Gemmi Pass is a high mountain pass across the Bernese Alps connecting Leukerbad (on the south) in the canton of Valais with Kandersteg (on the north) in the canton of Bern. The pass itself lies within the canton of Valais, at a height of 2,269 metres (7,444ft) above sea level.[2] The main trail reaches 2,322 metres (7,618ft).
The pass lies between the Daubenhorn (2,942 metres (9,652ft)) in the west and the Plattenhörner in the east.
The pass is at the west end of the Aar Massif and at the east end of the Wildstrubel Massif. Near the pass is the Daubensee, which has no outlet above ground. The Gemmi Fault passes close to the pass.
The pass is described by Guy de Maupassant in his short-story L'Auberge.[3] The American writer Mark Twain also visited the pass in August 1878, and described it in a letter to his wife.[4]
Although the pass cannot be traversed by road, it is still directly accessible by cablecar from Leukerbad. Alternatively, the pass can be reached by a two-hour dramatic hike on foot.
It should take about two hours from Leukerbad to reach the pass area along this steep and winding hiking path.
From Kandersteg a cable car gives access to the Sunnbüel area (1,934 m), 10km north of the pass, allowing hikers to cross the pass on a wide and easy trail.
The trail over the Gemmi Pass is very popular with hikers both in summer and in winter.
