: Höje Stand2,058 m
The path traverses its flank
- Summit: Gummfluh2,458 m
Key Passages
- Unmarked trail beneath the south walls of the Pointes de Sur Combe
- Rising ramp and narrow ledge below an overhang to the summit ridge (T4+/I)
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 54%Overview
A steep limestone peak (2,458 m) on the Vaud–Bern border between Château-d'Oex and Gstaad, the highest of the chain south of the Pays-d'Enhaut. The normal route from L'Etivaz is a long T4 mountain walk ending with a short, slightly exposed ledge through the summit walls.
The Gummfluh stands roughly midway between Château-d'Oex and Gstaad, on the boundary between the cantons of Vaud and Bern. It is the highest summit in the line of jagged limestone peaks, sometimes called the Gstaad Dolomites, that closes the Pays-d'Enhaut to the south; its key col is the Col de Jable (1,884 m), which links L'Etivaz with the Gummalp and Gstaad. Its northern flanks drop into La Pierreuse, the largest nature reserve in western Switzerland, home to ibex, chamois, marmots and golden eagles.
The north face gives a TD mixed climb. The south side is gentler: alp pastures lead to the Col de Jable, and a trodden trail beneath the south walls reaches a narrow ledge that breaks through to the summit ridge. The difficulties are short but need sure feet and some scrambling, and the summit cross gives a view from the Bernese Oberland to the Diablerets, Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva.
Harder alternatives include the east ridge from the Trittlisattel and the north side from the Videmanette lift above Rougemont (T5–T6), and in winter ski tours up the Chenau Rouge and the south side.
Climbing Notes
Expect a long day: about 1,400 m of ascent and 17–18 km for the round trip from L'Etivaz (7–7½ hours), or about 700 m from the Gummalp on the Gstaad side. The route is marked to the Col de Jable and unmarked but well trodden above; cairns help. Sure-footedness on scree and broken rock and a head for one short exposed ledge (T4+/I) are needed, and a helmet is sensible. Go only when dry and free of snow, normally from late June or July to October. Dogs are not allowed in the Pro Natura reserve of La Pierreuse on the north side, and the federal hunting reserve rules apply around the mountain.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Not advisable
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Ski tour from L'Etivaz or the Comborsin valley for experienced ski-tourers
- Feb
- Ski tours; avalanche terrain
- Mar
- Spring ski tours
- Apr
- Spring snow; avalanche risk
- May
- Snowmelt
- Jun
- Old snow below the south face early in the month
- Jul
- Afternoon thunderstorms
- Oct
- Short days; ice on the ledge after early snowfalls
Access & Permits
- Rules
- La Pierreuse nature reserve (Pro Natura Vaud) on the north side: dogs not allowed, no wild camping, mountain bikes forbidden
- Federal hunting reserve (district franc fédéral) Pierreuse–Gummfluh: dogs on a lead, no camping, no drones, do not disturb wildlife
- Getting There
Château-d'Oex; Gstaad
Geneva (GVA); Bern (BRN)
- L'Etivaz is on the Château-d'Oex–Col des Mosses road, served by PostBus; Château-d'Oex is on the MOB railway (Montreux–Zweisimmen)
- From Gstaad a narrow road through the Meielsgrund leads to the Gummalp (about 1,800 m)
- Rougemont–Videmanette gondola for the harder northern routes
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather
- Avalanche