Stage 4 of the Via Alpina covers 24.7 km from Elm to Linthal, with 1,570 m of ascent and 1,885 m of descent. The highest point is 2,237 m. Allow about 9 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Ortstockhaus Braunwald
Mountain inn (27 beds) above car-free Braunwald, about 1 km off the route of stage 5 (5 km after Linthal); open daily 13 June to 18 October 2026. A funicular links Linthal and Braunwald.
Hotel Restaurant Adler Linthal
Village hotel with restaurant (30 beds) in Linthal, about 500 m from the end of stage 4 at the station.
Small hotel with restaurant (17 beds) in Linthal, about 800 m from the station.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "listed, not confirmed" appear on an official listing (Swiss Parks, SchweizMobil) or have a website without current dates, so call before you go. Weisstannen, Urnerboden, Engstlenalp, Griesalp and L'Étivaz have only one or a few places to sleep: book ahead, especially for July and August. Most mountain inns close in the second half of October.
Emergency: call 144 (ambulance) or 1414 (Rega); 112 works from any phone. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.