The Glacier of Grimsel
May 3rd, 2005, 12:50 PM
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The Glacier of Grimsel
Swiss family friends suggest we go visit, "The Glacier of Grimsel" when we go there in June. Can anyone tell me where this is? I can't find it in Rick Steves book or in Lonely Planet book. Need help!!
May 3rd, 2005, 04:47 PM
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The Grimsel Pass is on the road that goes from Andermatt to the Rhone valley. Andermatt is essentially between the headwaters of the Rhone and the Rhine. Interlaken - Gletsch would probably the direction to go from Bern.
May 3rd, 2005, 05:30 PM
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If you are in Bern, drive first to Interlaken. From Interlaken stay on the road headed to Meiringen. From Meiringen to to the town of Innertkirchen.
Then look for signs pointing toward the Grimsel Pass, perhaps also to Andermatt, Brig. In Switzerland you need to know the name of the next town because route numbers are not often displayed.
The Grimsel Pass is one of the most spectacular passes you will see in the Alps. There is also the Furka pass which is steep and winding. It is in that same area.
If you want a glacier, I would stop at the Grimsel Hospiz and walk the trail out to the Unteraargletscher.
The whole thing may be a moot point, however, because the pass may not yet be open. If you are there in early June, I doubt if the route will be cleared for traffic. By late June, there is a chance.
Then look for signs pointing toward the Grimsel Pass, perhaps also to Andermatt, Brig. In Switzerland you need to know the name of the next town because route numbers are not often displayed.
The Grimsel Pass is one of the most spectacular passes you will see in the Alps. There is also the Furka pass which is steep and winding. It is in that same area.
If you want a glacier, I would stop at the Grimsel Hospiz and walk the trail out to the Unteraargletscher.
The whole thing may be a moot point, however, because the pass may not yet be open. If you are there in early June, I doubt if the route will be cleared for traffic. By late June, there is a chance.
May 4th, 2005, 09:00 AM
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If the Grimsel pass is not open, perhaps the Susten Pass will be. It too is accessed from Innertkirchen.
It is the tamest of the so called "Three Pass Drive", which consists of the Grimsel, Furka, and Susten Passes.
We did them in that order. For once, I had enough mountain driving for one day!
It was glorious, but I white knuckled the Furka!! I would not want to drive them with less than premium tires on my car -- the best that Michelin or Kleber puts out for a passenger car.
The scenery is awesome!
I just hope the passes are open by late June. Bus service to the top of the pass does not start until the last of June.
I have not heard an update on snow conditions on the pass. I think it is too early to tell when the highest parts of the pass will be open. Perhaps by June 10th you can obtain an idea from one of the tourist offices.
If May has a lot of sunshine, perhaps the melt will occur rapidly enough for the plows to clear the white stuff off.
It is the tamest of the so called "Three Pass Drive", which consists of the Grimsel, Furka, and Susten Passes.
We did them in that order. For once, I had enough mountain driving for one day!
It was glorious, but I white knuckled the Furka!! I would not want to drive them with less than premium tires on my car -- the best that Michelin or Kleber puts out for a passenger car.
The scenery is awesome!
I just hope the passes are open by late June. Bus service to the top of the pass does not start until the last of June.
I have not heard an update on snow conditions on the pass. I think it is too early to tell when the highest parts of the pass will be open. Perhaps by June 10th you can obtain an idea from one of the tourist offices.
If May has a lot of sunshine, perhaps the melt will occur rapidly enough for the plows to clear the white stuff off.
May 4th, 2005, 12:02 PM
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I think it is necessary to make a correction: The Glacier of Grimsel is not on the road from Andermatt to the Rhone valley (this is the Furka glacier/pass, which Michael is referring to).
The Grimsel Pass connects the Bernese Oberland (Interlaken, Meiringen) and the Rhone Valley (Gletsch, Brig).
There is a small (one-way, the direction changes every half hour) road from the Grimsel Pass to the Oberaar lake, from where you have a gorgeous view of the Oberaar Glacier. Don't know if your Swiss family friends referred to this one or the Furka glacier. Both are very impressive.
The Grimsel Pass connects the Bernese Oberland (Interlaken, Meiringen) and the Rhone Valley (Gletsch, Brig).
There is a small (one-way, the direction changes every half hour) road from the Grimsel Pass to the Oberaar lake, from where you have a gorgeous view of the Oberaar Glacier. Don't know if your Swiss family friends referred to this one or the Furka glacier. Both are very impressive.
May 4th, 2005, 12:38 PM
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A little word of warning on driving the Furka Pass (Grimsel is probably the same, but I have not studied it). If you are not experienced and enthusiastic about mountain driving, this could be nerve-wracking. Steep, winding, narrow. If you encounter a Swiss Postal Bus, you must cede the right of way. The bus driver will show no sympathy or mercy. If there is not room for the two vehicles to pass each other (and the Swiss idea of room may not be your idea), you will be expected to back up to some point where there is room. Doesn't matter whether you have to back up uphill or downhill, or how many cars behind you have to do the same, you must yield to the bus. By the way, I have had dogs named Furka and Grimsel!
