Gleckstein Hut, Mountain hut at 2317 meters in Grindelwald, Switzerland.
Gleckstein Hut is a Swiss Alpine Club mountain hut perched on a rocky plateau above the Upper Grindelwald Glacier in the Bernese Oberland. From there, the north face of Wetterhorn rises directly in front, with surrounding ridges and glaciers visible on all sides.
The Swiss Alpine Club built this shelter in 1880 as a base for climbers heading to the summits of Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn. It is one of the oldest huts in the Bernese Oberland still in use today.
The hut sits close to the edge of the Upper Grindelwald Glacier, which has visibly retreated over the decades. Staying overnight there gives visitors a direct sense of how the high alpine environment is changing.
The walk up takes around three hours along steep paths with some sections secured by fixed cables, so solid footwear and layers are a must. Weather at this elevation can shift quickly, and it is worth checking conditions before setting out.
Wild ibex regularly come close to the hut to lick salt from the rock surfaces, and they show little fear of people nearby. It is one of the few places in the Alps where you can watch these animals from just a few steps away.
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