Why do I recommend these hikes?
I would say this of all the possible hikes in the Bernese Alps, but these are probably the ones that offer the widest choice. You can reach the proposed destinations very easily with the support of mountain railroads, or via difficult, very strenuous mountain passages.
This makes it possible not only to plan at short notice, but also to always be on the safe side when it comes to the weather!
Lämmerenalp
The Number One Hike as a Tourist
The Lämmerenalp is located on the eastern side of the Wildstrubel, a mountain massif with impressive views. The Lämmerenalp can be reached from the south, i.e. from Valais, via the cable car from Leukerbad. Those approaching from the north prefer to walk from Kandersteg across the plateau towards the south. But a two-day tour from Lenk is also possible, with an overnight stay in the Fluhseehütte before descending via the Wildstrubel along the Lämmeren-Glacier the next day. Caution is advised, I only recommend it for experienced alpinists who have looked at precise maps in advance and can also climb short passages. Alternatively, there are many alpine tour operators who offer a guided tour over the Wildstrubel-Glacier, but I would not recommend this. A very good alternative for those who like it challenging is the approach via Engstligenalp via Chindbettipass and Roter Toz. It takes about 5 hours from the Engstligenalp mountain station to the Lämmerenhütte (SAC mountain hut). If the 900 meters in altitude are not strenuous enough for you, you can take the public bus to the “Unter dem Birg” bus stop in Adelboden and walk up to Engstligenalp yourself instead of taking the cable car. If you are fit and well prepared, you should take the plunge! It’s an additional 2 hours and 560 meters in altitude, which is rewarded with the largest waterfall in Switzerland. There is one small caveat: this section of the trail is often closed in spring and fall. This is because the huge waterfall is partially frozen and pieces of ice threaten to break off.
But back to the trail for those who don’t want to put up with strenuous mountain passes and steep slopes. A very beautiful and less demanding hike is the journey by gondola from Kandersteg to “Sunnbüel”. From there, an approx. 11 km long hike awaits you with a good 500 vertical meters evenly distributed, the journey between the high mountain peaks takes about 3.5 hours. If you prefer, you can also do without the gondola ride and walk the 700 meters in altitude. This may sound like a lot at first, but you will find a very well-maintained path that climbs evenly, and you can make it in 2 hours without any further problems. The beautiful mountain hotel Schwarenbach, if not the most beautiful mountain hotel in Switzerland, invites you to linger. Some mountain farmers also sell alpine cheese along the hiking trail, and smaller alpine inns are also very popular in summer. So you won’t go hungry if the lunch you brought with you was too small.
Whichever route you choose, you have the opportunity to take a refreshing dip in the Lämmeren– or Daubensee lakes. I therefore recommend bringing a warm bathing towel and your swimming gear, provided you can stand cold water! Whichever side you start from, good planning is an absolute must. If you decide to spend the night in the Lämmerenhütte or Fluhseehütte, you should definitely book in advance. This also applies to the Berghotel Schwarenbach and all other SAC huts in Switzerland. The routes I have briefly and concisely suggested offer many more possibilities. If you would like to climb, you should definitely find out more about the region on the official website of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC). My suggestions are only intended to give you an initial idea of what is possible and not a fixed plan – after all, we all go to the mountains to be free!
The Swiss Confederation also offers very good map material that is freely available! Also available as a smartphone app from Swisstopo. All current hiking trails and closures are displayed, and you can even create your own routes with precise times and altitude, an absolute must for anyone who spends time in the Swiss mountains. Another important topic when you are in the mountains is the weather. Here, too, there is a very good app solution offered by the Swiss Meteorological Service, MeteoSwiss.
Grimsel Area
The breathtaking mountain world of the Grimsel pass
And once again we have arrived in a region that offers countless possibilities! From pure “parking lot hikes” to alpine tours and glacier ascents, the Grimsel region has it all. That’s why I’m happy to recommend it for everyone. But before we get into individual hiking suggestions, a little homage to the natural wonder that is the Grimsel. Anyone who spends time in little Switzerland and ventures into all its hidden corners quickly realizes that the landscape changes more rapidly than anywhere else in the world. In Ticino on Lake Maggiore, you quickly get that Mediterranean feeling, while in the Engadin with its extensive larch forests, you can hardly imagine that you are only a few kilometers away as the crow flies. The landscape along the entire Swiss Alps differs a lot and the Grimsel region is a very special landscape itself. Europe’s watershed, which separates the outflow from the Mediterranean and the North Sea, appears very green. Rhizocarpon geographicum or better known as map lichen makes the rocks appear in green-orange colors like nowhere else in Switzerland. With its impressive landscape and enchanting flora and fauna, the Grimsel has something to offer in any weather and at any time of year. The Grimsel region is therefore highly recommended!
If you like it simple and don’t want to break a sweat, I recommend a ride on the Gelmerbahn! Well, for all those who have no problem with heights, otherwise you will work up quite a sweat, with a maximum gradient of 106% it was the steepest funicular in Europe for a long time! Again, if you book a ticket, there’s no stress, but it’s often advisable to book several days in advance! Once at the top, a flat and easy hike around the reservoir is possible. If this is too easy for you, you can make your way to the Gelmerhütte at 2412 meters above sea level. From the mountain station, it can be easily reached in just under two hours. If the visibility is good, you will be rewarded with incredible views of the neighboring mountain peaks on the other side of the valley. But this is by no means the end of the story for all mountaineering enthusiasts! Those who wish can descend via the Diechterhorn (3380 m.a.s.l.) over the Trift glacier to the mountain hut of the same name. Again, this is only for experienced alpinists after a detailed self-assessment and consultation of the SAC website or a guided tour. If you want to save the money for the cable car or have not made a reservation and can no longer find a space, you can continue along the pass road from the Gelmerbahn valley station. A few meters after leaving the road tunnel, there are parking spaces on the left and right side of the road. From there, a well-signposted hiking trail leads back towards the Gelmerstausse. An additional short walk of 40 to 50 minutes with 250 meters of altitude.
For those who prefer a 360-degree view and enjoy hiking, you can head up to the Sidelhoren from the top of the pass. In good weather conditions, you can even see the Matterhorn in Valais from here! Several 4000-metre peaks, some glaciers (provided they haven’t melted around the corner….) mountain lakes and passes can be seen from here. A hike that is particularly impressive in very good weather. Several paths lead to the Sidelhore (2764 m.a.s.l.), the fastest one leads directly from the parking lot of the Grimsel Pass in just under 2 hours with 600 meters of altitude difference to the summit cross. However, I recommend the southern route, where you walk along small pretty lakes around the summit before approaching it from the western flank.
As mentioned several times, there are countless ways to quench your thirst for hiking in the Grimsel region. However, one particular hike should not be missed here. Those who love ridge hikes will get their money’s worth at Nägelisgrätli and fall in love with the incredibly beautiful Swiss mountains! You also start from the parking lot at the top of the Grimsel Pass and walk directly behind the Hotel Alpenrösli in a north-easterly direction. Along steep mountain flanks with a view towards Lake Grimsel, you finally cross the ridge and thus the cantonal border into Valais. But still in the Bernese Alps, you come to the impressive Rohne Glacier. An impressive ice flow that will amaze you and makes up for a “dead-end” hike! From the top of the pass, you can reach the viewpoint on the Rohne Glacier in 2 hours, covering a good 570 meters in altitude.
Your third option
Really doesn’t matter
We all live in the same world, which often gives us the feeling that we have to emulate others. Going your own way is important, but in the Alps it can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why we stick to marked paths and tried and tested routes. But let’s try to rethink our choice of route at this point. We don’t have to follow the suggestions of Instagram and co. to be happy, but simply enjoy what is feasible for us and collect moments. In conversations I have had with many tourists, the topic of Switzerland as a price island often comes up. Public transportation costs a lot of money, mountain railroads and restaurants are not affordable for everyone. With a little prior knowledge and planning, a longer stay in Switzerland can be realized even on a small budget (SBB-Sparbilette, Prix-Garantie Food, camping in Switzerland, etc. are just a few of the hints). At this point it is all the more important to mention that it doesn’t matter where you stay, every corner of Switzerland has its charm. You certainly don’t have to go on fancy tours, the nature you can enjoy often starts behind the next house.
Any information is not accurate or you need help?
Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.