Gemmi Pass Hike from Leukerbad: Daubensee Loop + Thermal Baths (2026)
| Distance | 4.0 mi (6.5 km) loop |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 260 ft (80 m) |
| Time | 1.5–2 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best months | Late June to October |
| Start | Gemmi Pass cable car top station (2,350 m) |
| Cable car / train needed? | Yes — Gemmibahn cable car from Leukerbad. Fit hikers can walk down the cliff path instead (about 2 hours, steep). |
| Getting there | Train to Leuk (about 2.5 h from Zurich via Visp), then bus to Leukerbad (30 min). |
Leukerbad is the hike & soak capital of Switzerland. The village sits at 1,411 m below a vertical wall of rock, and millions of liters of hot spring water flow out of the ground every day. Above the cliff sits a completely different world: the high plateau of the Gemmi Pass.
The route
From Leukerbad, the Gemmibahn cable car climbs nearly 950 m up the cliff in about six minutes. At the top, walk to the shore of Daubensee and loop around the lake (about 1.5–2 hours, nearly flat). Detour to the historic Schwarenbach inn for lunch if you have time.
Fit hikers: walk back down to Leukerbad on the zigzag cliff path instead of riding the cable car.
Then soak
- Leukerbad Therme — the big public baths, with outdoor pools facing the cliffs you just stood on.
- Walliser Alpentherme & Spa — pools plus a Roman-Irish bath circuit.
- Les Sources des Alpes — small luxury hotel with its own thermal pool, for a full hike & soak weekend.
More options on the Switzerland thermal baths guide.
♨ Soak after: where to stay
The point of this site: finish the trail in warm water. These are the closest spa hotels and thermal baths to the Gemmi Pass & Daubensee, Leukerbad.
Leukerbad Therme
Leukerbad · Valais
Public thermal baths in the largest thermal resort in the Alps, with outdoor pools facing the Gemmi cliffs.
Walliser Alpentherme & Spa
Leukerbad · Valais
Indoor/outdoor thermal pools plus a Roman-Irish bath circuit.
Les Sources des Alpes
Leukerbad · Valais
Small luxury hotel with its own thermal pool fed by Leukerbad's springs.
Check rates & availability →FAQ
How hot is the water in Leukerbad?
Leukerbad's springs emerge at up to 51°C; the public pools are cooled to a comfortable 34–40°C.
Can you hike from Leukerbad to Kandersteg?
Yes. The Gemmi Pass is an ancient crossing between Valais and the Bernese Oberland. From the pass it's about 4–5 hours to Kandersteg via Schwarenbach, and you can link it with Oeschinensee.
Is Leukerbad worth it?
If you love thermal baths, absolutely: it's the largest thermal bath resort in the Alps, surrounded by vertical cliffs. It's less famous internationally than Zermatt, so it's quieter.
Is the Gemmi cliff path dangerous?
It's a well-built zigzag path carved into the cliff with railings in the exposed parts. Steep and long but not technical.