Saleina Glacier, Alpine glacier in Orsières, Switzerland
Saleina Glacier is a large ice mass on the Swiss side of the Orsières region, reaching toward the French border. It sprawls across multiple kilometers of steep high-altitude terrain where it meets snowcapped peaks and rock faces.
This ice field formed from the eastern slopes of border mountains between Switzerland and France. Like many glaciers in the region, its size and shape have shifted considerably over recent decades.
The glacier sits in an area shaped by generations of climbers and hikers who pass through its surroundings. Local people have long maintained a strong connection to mountain life and how nature evolves in these high regions.
The best time to visit is during warmer months when snow and ice conditions are more stable for safer hiking. A mountain shelter nearby offers lodging and serves as a helpful base for exploring the surrounding terrain.
A river springs from this ice field and plunges through steep canyons, carrying meltwater directly into lower valleys. This hidden waterflow reveals how powerful glacier melt can be, even at the highest elevations.
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