“Nasenlöcher” at the Bietsch Valley
The “Nasenlöcher” at the Bietsch Valley is a place where myth and reality meet.
According to the legend, there was once a time where there wasn’t enough water for the meadows and fields above Ausserberg. It came to a dispute between the members of the alp community. A deadly conflict took place between the two brothers, that were responsible to keep the water of the Alps Raaft and Leiggern. After the murder of the brother, the spring went completely dry. On the steep left side of the valley, however, from then on the water came out of a rock that looked like nostrils. Once again, the alp community tried to block the holes with wooden bars to staunch the water back to its original orbits. Unfortunately, they underestimated the power of the water and their wooden block collapsed shortly after.
Although the saga was told over centuries, the 80m long cave that leads to a lake with carved drains was rediscovered in 1938. Then people were wondering if this legend still provides tangible proof. The naming “Nasulecher” which means nostrils fitted wonderfully with the appearance of the cave and is even enriched by its exit tunnel that is called earhole!
At the beginning of the nineties, the mountain guides of Ausserberg secured the approach to the nostrils with bolts and chains. Nevertheless, this approach, although climbing is technically simple, is quite exposed.
Access: From the Wiwannihut you climb over the narrow path on the slopes of the Augstkummenhorn to the forest line at Arbol. From here you continue along the ridge on tracks to the “Trosibodu”. From “Trosibodu” (1764 m, coordinates 630050 / 130900 ) you descend on trails through an impressively unspoilt natural forest in the direction of Bietsch valley. The path becomes increasingly wilder and more exposed. (ropes recommended)
After a 40 m long chain, you traverse ditches and slab walls. For safeguarding, there are bolts now and then follow them and the blue trail marks. You’ll reach the holes by first bypassing them on the mountainside (tracks). Then you’ll get to the entrance of the left nostril. Equipped with flashlights you enter the initially narrow cave. Further within the cave, it gets more spacious. The thrilling sound of flowing water may scare some. But as soon as you reach to the back, you get to an incredibly beautiful a small lake, called the brain of the cave. Here you will find the wooden blocks and the carved drains. Through the other tunnel called the ear, you finally leave the cave to the outside world.
Descent into the Bietsch Valley:
First, you follow some track traces through the wild terrain 20 m parallel to the stream about 150 meters, then keep right through the forest along trail traces over some steep slopes that are secured with chains. From there you descend to the bridge over the Bietsch stream (about 1 hour). Continue on the path in the valley to the trail to Ausserberg (1.5 hours). Overall it’s a very nice day trip in an impressive landscape.
Additional information: Get in touch with Wiwannihut or Alpine School Bietschhorn Ausserberg
Equipment: Rope 30 m, flashlight and carabiners for temporary safeguarding are recommended
National Map: 1: 25,000 Raron No 1288
Time: Wiwannihut to Trosiboden 1.5 hours; Trosiboden to “Nasenlöcher” 1 hour. Passing through the cave takes about 1 hour. Descent to the Bietsch Valley and Ausserberg takes about 2.5 hours. A total of 6 hours for the whole tour.
