Valais/Bern
Grimsel Pass
The Grimsel was fought over for years and finally lost the battle to an unexpected victor - hydroelectricity
History
The pass is the only road crossing between the cantons of Valais and Bern and was used as far back as the 14th century. Often used by warring parties before Switzerland's cantons united, the pass's original route was diverted by the installation of the hydroelectric power stations and dams that give it a unique pylon-covered look. The original route and hostel were flooded in 1932 to create the first dam and hydroelectric plant.
Notes
From Gletsch it's a short steep climb to the summit with the lake Totensee - the Lake of the Dead, named after a battle between the cantons in the Napoleonic wars. On the descent are the dam and Grimselsee. The hostel sits on a peninsula with a single-carriageway cobblestone surface. A myriad of cables and pylons criss-cross the scenery creating an unusual landscape. The discovery of a large crack in the Spitallamm dam wall means that a new dam wall is being created. The new dam is scheduled to be completed by 2025.
Map
Statistics
| Summit coordinates | 46°33’43.2”N, 8°20’20.4”E |
|---|---|
| Summit Altitude | 2165 metres |
| Distance | 32 kilometres |
| Start | Gletsch 1757 metres |
| End | Innertkirchen 625 metres |
| Opens | June to mid-October |
Swiss Passes
- Index
- Albula pass
- Bernina pass
- Col de Champex
- Col de la Croix
- Col de la Forclaz
- Col du Marchairuz
- Col des Mosses
- Col du Pillon
- Flüela pass
- Furka pass
- Great Saint-Bernard pass
- Gotthard pass
- Grimsel pass
- Jaun pass
- Julier pass
- Klausen pass
- Lukmanier pass
- Majola pass
- Nufenen pass
- Oberalp pass
- Ofen pass
- San Bernardino pass
- Simplon pass
- Splügen pass
- Susten pass
- Umbrail pass