Glacier Tour from Grindelwald to Gauli
From Grindelwald to Gauli we experience the great diversity of our alpine landscape. We start on the green meadows in the valley of Grindelwald, climb over increasingly rocky terrain to the Gleckstein Hut and finally reach the glacier. Thus we hike through the alpine altitude levels from the bottom to the top and back again. The glacier tour over the Rosenegg has become more and more demanding in recent years, with the retreat of the glaciers. And yet this crossing from Grindelwald to Gauli remains a wonderful tour.
Tour Details
- Fitness Level: Very Sporty
- Experience Level: Competent
You do not need any previous mountaineering experience to participate on this tour but you have to be an experienced hiker in alpine terrain.
Group Tour (3-4 participants)
| CHF 950 per person | |
Private Tour
| 1-2 people | CHF 2850 per group |
| 3-4 people | CHF 950 per person |
To book a private tour please contact us:
| Day | Elevation + | Elevation - | Kilometers | Walking time |
| 1 | 850m | 50m | 3.5km | approx. 3 hours |
| 2 | 1400m | 1500m | 12km | approx. 6-8 hours |
| 2 | 150m | 1500m | 8km | approx. 5-6 hours |
Day 1: Ascent to the Gleckstein hut 2317m
Our meeting point is in Grindelwald. From here we drive / take a bus to the Gleckstein hut's trailhead. The hike leads up past Engi, the old top station of the Wetterhorn cableway (the oldest in Switzerland), then under the Weissbach waterfall – be careful here – before finally zig zaging up through a steep hillside to reach the wonderfully positioned hut. With a slice of cake on the terrace we can enjoy the unique view of the Wetterhorn and the Chrinnenhorn, the latter of which will be our goal for the following day. We enjoy the cosy atmosphere of the hut and a hot meal and prepare for the following day. With a bit of luck, some ibex might join us for dinner.
Day 2: Hike up to the Rosenegg 3455m and down to Gauli hut 2204m
In the light of the headlamp we start our glacier traverse from Grindelwald to Gauli. First we follow a marked path with ropes and ladders to "Beesi Bärgli". Now we go up to the glacier. We rope up and enjoy the fresh morning air at sunrise. Slowly, step by step, we move towards Rosenegg. Once on Rosenegg, we enjoy the magnificent view. And already we are descending over the Gauli glacier. The mountain guide finds a safe way around the crevasses. Down on the flatter part of the glacier we may see remains of the Dakota - the plane that crashed in this region many years ago. We move on and leave the glacier. We wind our way along path tracks to the Gauli hut.
Day 3: Descent to the Urbach Valley
Early in the morning we enjoy the beautiful view from the Gauli hut. Soon we start our descent into the Urbach valley. From the hut we follow the hiking path going up and down and around the Tälligrat. Now it is a steep downhill zig-zaging all the way to the river "Ürbachwasser" . We follow the path to "Schrätteren", where the paths of the Gauli and Dossen huts meet. We wind our way along the mountain to the valley floor. Now the terrain becomes somewhat flatter and we hike to Mürvorsess. From here we can continue on foot or order a taxi to take us to Innertkirchen. A wonderful three-days tour comes to an end.
| Season | July - September |
| Departures for official tours | See "Closest Bookable Dates" |
| Departures for private tours | Private tours can be booked daily |
| Meeting point | 10:00am Outdoor Shop & Café Grindelwald |
- Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
- Expenses and 2 overnights for the mountain guide
- Hut reservation
- Your expenses
- 2 nights in bunk room with half-board and tea for the next day
- Snacks
- Rental equipment
- Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guides share)
Backpack
- 30-35l
Clothing
- Warm, functional clothing
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Mountaineering or hiking pants
- Sunhat
- Gloves
- Beanie or headband
- Extra underwear and socks
Footwear
- Stiff hiking boots or crampon proof mountaineering boots
The basics
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
- Thermos flask, drink bottle
- Silk sleeping bag liner
- Headlamp
- Toiletries
- SAC/DAV permit (if you have one)
- GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
- Earplugs (optional)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
Technical Equipment
- Harness
- Crampons with anti-snow plates
- Hiking poles
General Information for Mountaineering School
Our team is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit us in our shop in Grindelwald. We are happy to help!
OUTDOOR - Mountaineering School Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103
3818 Grindelwald
Switzerland
Trip status for group courses
1-2 days before your tour or course we will review the weather forecast and conditions with the mountain guide to determine if we can operate. We will contact you by phone with an update.
Minimum of participants (group tours)
As soon as the minimum number of participants is reached, we will send you a confirmation by email.
Cancellation
If we have to cancel your tour, you have the option to reschedule to a new date, or you will receive a full refund.
Equipment
Please refer to the equipment list for your tour or course. At our shop in Grindelwald, you can purchase technical equipment, mountain clothing, shoes, and backpacks. We also have technical equipment available for rent.
Clothing
Choose functional clothing that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Dress in layers so you can easily react to temperature changes. The range at our shop in Grindelwald is tailored to mountain tours and our expert staff are happy to advise you on the best clothing for your tour or course.
Lunch
Lunch is not included in the offer. We recommend bringing bars, dried fruits, nuts, or a sandwich. The amount you will need to drink depends on your individual needs and the length of the tour. We recommend .75 -1.5 liters of water, warm tea, isotonic drinks, or whatever you prefer. We also recommend that you hydrate enough the day before, so your body is well prepared for the tour.
Huts
A mountain hut is not a hotel. Running water is not guaranteed and electricity is not available everywhere, so it is not always possible to charge batteries or phones. If you have special dietary needs, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with the hut.
Safety
Our tours and courses are led by IVBV certified mountain guides or mountain guide aspirants. We prioritise your safety by requiring regular training to ensure our guides have relevant, up to date knowledge. Outdoor is certified by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) and our safety and emergency concepts are audited by this organization annually.
General terms of contract
Our General Terms and Conditions apply.