Thanks to Lou Stone for this update to the off-route variant on Stage 5 Urnerboden–Klausenpass–Altdorf. The variant starts on P80, and is not part of the waymarked VA1 route.
The alternative descent from Äsch to Spirigen and ultimately Altdorf is no longer passable. The route is fine on waymarked paths as far as Unterschächen but the forest/riverside track after Unterschächen is closed. If you want to take this Âsch descent, either take paths from Unterschächen up to Urigen or a bus into Altdorf.
If wet, please note that the descent path to Äsch is steep, and the waymarked Via Alpina route is probably safest.
Please note the following changes to information given in the latest (2017) edition:
p56: Hotel Gemse in Weisstannen is no longer closed on Thursdays – but Tues & Weds instead
p84: Please remove website for Hotel Birchweid from Altdorf accommodation list
p104: Tourist information for Meiringen is now found via www.region-haslital.ch
Many thanks to author Gillian Price for these comments from their September 2017 walk through the central part of the APR.
As promised, here are my update notes for the APR route Altsdorf-Kendersteg stretch that I did in August.
Stage 6: an alternate descent is feasible (we didn't do it but others did) from the junction above Stabele p91 at the bridge. Take R fork (says 1hr 10) for Furenalp then cablecar down. NB A bus runs from the lower Furenalp station (very handy for the main route!) into Engelberg.
Stage 8: p101 and start p102. If you're on the ridge (via Balmeregghorn) you detour the junction mentioned with the blue route so suggest remove as it could be confusing.
Stage 9: p114 margin comment about path closure - still closed.
Stage 11: p134 line 2 - ... after about 400m uphill, the Via Alpina leaves the tarmac as a path into the woods, contouring. It crosses the Schiltbach to Pension Spielbodenalp. (Suggest remove the rest as it's clearly signposted)
p136 last para - a cable accompanying the steps was lying on the ground loose and many walkers found this stretch tricky (me included).
Stage 12: p145 para 2 - Instead of 'The path now descends with cables' the situation has changed to 'You now descend a stony farm lane slanting down a cliff. At the foot you reach the alp of Unter Bargl...'
The following information has been received regarding accommodation and route changes to the Swiss Alpine Pass Route:
Stage 12: The route described in paragraph 2 on p145, as descending ‘a well-made stairway with fixed cables’ has changed. The way now descends a stony farm lane slanting down a cliff, at the foot of which you reach the alp of Unter Bärgli.
Stage 14: Restaurant Geilsbrüggli in Geils (p158) no longer provides accommodation.
Stage 16: With accommodation in L’Etivaz (p174) being limited to Hotel du Chamois, should this be full (or closed), please note that buses run to Château d’Oex (last bus 19:04 in summer 2017) where one-star Buffet de la Gare has been recommended by a reader.
Stage 17: We have been informed that the route from L’Etivaz to Rochers de Naye has been altered. Instead of going directly to Sonlomont, it now goes from L’Etivaz to Rossiniere, then to Sonlomont to join the original route as described in the guidebook– see map on 176.