By Motorhome through the Swiss Alps – Gelmerbahn, Gelmersee, Furkapass & Rhone Glacier | Switzerland Part 4
By Campervan through the Swiss Alps – Gelmerbahn, Lake Gelmer, Furkapass & Rhone Glacier
The Swiss Alps are among Europe's most beautiful travel destinations – and that's exactly what we experience on this leg of our campervan tour through Switzerland. In Switzerland Part 4, we take you to the spectacular Gelmerbahn, hike around the impressive Lake Gelmer, explore the Furkapass with our quad bike, and visit the famous Rhone Glacier. Finally, at the Grimselpass, an encounter with curious marmots awaits us.
The Gelmerbahn is one of Europe's steepest funiculars and is no longer an insider tip for anyone wishing to discover the Grimselwelt. The ascent itself is thrilling, before a fantastic panorama opens up over the turquoise Lake Gelmer and the surrounding three-thousanders. Afterwards, we explore the alpine mountain world on foot and enjoy the impressive nature of the Swiss Alps.
After the hike, our adventure continues. We drive our quad bike over the Grimselpass to the famous Furkapass. Along the way, we visit the Rhone Glacier with its well-known ice grotto and, to end the day, experience the marmots at the Grimselpass up close.
If you are planning a campervan trip through Switzerland or are looking for the most beautiful sights around Gelmerbahn, Lake Gelmer, Furkapass, Grimselpass, and Rhone Glacier, you will find many impressions, photos, tips, and, of course, our corresponding YouTube video in this post.
📍 Highlights & Chapters:
Up to Lake Gelmer with the Gelmerbahn
The evening before, we had already secured our tickets for the famous Gelmerbahn. That's why we could start the day completely relaxed. After a cozy breakfast, we set off with our husky Don for the short walk to the valley station of the Gelmerbahn – full of anticipation for one of the highlights of our Swiss trip.
At the first glance at the railway, it quickly became clear why it is considered one of Europe's most spectacular funiculars. With a maximum gradient of 106 percent, the Gelmerbahn is one of the steepest open funiculars in the world. The sight of the steep tracks alone caused mixed feelings for Kirsten, as fear of heights and such an ascent are not an easy combination.
After a few minutes, the doors opened, and we took our seats in the historic train. Slowly, the Gelmerbahn started moving and steadily gained altitude. Meter by meter, the view became more impressive. Deep below us lay the valley, while rugged rock faces, small waterfalls, and the last snowfields of spring passed by on the left and right.
The higher we climbed, the further the view extended over the Grimselwelt. Despite her fear of heights, Kirsten mastered the ascent with flying colors. At the latest when the turquoise Lake Gelmer appeared before us, the tension and uneasy feeling were quickly forgotten.
Once at the top, an impressive high-mountain landscape awaited us. Lake Gelmer lay peacefully between the mountains, reflecting the changing light of the sun. Together with the snow-covered peaks and the imposing dam wall, it offered a panorama we won't soon forget.
After just the first few minutes, it was clear to us: the ascent with the Gelmerbahn is, for good reason, one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Swiss Alps. Anyone visiting the Grimselwelt should definitely not miss this experience.
The Gelmerbahn takes you up to Lake Gelmer. With a gradient of up to 106 percent, the historic funicular is one of Europe's steepest open funiculars – even Husky Don enjoys the spectacular ascent.
💡 Good to know:
The Gelmerbahn was originally built for the construction of the Gelmer Dam and later opened to visitors. Today, it is one of the most famous attractions in the Bernese Oberland. Over a distance of about one kilometer, it overcomes almost 450 meters in altitude and reaches a maximum gradient of 106 percent – an experience that is almost unique in Europe.
Our Swiss Highlights as a Video 🎬
Hike around Lake Gelmer
After the impressive ascent with the Gelmerbahn, we naturally didn't just want to admire the unique mountain landscape from above. Our goal was to explore a section of the popular hiking trail around Lake Gelmer and calmly enjoy the nature of the Grimselwelt.
Our first path led us over the imposing dam wall. From here, a spectacular view stretched far down into the valley. At the same time, the turquoise Lake Gelmer lay peacefully before us, reflecting the surrounding mountain peaks. Initially, some clouds drifted through the valley, but gradually the sun broke through more and more, making the colors of the landscape appear even more intense.
We then followed the hiking trail along the lakeside. The well-maintained path led past rugged rocks, small streams, and repeatedly to impressive viewpoints. A new panorama opened up behind almost every bend, so we constantly stopped to take photos and videos.
Of course, Don couldn't be left out. As soon as the opportunity arose, our husky enthusiastically jumped into the icy water of Lake Gelmer. For him, the water temperature didn't seem to be a problem at all – quite the opposite. While we enjoyed the view, he happily splashed around in the crystal-clear mountain water and visibly had fun.
We actually wanted to complete the entire loop around Lake Gelmer. However, the further we followed the hiking trail, the more challenging the terrain became. The path became increasingly steep and in some places significantly narrower. Since we hadn't planned a full-day tour and had other destinations on our agenda, we eventually decided to turn back.
In retrospect, that was exactly the right decision. This way, we could enjoy the impressive mountain world without time pressure and start our return journey at leisure. Moreover, on the way back, new perspectives opened up on Lake Gelmer and the surrounding mountains.
Before returning to the Gelmerbahn, we used the last rays of sunshine for some souvenir photos. The changing light between the clouds and the snow-capped peaks created a very special atmosphere that made this place even more impressive.
View of the turquoise Lake Gelmer in the Grimselwelt. After the ride on the Gelmerbahn, we enjoy the impressive mountain landscape of the Swiss Alps with Husky Don.
💡Hiking tip:
The complete circular hike around Lake Gelmer is about 7 kilometers long and is considered moderately to challenging in places. Sure-footedness and sturdy footwear are recommended. If you don't want to do the complete loop, you can – like us – explore only part of the trail and still be rewarded with fantastic views of Lake Gelmer and the surrounding mountains.
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Facts about the Gelmerbahn and Lake Gelmer
The Gelmerbahn is one of Switzerland's most extraordinary mountain railways and is well-known far beyond national borders. It was originally built in the 1920s to transport materials for the construction of the Gelmer Dam. Many years later, the railway was opened to visitors and developed into a popular excursion destination in the Grimselwelt.
With a maximum gradient of 106 percent, the Gelmerbahn is one of Europe's steepest open funiculars. Over a distance of about one kilometer, it overcomes around 450 meters in altitude and brings visitors to almost 1,860 meters above sea level in just a few minutes.
At the top, Lake Gelmer awaits – an artificially created reservoir fed by the meltwater of the surrounding glaciers. Especially on sunny days, the water shimmers in impressive turquoise and blue tones. Together with the rugged rocks and snow-capped peaks, it creates a backdrop that is among the most beautiful photo opportunities in the Swiss Alps.
An approximately seven-kilometer-long hiking trail leads around Lake Gelmer. The complete loop is considered moderately difficult to challenging. In some places, the path runs narrowly along the slope, which is why sure-footedness and sturdy footwear are recommended. If you don't want to do the complete loop, you can – like us – explore only part of the trail and still enjoy the impressive landscape.
Our tip:
Visit the Gelmerbahn preferably in the morning and reserve your tickets in advance. Especially on sunny weekends and in the summer months, tickets are often sold out early. This way, you can start your day relaxed and enjoy the impressive mountain world without time pressure.
By Quad over Furkapass and Grimselpass
After our hike at Lake Gelmer, the day was far from over. Back at the campervan, adventure called again. The weather had turned beautiful, the sun was shining brightly, and so it was quickly decided: the quad had to come off the trailer again.
Originally, we only wanted to take a small tour through the Grimselwelt. But as often happens on our travels, a spontaneous idea quickly turned into another highlight. The winding pass road first led us up to the Grimselpass and then continued towards the Furkapass – two of Switzerland's most impressive alpine passes.
After just the first few kilometers, it became clear that this decision had paid off immensely. Behind almost every bend, new views opened up of snow-capped peaks, deeply cut valleys, and the crystal-clear reservoirs of the Grimsel region. We stopped repeatedly to enjoy the view and take some photos and drone footage.
With the quad, you experience the Swiss Alps in a completely different way than with a campervan. You feel the fresh wind, smell the clear mountain air, and perceive the landscape much more intensely. Especially on the winding pass roads, the driving experience was simply indescribable.
The higher we climbed, the clearer it became that winter hadn't quite ended up here. Along the road, there were still large snowfields in places, and in some areas, snow walls several meters high piled up next to the road. This contrast between spring in the valley and the winter landscape on the pass summits made the ride a very special experience.
Upon reaching the Furkapass, we took a longer break. From up here, a fantastic view of the surrounding mountain world unfolds. The mix of rugged rocks, snow-covered peaks, and winding roads makes this alpine pass a popular destination for campervan travelers, motorcyclists, and car enthusiasts alike.
For us, the route between Grimselpass and Furkapass is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful panoramic roads we have driven so far. Anyone traveling through Switzerland by campervan should definitely include these two alpine passes in their route planning.
With our quad, we reach the Furkapass at an altitude of 2,436 meters. Even in early summer, large snowfields are still present here, creating an impressive high-mountain backdrop.
💡 Travel Tip:
Plan enough time for the route between Grimselpass and Furkapass. Along the entire pass road, there are numerous viewpoints and parking facilities where a short stop is worthwhile. Especially in late spring, the impressive snow walls and glittering mountain lakes provide unique photo opportunities.
Our Highlights as a Video 🎬
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Rhone Glacier and Ice Grotto
After the impressive drive over the Furka Pass, the next highlight of our Switzerland trip was already on the program. Just a few minutes later, we reached the famous Rhone Glacier, which is considered one of the best-known glaciers in the Swiss Alps and is also the source of the Rhone River.
Even from the pass road, there was an impressive view of the mighty ice masses stretching down into the valley between the surrounding mountains. Although the Rhone Glacier has lost a lot of its size in recent decades, its sight is still fascinating and impressively demonstrates the power of nature.
We were particularly excited about the famous ice grotto, which is carved into the glacier ice anew each year. Unfortunately, upon our arrival, we discovered that it was still closed during our visit. Of course, we were a bit disappointed about this, as we had definitely planned this item for our itinerary.
Nevertheless, we didn't regret the detour for a second. The drive over the Furka Pass alone and the view of the mighty glacier made the stop more than worthwhile. We took the opportunity to take some photos and let the impressive landscape sink in. The combination of rugged rocks, the last snowfields, and the shimmering blue ice made this place a very special experience.
Even though we couldn't explore the ice grotto from the inside this time, we will certainly visit the Rhone Glacier again. Perhaps next time we'll be luckier and can experience this unique natural wonder from within.
The historic Hotel Belvédère on the Furka Pass is the landmark of the Rhone Glacier. From here, a short walk leads to the famous ice grotto and the viewpoints over the glacier.
💡 Good to know:
The Rhone Glacier is located at an altitude of around 2,300 meters in the canton of Valais and is the source of the Rhone River, which later flows through Switzerland and France to the Mediterranean Sea. The famous ice grotto is carved anew into the glacier ice every spring, as it changes every year due to the natural movement and melting of the glacier. Depending on the weather and snow conditions, the ice grotto usually opens towards the end of May or beginning of June.
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Marmots on the Grimsel Pass
Before heading back to our motorhome, we made one last stop at the Grimsel Pass. We originally just wanted to enjoy the view and take a few photos here. But after just a few minutes, we discovered something we hadn't expected at all.
Suddenly, a marmot moved between the rocks. A little later, more animals emerged from their burrows and curiously observed their surroundings. With a little patience, we were able to observe the small alpine inhabitants up close and, of course, capture them with our camera.
It was fascinating to see how attentively the marmots kept an eye on their surroundings. Again and again, they stood on their hind legs, looking out for potential dangers, and disappeared back between the rocks in a flash at the slightest movement. Only a short time later, they reappeared and continued their search for food.
For us, such encounters are among the most beautiful moments of a motorhome trip. You can plan as many sights as you want – often it's the spontaneous experiences with nature and animals that stay with you the longest.
After observing the marmots for a while, we slowly made our way back. The sun was already lower, bathing the mountain landscape around the Grimsel Pass in a warm light. A more beautiful end to this eventful day through the Swiss Alps would have been hard to imagine.
A curious marmot on the Grimsel Pass. With a little patience, these small alpine inhabitants can be observed up close here – one of the most beautiful nature experiences of our Switzerland trip.
💡Good to know:
Marmots prefer to live above the tree line in the Alps and spend up to seven months in hibernation. Especially in the summer months, they can be observed on the Grimsel Pass and many other alpine passes in Switzerland. With a little patience and sufficient distance, you can often experience the animals in their natural environment for a long time. Please do not feed wild animals and keep enough distance so that they are not disturbed.
Our Conclusion
This day of travel once again showed us how diverse a motorhome trip through the Swiss Alps can be. The spectacular ascent with the Gelmerbahn was an experience in itself. The hike around Lake Gelmer offered fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and clearly demonstrated why the Grimselwelt is one of the most beautiful regions in Switzerland.
But our adventure was far from over. The spontaneous decision to ride a quad over the Grimsel Pass and the Furka Pass in the afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire trip. The winding pass roads, the impressive snow walls, and the breathtaking panoramas made every minute an unforgettable experience.
Even though we couldn't visit the ice grotto on the Rhone Glacier due to its late opening, the detour was definitely worth it. The view of the mighty glacier and the unique high mountain landscape will remain in our memory for a long time. The crowning glory was finally the curious marmots on the Grimsel Pass, which perfectly rounded off our day.
For us, this combination of Gelmerbahn, Gelmersee, Grimsel Pass, Furka Pass, and Rhone Glacier is one of the most beautiful day trips you can take during a motorhome trip through Switzerland. If you visit the Swiss Alps, you should definitely take enough time for this region. New views await around every bend, and you constantly discover places where you would have liked to stay a little longer.
In the next part of our Switzerland trip, the next adventure awaits you. Then we will continue to explore more impressive landscapes and sights of the Swiss Alps.
Have you ever visited the Gelmerbahn or the Furka Pass yourself? Feel free to write it in the comments – we look forward to your experiences and tips!
Until the next adventure!
Kirsten, Robin and Don
Wickie On Tour 🚐🐺
✨ Looking for more Swiss adventures?
Our journey through the Swiss Alps continues, of course. In the next part, we'll take you along for more exciting discoveries through one of Europe's most beautiful mountain regions. Look forward to new landscapes, impressive views, and more unforgettable moments with our motorhome, the quad, and, of course, Husky Don.
➡️ Read on: Switzerland Part 5 – [Title and link to be added]
📍 Have you ever been to the Grimsel Pass?
Feel free to tell us in the comments!
- Have you ever driven the Grimsel Pass by motorhome, motorcycle, or car?
- Which Alpine pass in Switzerland has impressed you the most so far?
- Would you prefer to drive over the Grimsel Pass in spring with the snow walls or in summer?
We look forward to your experiences and tips!
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