Exploring the Grimsel Pass

The new hotel has become an historic landmark in its own right swissinfo.ch

The historic Grimsel Hospice was one of the victims when the first dams were built on the pass in the 1920s.

The authorities at the time demanded that the power company rebuild and run the hotel, thereby making a long-term commitment to tourism.

The “new” Hotel Grimsel Hospiz sits on a rocky outcrop high above the waters of the Grimsel Lake.

The old building lies at the lake bottom, and reappears like a ghost each spring when all the lake water has been filtered through the dam.

For centuries, it provided refuge for traders carrying cheese, salt, crystals, rice and wine over the important north-south pass.

The new hotel is the starting point for the discovery trek (Parcours du glacier) of Emil Feuz.

The backpack can be picked up free (SFr100 deposit) at the hotel reception. It is advisable to reserve ahead of time.

The entire walk takes about four hours in each direction, but this does not allow time to try any of the suggested experiments.

The hike ends at the Lauteraar mountain hut, above the glacier of the same name. The hut offers simple dormitory accommodation and half board.

It was close to here in the middle of the 19th century that ground – or rather – icebreaking research was carried out on the movements of glaciers, which led to the development of the ice-age theory.

Hydroelectric wonders

The wonders of hydroelectricity can be seen at and around the Hospiz. The Grimsel Power company has opened a new information centre here just above the Grimsel Lake dam.

Every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from June until October visitors are taken inside the turbine plant located underneath the dam, which includes a look at a crystal cave brought to light during the excavation of the tunnel.

The three-hour tour costs SFr27.

The Hospiz is also the start of the signposted “Crystal Trail” which winds along the lakeshores and riverbanks from the hotel down to the village of Guttannen in the valley below.

The three- to four-hour family hike passes crystal caves and “adventure stations” where children are encouraged to learn through play.

The Grimsel Power Company also opened the “Gelmer Funicular” – one of its many cable cars and funiculars – to the public last year.

Built so workers can access the many dams and turbine plants on the pass, Grimsel Power bills the funicular as the steepest in the world.

It covers 400 metres in altitude and connects the valley with the Gelmer Lake, which is also enclosed with a hiking path.

swissinfo, Dale Bechtel