The rocks of the Prealps generally slope down to the south. This means that the southern sides of the Prealps’ peaks are mostly gentle or moderately sloping pastureland. As a result, climbing these peaks is relatively easy. The northern sides, on the other hand, often have steep cliffs and there are few easy routes.
The Gantrisch Massif is no exception. The Gantrisch and the neighbouring peaks of the Bürgle and the Ochse can be climbed on the southern sides along marked trails. The Bürgle is the only one of these peaks that has a path mentioned on the map on its northern side, although it is not mark-signed on the ground. This is the trail we wanted to take a closer look at.
We took the public transport to the Untere Gantrischhütte. It was already hot early in the morning, so we suffered from the heat as we climbed from the Birehütte to the small pass near the Birehubel. From this pass, you can follow the trail that is marked on the map. The trail is marked by passages in the fence. This way, it is easy to find the beginning of the trail.
The climb along the ridge is steep in places, but it is not particularly exposed. There are a few small passages that require attention, but they are not particularly difficult. At the top, there are a few bunkers from the last war. The concrete looks as if it was not very strong. It is worth mentioning that the concrete was made on site with the available means. This is a big challenge at these altitudes.
We descended via the Morgetepass and the Morgete Alp and then followed the dirt road. One place is particularly worth a visit: the bend from which you can see the Faal waterfall. Luckily, you can avoid a stretch of the road by taking the marked trail via Schönebode, because if you follow the road, you will get covered in dust every time a vehicle passes by.
After a climb along the road, you reach the pedestrian suspension bridge that leads to the other side of the Morgetebach and down into the valley, via a series of stairs. You soon reach the former Weissenburg baths. They were supplied by a spring that is located a little further upstream along the Buuschebach. You can taste the water from this spring in a small shelter near the Weissenburg train station. This water was bottled until the end of the 1980s.
Route: Untere Gantrischütte – Birehütte – Bürglegrat – Brürgle – Morgetepass – Morgete – Schönebode – Weissenburgbad
Distance: 12.5km
Elevation gain: 750m
Duration: 5h30
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