Via GeoAlpina
ViaGeoAlpina is an international project that aims to sensitise tourists and hikers to the history of the formation of the Alps.

Development of the geological heritage of the Alps
The International Union for Geological Sciences (IUGS) and UNESCO initiated the «Via GeoAlpina» project in the context of the International Year for the Planet Earth (IYPE), which was announced by the United Nations in 2007. Various organisations from six alpine countries (Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland) are associated with the project (www.viageoalpina.eu). Switzerland's participation is handled via the Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo) and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT).
The Via GeoAlpina project is being implemented alongside the Via Alpina. This is an itinerary crossing all the countries of the Alpine chain from Trieste to Monaco via footpaths (www.via-alpina.org), taking people to some of the most prestigious places of natural and cultural beauty.
For the first time, the Via GeoAlpina project brings a scientific perspective to the Via Alpina initiative. It seeks to develop and disseminate knowledge of the earth sciences such as geology, geomorphology, hydrology, natural hazards and the uses of stone. As they walk along a marked footpath, tourists and hikers of all ages are informed about the history of the formation of the Alps and the secrets of our planet.
Publications
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Mini-map «Alpi Ticinesi»
Greatly simplified geological overview map of Via GeoAlpina for the stretch Personico – Cavergno
PDF, 2 page(s), 9 MB, Italian
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Mini-map «Berner Oberland»
Greatly simplified geological overview map of Via GeoAlpina for the 92-km stretch Rosenlaui – Adelboden
PDF, 2 page(s), 6 MB, German
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Mini-map «Morcles-Decke»
Greatly simplified geological overview map of Via GeoAlpina for the 65-km stretch Col de Cou – Derborence
PDF, 2 page(s), 11 MB, German
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Mini-map «Die Glarner Hauptüberschiebung»
Greatly simplified geological overview map of Via GeoAlpina for the 44-km stretch Weisstannen – Linthal
PDF, 2 page(s), 12 MB, German
Documents
Sections
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Spiegazioni Alpi Ticinesi
Inquadramento geologico
PDF, 8 page(s), 1 MB, Italian -
Tappa 1 Personico - Frasco
Dal Passo di Gagnone
PDF, 14 page(s), 3 MB, Italian -
Tappa 2 Sonogno - Prato-Sornico
Dal Passo di Redorta
PDF, 13 page(s), 3 MB, Italian -
Tappa 3 Prato-Sornico - Fontana
PDF, 13 page(s), 3 MB, Italian
Sections
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Etappe 1 Rosenlaui-Grindelwald
Über die Passhöhe der Grossen Scheidegg: Eine Wanderung entlang der Überschiebung der Helvetischen Decken
PDF, 12 page(s), 2 MB, German -
Etappe 2 Grindelwald-Lauterbrunnen
Über die Passhöhe der Kleinen Scheidegg: Eiger und Aarmassiv – Geologie hautnah
PDF, 14 page(s), 3 MB, German -
Etappe 3 Mürren-Griesalp
Über die Passhöhe der Sefinafurgga: Die Doldenhorn-Decke
PDF, 12 page(s), 2 MB, German -
Etappe 4 Griesalp-Kandersteg
Über den Hohtürli-Pass: Die Deckenstirn der Doldenhorn-Decke
PDF, 14 page(s), 3 MB, German -
Etappe 5 Kandersteg Adelboden
Über den Bunderchrindepass: Die Querung der Wildhorn-Decke
PDF, 14 page(s), 3 MB, German
Documents
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Einführung
Region Meiringen–Kandersteg: Faszination Geologie in 5 Etappen
PDF, 4 page(s), 189 KB, German -
Geologische Fachbegriffe
Einige Zusatzinformationen
PDF, 3 page(s), 167 KB, German -
Eine lange Geschichte ...
PDF, 2 page(s), 599 KB, German
Trails
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Trails (XOL, GPX, KML)
ZIP, 80 KB
Sections
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1-2a-2b Col de Cou bis Col de Susanfe
Dents Blanches–Dents du Midi: Die Gesteine erzählen eine verkehrte Geschichte
PDF, 10 page(s), 3 MB, German -
3 Col de Susanfe bis Van d'en Haut
Lac de Salanfe: Zwischen einer ehemaligen Gebirgskette und dem Tethysmeer
PDF, 10 page(s), 1 MB, German -
4-5 Dorenaz bis Champex d'Alesse
Gesteine als Zeugen sehr alter Gebirgsketten. Quer durch einen tropischen Regenwald und eine Schwemmlandebene des Paläozoikums
PDF, 10 page(s), 4 MB, German -
6 Champex d'Alesse bis Cabane Demècre
Le Portail de Fully Eine überhitzte Lagune des Mesozoikums
PDF, 10 page(s), 2 MB, German -
7-8 Cabane Demècre Pont de Nant
Dent de Morcles und Les Martinets Zuerst Meer, danach Faltengebirge – und heute bereits wieder am Zerfallen!
PDF, 10 page(s), 3 MB, German -
9 Pont de Nant bis Anzeindaz
Das La Vare Tal: Im Herzen der Argentine Falten
PDF, 10 page(s), 3 MB, German
Documents
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Eine lange Geschichte ...
... bewahrt in den Gesteinen, Formen und Strukturen
PDF, 2 page(s), 759 KB -
Geologische Fachbegriffe
Einige Zusatzinformationen
PDF, 4 page(s), 388 KB, German
Trails
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Trails (XOL, KML)
Trail Salanfe Dent de Morcles
ZIP, 10 KB
Sections
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Section 1 Weisstannen - Elm
Crossing the Foopass
PDF, 17 page(s), 6 MB, English -
Section 2 Elm - Linthal
Crossing the Richetlipass
PDF, 12 page(s), 4 MB, English
Documents
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Geological terms
Some additional explanations
PDF, 3 page(s), 327 KB, English -
History of research
Geological research in the area
PDF, 1 page(s), 134 KB, English -
Geological history
Geological history of the area
PDF, 1 page(s), 132 KB, English
Trails
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Trails (XOL, GPX, KML)
ZIP, 26 KB