Hike /Erlebnis Geologie (swisstopo)
Crystal Trail
Guttannen (Handegg, Gelmerbahn)Gletsch (Grimsel, Hospiz)
- Distance
- 7.8 km
- Duration
- 2:40 h
- Ascent
- 623 m
- Descent
- 68 m
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Fitness
- Moderate
- Route type
- One way
01/ Overview
The route
Following in the footsteps of pack-train drivers, the Crystal Trail climbs from Handegg through forest, alpine pastures and rocky terrain to Grimselsee and the Grimsel Hospiz.
The Crystal Trail begins directly beside the Handegg, Gelmerbahn bus stop. The ascent, which takes just over two and a half hours, starts near Alprestaurant Handeck. A short section lies outside the marked hiking trail network, after which the mountain trail climbs steadily. Between alpine pastures and forest, it follows in the footsteps of former pack-train drivers, while also bringing the geology of the Grimsel region into focus.
As altitude is gained, the terrain becomes more open and rocky. Over just under eight kilometres, the trail gains around 600 metres in elevation, without any lengthy reverse gradients. Towards the Grimselpass, Grimselsee comes into view, a reservoir in the headwaters of the Aare. It is the largest of the neighbouring reservoirs and extends close to the Unteraargletscher.
The route follows the shore to the Grimsel Hospiz. After an almost continuous ascent, the highest point and the destination are reached there at around 1,960 m, by the Grimsel, Hospiz bus stop.
Route data: swisstopo / Erlebnis Geologie · opendata.swiss BY · Source
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
Larches count as conifer forest here.
07/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
