Arolla Glacier, Alpine glacier in Pennine Alps, Valais, Switzerland.
Arolla Glacier is a glacier system in the Pennine Alps comprising interconnected sections including the Mont Collon Glacier and Upper Arolla Glacier. The ice mass stretches across several kilometers and forms a complex network of crevasses, meltwater lakes, and frozen slopes.
The glacier formed at the end of the last ice age and was much larger during the Little Ice Age. Since the 1800s it has been shrinking noticeably and continues to retreat higher into the mountains.
The glacier sits along a historic trade route connecting Swiss Valais to Italy's Aosta Valley. Local people and travelers have crossed this path for centuries to move between the two regions.
The glacier is best visited via a well-marked route from Camp Arolla that passes through subalpine vegetation and alpine pastures. Sturdy footwear and weatherproof clothing are important since mountain conditions can change quickly.
The visible surface features deep blue crevasses and seracs that divide the glacier into a maze-like pattern. These ice formations result from different flow speeds across different parts of the glacier.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
