Jöriseen: Camping on top of the World
- Amanda Michel
- Jan 4, 2024
- 4 min read
For our first "wild camping" night (meaning real tent camping as opposed to our beloved rooftop tent), we picked the Jöriseen....and it did not disappoint. The Jöriseen is an epic 12km loop trail that takes you to multiple lakes with breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. If you ever want to feel like you're sleeping on top of the world, this is your place to go.
Watch the reel:
Useful info:
Start of the hike: at the parking lot next to Wägerhus
Access: by car from Davos: you can follow the signs to the Flüelapass until the small parking lot on the side of the road at Wägerhus (10 min). By public transport: you can take the train to Davos and then the bus to Wägerhus/Abzw. Jöriseen bus stop.
Duration: the full hike is 12.75km (11km if you don’t summit Jorihorn) which takes about 5-6h
Where to stay: Pitch your tent
The full story:
After a summer of camping on top of the car in our beloved rooftop tent, Toni hinted that he wanted to go "wild camping" (or "real camping" as I call it), which meant that we would be hiking up a mountain, carrying all our gear and pitching our tent in the middle of nowhere. I felt slightly nervous as I packed my bag that morning; I've camped many times (in the desert), but I have actually never camped in a remote place, on top of a mountain. As I painfully struggle to close my very full backpack, the nervousness gives way to the excitement: it's Adventure time again!
As we pull up to the parking place at Wägerhus in the late afternoon, we are relieved to see that there aren't so many cars parked and we also notice that many hikers are coming down the trail; this is a good sign for a quiet night. We lace up our hiking shoes and off we go.
The climb from the Wägerhus (2207 m) to the Winterlücke (2785 m) requires a good level of fitness; it's not the steepest hike we've ever done, but the weight of the backpacks definitely added to the challenge. Luckily, with each step forward, we were rewarded with glimpses of extraordinary landscapes and a renewed sense of adventure. While we made sure to not rush our climb, we also wanted to reach the summit in time for sunset, so we minimized breaks and kept our pace. Arriving at the Winterlücke, we were relieved to see that the next part of the trail would take us down towards a small lake (not the Jöriseen). Arriving at the small lake, we decide that we actually want to spend the night here, as opposed to going all the way down to the Jöriseen. Toni starts scouting for a flat surface for us to pitch the tent and we settle in a small area at the top of a hill, with breathtaking views of (this time) the Jöriseen.
We quickly start setting up camp: pitching the tent, blowing up the mattresses, pulling out our sleeping bags; it's getting dark quickly, so we hurry up to make sure we don't get cold. We as finish setting up, Toni calls me out of the tent and we get treated to one of the most amazing sunset I have ever seen. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of red and gold, I couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of simplicity and the joy of being present in the moment. I think we both felt a sense of harmony and connection with nature (and with each other). After this amazing spectacle, we were ready to have our meals, a warm cup of tea and tuck ourselves into our sleeping bags, ready for the night.
As I recount our adventure at Jöriseen, I hope to ignite a spark of excitement and adventure within you. Let the beauty of nature drive you to explore, to venture into the unknown, and to embrace the wonders that await. I hope it serves as a reminder to you (and myself) that the world is full of extraordinary places waiting to be discovered.
Pro-tip:
Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to explore Jöriseen is during the summer months until early fall, before the first snow arrives
Essential Gear for the Hike: Be prepared with warm clothes suitable for high altitudes, sturdy hiking boots, and all the necessary camping equipment. Make sure to pack a set of clothes to change into dry outfit after the climb. The surest way to feel cold is to remain wet. Our most beloved purchase for that trip was a pair of Exped (not sponsored) camping slippers that we can wear inside and outside of the tent. Make sure to pack enough water, as you won't find any on the trail and you'll be thirsty after the steep hike.
Respect nature: follow the "Leave No Trace principles", preserve the beauty of the Jöriseen by leaving only footprints and taking only memories
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