On Wednesday evening, 12 August, up to 92 per cent of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon. In the Saanenland, however, seeing it comes down to one thing: finding a clear view to the west.

The partial solar eclipse takes place shortly before sunset, when the sun will be only around three degrees above the horizon. With mountains surrounding the Saanenland, that means many locations in the valley will miss the spectacle altogether.

Astronomer Dr Thomas K. Friedli told the Anzeiger von Saanen that observers need an exceptionally clear western horizon. In other words: the higher and more exposed the viewpoint, the better the chances.

Using the eclipse function on Sunset Atlas, we identified seven promising viewing areas in and around the region:

• Schatthore – Sunset Score 94/100; less than an hour's walk on a T2 mountain trail after approaching from Lenk towards Laubbärgli.
• Near Fromatthütte – 91/100; around one hour on a T2 trail, with access via Blankenburg towards Tschachtlere.
• Pra Cornet – 91/100; accessible via the Col des Mosses, although access should be checked beforehand.
• Wandflue – 91/100; approached from Abländschen towards Oben Bire or Mittelberg; around one hour on a T3 mountain trail.
• Hornberg – 87/100; accessible from Saanenmöser, followed by a short walk.
• Wispile – 87/100; access from Gstaad but note that the mountain railway only operates until 16.30.
• Bühlberg – 86/100; accessible from the Lenk side, followed by a short walk.

A note on the trails: T2 and T3 refer to the Swiss Alpine Club hiking scale. T2 denotes a mountain hiking trail, generally marked white-red-white, where sure-footedness is recommended. T3 is more demanding, with steeper or exposed sections and requires good sure-footedness and mountain experience.

The map shows the suggested locations and their visibility scores. But a high score does not necessarily mean easy access. Some involve mountain trails, and road restrictions or parking availability need to be checked separately. There are also no special evening services from Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad on 12 August, so anyone heading higher should allow enough time to reach their chosen spot safely.

And, of course, there is one thing no algorithm can fix: the weather. If the skies cooperate, it should be worth the effort. Switzerland will not see another solar eclipse with this degree of coverage until 2075. And there is a bonus for anyone staying out after dark: the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak the same night.

Check before you go: Sunset Atlas can be used to search for additional eclipse-viewing locations and to check the western horizon from a particular spot.

Sunset Atlas – eclipse mode

Based on AvS | Maxime Vögele