Cycling in Switzerland

Photo gallery

Hiking in the surroundings

ViaSbrinz
ViaSbrinz
Stage 4, Guttannen–Obergesteln
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Cycling in the surroundings

Aare Route
Aare Route
Stage 1, Oberwald (Gletsch)–Meiringen
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Rhone Route
Rhone Route
Stage 1, Andermatt–Oberwald
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Biking in the surroundings

Gämschfax Bike
Grimsel Bike
Guttannen
Technology and nature on Lake Grimsel

Technology and nature on Lake Grimsel

The Grimsel region in the heart of the Aare Massif is characterized by impressive granite rocks. The contrast between the wild natural landscape and the use of man-made technology to generate hydro-electric power is impressive.
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.
The Grimsel region in the heart of the Aare Massif is characterized by impressive granite rocks. The contrast between the wild natural landscape and the use of man-made technology to generate hydro-electric power is impressive.
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.

Technology and nature on Lake Grimsel

Adresse

Bundesamt für Umwelt
und Naturdenkmäler von nationaler Bedeutung (BLN)
BLN-Objekt-Nr. 1507
Tel. -
bln@bafu.admin.ch
www.bafu.admin.ch/bln

Services

Places

Grimselpass
Grimselpass
Guttannen
Guttannen
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Accommodation

Aarbiwak SAC (teilweise bewartet)
Aarbiwak SAC (teilweise bewartet)
Guttannen
Bächlitalhütte SAC
Grimsel Passhöhe
Gelmerhütte SAC
Gelmerhütte SAC
Handegg
Lauteraarhütte SAC
Lauteraarhütte SAC
Grimsel Hospiz
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Hiking in the surroundings

ViaSbrinz
ViaSbrinz
Stage 4, Guttannen–Obergesteln
Show all

Cycling in the surroundings

Aare Route
Aare Route
Stage 1, Oberwald (Gletsch)–Meiringen
Show all
Rhone Route
Rhone Route
Stage 1, Andermatt–Oberwald
Show all

Biking in the surroundings

Gämschfax Bike
Grimsel Bike