Oberaarsee, reservoir in the Grimsel area, part of the municipality of Guttannen, Switzerland; the Oberaar glacier is located west of the lake
Oberaarsee is a large reservoir situated high in the mountains near Guttannen in the canton of Bern. The water is surrounded by rocky slopes and patches of lingering snow, with a dam built in 1953 that holds back the water and enables hydroelectric power generation for the surrounding region.
The reservoir was created by the construction of the Oberaar dam in 1953, designed to generate electricity for the region. Before this, the area was dominated by the Oberaar glacier, which has steadily retreated over the decades, exposing more of the rocky landscape.
The name Oberaarsee refers to the Aar river that flows through the region. Visitors today experience this place as a spot where water and mountains hold attention, drawing people who seek to understand how nature and human infrastructure coexist.
The lake is accessible via a hiking trail from Grimsel Hospiz that passes through rocky terrain and takes several hours. Bring sturdy footwear and water, as the path is steep with little shade along the way.
The lake sits directly beside the Oberaar glacier, which visibly retreats year after year. On warmer days, visitors may hear the cracking and creaking of ice breaking away, a sound that cuts through the otherwise silent mountain landscape.
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