Edelgrat
A technical scramble along the Edelgrat in the Jura — airy rock and ridge terrain on a scenic loop above the Mittelland.
Enjoyable scrambling on a Jura ridge
The Edelgrat is a surprisingly alpine climbing and scrambling ridge in the Solothurn Jura, high above the Mittelland. From Selzach you drive up to the Vögelisberg (as far as point 612) and climb to the start. The first pitch, at 5a, is the hardest; after that it eases off markedly, so you can move together on a long rope for much of it. The ridge itself is gorgeous, with a wide view to the Bernese Alps; the descent leads back over the lower Brüggli.
Tip: An ideal tour for spring and autumn, when the Alps are still too wintry. After the first pitch the rock is a real pleasure to climb when it’s dry.
How it went for me
After the stiff first pitch it was pure pleasure — enjoyable scrambling along a gorgeous ridge, with the Bernese Alps on the horizon. Exactly the right tour for a sunny April day when the big mountains are still deep in snow.