ViaSbrinz: Grimsel Pass–Handegg mule track
Overview
Intro
The old mule track is a walk through history and the world of the Kraftwerke Oberhasli power company. From the dam to the works railway, many facilities are accessible – guaranteeing many memorable moments.
Description
When the present day Sbrinz became an export market for central Switzerland in the late Middle Ages, the mules lugged loaf after loaf over the Grimsel Pass to the markets of northern Italy. The mule track soon became a well-developed trade route.
Today, the ViaSbrinz is a spectacular hiking trail past three lakes and two dams through dramatic mountain scenery. For those hiking from the top of the pass towards Handegg, the best choice is the Kristallweg – following in the footsteps of the mules. It passes the new visitor centre at the hospice and the entrance to the Gerstenegg crystal cavern, which can only be visited on an official tour.
Over the old Böglisbrüggli mule bridge, the trail goes to the Hählen Platten stairs (where the mule train drivers carved steps out of the smooth glacier-polished rocks) and finally on to Handegg. The next astounding spectacle is not very far away: those seeking a nine-minute thrill can take the steepest funicular railway in Europe and chug up almost vertically through the fascinating Alpine panorama to Lake Gelmer in this rail convertible.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Direction |
One way
|
|---|---|
| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
2161 m
|
| Ascent |
76 m
|
| Descent |
833 m
|
| Distance |
9 km
|
| Duration |
2 h 30 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Season |
June - October
|
| Theme |
Over a pass, With panoramic view, Along Water
|
Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG
Grimselwelt
3862
Innertkirchen
Switzerland
Phone
+41 (0)33 982 26 26
welcome@grimselwelt.ch
grimselwelt.ch
