Stein Glacier, Alpine glacier in Bern, Switzerland
Stein Glacier is an alpine glacier in the Urner Alps that stretches through rugged high-altitude terrain between 2000 and 3420 meters elevation. The ice formation creates a striking feature of the mountain landscape visible from several nearby hiking routes.
The glacier was approximately one kilometer longer during the Little Ice Age around the mid-1800s than it is today. Since then it has retreated steadily, reflecting broader changes in the Alpine landscape driven by climate shifts.
Swiss scientists regularly monitor the Stein Glacier to document climate changes and understand glacial movement patterns in the Alpine region.
Visitors can reach the glacier from marked hiking trails that begin from the Susten Pass road in the surrounding area. The routes offer varying difficulty levels and allow people to experience the ice formation from different vantage points.
The glacier's retreat has created Steinsee lake at 1934 meters elevation where the glacier tongue once extended. This lake serves as a visible record of the ice's movement and the warming effects on the mountain landscape.
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