Upper Grindelwald Glacier

The Upper Grindelwald Glacier is an ice mass on the northern side of the Bernese Alps that stretches across several kilometers through high mountain terrain and is fed by extensive snow accumulation areas. The glacier displays typical features of high-altitude ice, including visible crevasses and a large terminal zone where ice meets rock.

The glacier has been observed by mountain dwellers for centuries and became a focus of scientific study in the 1800s. Over the time period of documented observations, it has undergone significant shifts in size and extent.

The glacier appears as a natural landmark that shapes how people understand Alpine landscapes and environmental change. Visitors walking to the viewpoint become aware of the power of ice and its role in shaping mountain terrain.

Access is via a wooden walkway with numerous steps that leads to a viewing platform roughly 1,400 meters above sea level with good sight lines to the glacier edge. The climb requires some effort and sturdy footwear is essential, particularly if surfaces are wet or icy.

The ice displays intense blue coloration at its base, created by light refraction that produces different effects depending on the season. These formations create natural hollow spaces that offer observant visitors a special visual phenomenon to witness.

Location: Bern

GPS coordinates: 46.61889,8.84444

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:09