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Today you cross the Rhine / Rhône divide: henceforth any streams and rivers you see will be -- like you -- heading for the Mediterranean.

You have come to the end of the long east-west axis of the high Alps. They curve away here to the south on their great sweep towards Monaco, but the H2H will continue west for a couple more days to visit Montreux and see Lac Léman before it too turns south and rejoins them.

The changes noted in the previous stage continue, as you enter a country of jumbled ridges and confused valleys, but you have one more dramatic mountain vista to enjoy this afternoon: the 3000+m range of Les Diablerets across the wide valley to your south.

And as the names indicate, this is also the end of the German-speaking lands – orderly, well-kept, consistent, and predictable. From now on you will be in French-speaking territory – a much more varied region, like the people themselves capable of greater beauty, grace, and sophistication, but also at times of shabbiness, crass contrasts, and disorder. The Franco-German divide is less marked in Switzerland... but it is still there.

Route
From Gsteig head northwest, initially on a small road, then on a trail via Schopfi (1502m) and Topfelsberg (1814m) to the Blattipass (1919m). After this, you'll be checking your map frequently as you twist and turn your way along various trails through Seeberg (1712m), Chalet Vieux, Col des Anderets (2030m), Arpille (2000m), Marnex (1734m), La Dix (1741m), and Chersaule (1655m) before, finally, arriving at Col de Mosses.

Alternatives: none really. If the weather is bad, consider taking a day off.
Maps: ST-263T Wildstrubel, ST-262T Rochers de Naye.

Journal
The House to House blog... stage 38.

Photos
<A couple of representative photos from this stage will be added here after the hike>
In the meantime, click here to go to all of the H2H photos on Flickr.

GPS Track
<To be added during or after hike>

Room and Board Options
Lunch: you might be able to have a picnic lunch at Chalet Vieux, but some souces say it is derelict. Best thing to do is to take along a couple of picnic lunches, and if you only eat one because you can eat at Chalet Vieux, no great harm done. Either way, before you leave Gsteig make sure that you have enough food with you for a picnic lunch during the next stage to Sonchaux.
Dinner and overnight: there are several places to stay and eat at Col des Mosses (for a complete list, see here.

Getting There and Back
Gsteig: there is a railway station at Gstaad, from which very infrequent buses will take you to Gsteig (for schedule information for both buses and trains, see the SBB).
Col des Mosses: there is a very infrequent bus connection to Chateau d'Oex, where there is a railway station.
ViaMichelin Road Map and Driving Directions: centered on Gsteig, centered on Col des Mosses.

Background Information and Links
Many and various...

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