The scenery in the Grimsel region is characterized by impressive rock forms and divinable glaciers. The Grimsel reservoir lies directly below the level of the pass. Ice-age glaciers have visibly polished and smoothened the granite rocks on the steep slopes.

The area includes a varied mire landscape. Swiss stone pines, Scots pine, larches and beech trees grow along the shore of the reservoir. The sparse forest, the mires and the other Alpine vegetation are very natural and unspoiled.

However, due to its reservoirs and power plants, the Grimsel region also plays a very important role in electricity production.

The power plant operators are planning to raise the dam. The project is controversial because the raising of the water level by 23 metres would involve the loss of valuable habitats. The glacier foreland of the Lower Aar glacier and numerous Swiss stone pines along the shore of the current reservoir would be affected in particular by this measure.