Distance: ~20 km out & back/loop variant
Area: Grimsel Pass, Bernese Alps, Switzerland
Highlights: Oberaarsee delta, views over Grimselsee & Oberaarsee, quiet trails, self-operated alpine gondolas
Why this hike was special
Last Sunday (17 August 2025), I drove over Grimsel Pass and decided to skip the gondola at the start to walk the whole way toward Oberaar Glacier (Oberaargletscher). Following the shoreline of Oberaarsee and the service road/trail above Grimselsee, the views just kept opening up—granite walls, turquoise water, and big-sky alpine scenery.
At the end of Oberaarsee I stopped at the delta where the glacial stream fans out into the lake. I didn’t step onto the glacier itself; for me, river deltas are the magic—patterns, colors, and the constant movement of meltwater.
On the way back I climbed a little higher above the trail to catch a double-lake panorama of both Oberaarsee and Grimselsee—totally worth the extra effort. Later, I rode the Oberaarbahn back to Grimsel Hospiz. You could hop straight onto the Sidelhornbahn there, but I chose to walk again along the road back toward the pass. It’s not the prettiest section (it stays near the road), but it kept the day feeling continuous and quiet. In total, I logged about 20 km. Few people, big landscapes—highly recommendable.
Route notes
- Start/Access: Grimsel Pass area (road open in summer). Pass elevation 2,164 m.
- Oberaar leg: Follow the Oberaar road/trail toward Oberaarsee (lake elevation 2,303 m; dam completed 1953).
- Turnaround: Stop at the delta near the snout of Oberaargletscher (glacier length ~4 km; shrinking over time).
- Return options:
- Hike back the same way, or
- Ride the Oberaarbahn (a self-operated, two-stage cableway that “low-flies” from Grimsel Hospiz across Grimselsee to Oberaarsee, ~30 minutes).
From Grimsel Hospiz you can optionally take the Sidelhornbahn toward the Sidelhorn trails (also self-operated; typically open June–Oct). I walked instead.
Practical tips
- Cables & times: Oberaarbahn and Sidelhornbahn are usually self-operated in summer with long daily hours (check current status before you go).
- Weather & layers: Fast changes at altitude; carry wind/rain protection.
- Crowds: Much quieter than the big tourist passes—another reason I loved it.
- Safety: I stayed off the glacier—travel on ice requires proper gear/skills.
- Season: Summer/autumn after the road opens (cableways generally run June–mid/late October).
Fast facts (place nerd corner)
- Grimsel Pass links the Haslital (Aare) with the upper Rhône valley; crest at 2,164 m.
- Grimselsee is a hydro reservoir at 1,908 m (dam completed 1932).
- Oberaarsee sits higher at 2,303 m; the Oberaar dam was completed 1953.
- Sidelhorn above the pass reaches 2,764 m and sits on the European continental divide.
Map (Alltrails)
The track I drew on all trails doesn’t exactly match what I hiked.
Photos
Final thought
If you enjoy big scenery without big crowds, walking instead of riding (at least one direction) pays off here. The delta at Oberaarsee is a small, quiet masterpiece—and the double-lake view above the trail ties the whole day together.
