Gelmerhütte: Berner Oberland
Switzerland has no shortage of turquoise alpine lakes, but the Gelmersee might be a new favorite.
This area is somewhat social media famous because of the Gelmerbahn, the super steep open-air funicular train to the lake that has been dubbed “the Swiss roller coaster.” Roller coaster it is not, but I have to admit, it does look like a lot of fun to ride. Unfortunately, given it’s popularity, you need to book the train tickets well in advance. But fortunately - there is a trail up to the lake that you can take instead! And it only adds about 45 minutes and 250 meters to your hike up to the hut.
The hike from the bus stop (the stop is Kunzentännlein, by the way, NOT Gelmerbahn) winds up the mountains, sometimes on stone stairs built into the mountain. It’s short but steep, so the lake was a welcome sight. Given that we still had a big climb up to the hut ahead of us, we resisted a swim right then and there. Crossing the dam wall, we hiked around the lake clockwise. The section of the trail is cut right into the the smooth rock walls, with a drop to one side into the lake below. It’s not too narrow, but surefootedness is helpful here. After crossing the Diechterbach, we started the climb up large, stepped stones to the Gelmerhutte. It’s a steep, rocky ascent, and in the hot sun the 500+ meters felt like double. The view got more and more spectacular though, with waterfalls, spiky peaks and a birds-eye view of the gorgeous Gelmersee and the entire Grimsel world.
The initial descent was the same as the ascent, but we turned left at the intersection so that we could 1.) complete a full round-tour of the lake, and 2.) take a well-deserved dip in the water. It’s freezing cold and absolutely delightful. There is another short passage secured with wire ropes, but it is easy to pass. The vegetation on this side of the lake is green and lush, it almost feels tropical. Finally, we arrived back to the dam, and then descended down to the same bus stop we started at.
Start/End: Handegg, Kunzentännlein
Basic Route: Kunzentännlein - Gelmersee - Gelmerhutte - Gelmersee - Kunzentännlein
11km, 940m ascent/descent, 5 hours, T2/T3
