Oberaar Glacier

Distance: 5.2 miles

near Meiringen in The Bernese Oberland
By: Diane Greer

View of the ice cave at the tip of the glacial tongue

View of the ice cave at the tip of the glacial tongue

 

A visit the Oberaar Glacier combines a scenic gondola ride with a great hike that travels through wildflower-filled meadows besides the Oberaar Lake as it ascends the beautiful Oberaar Valley to the tongue of the glacier, set beneath the magnificent cirque at the head of the valley.

  • Distance: 5.2 miles (RT)
  • Elevation: 7,440-ft. at Trailhead
    Maximum elevation - 7,955-ft.
  • Elevation Gain: 515-ft.
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Basecamp: Meiringen
  • Region: The Bernese Oberland

 

Trail Description - Oberaar Glacier

A visit to the Oberaar Glacier combines a spectacular gondola ride with a beautiful hike up the panoramic Oberaar Valley to the tongue of the glacier. The day starts by taking a bus from Meiringen up the beautiful Guttanen Valley to Grimsel Hospiz, a historic hotel near Grimsel Pass. (See Directions to the Trailhead for more information.) Walk behind the hotel toward the Oberaarbahn (gondola station) and enjoy spectacular views up the length of Grimselsee (Lake Grimsel). Massive peaks, including the Finsteraarhorn, Scheuchzerhorn and Escherhorn, fill the skyline beyond the lake while rugged mountains form the ridges rimming both sides of the lake.

Board the Oberaarbahn, a 30-minute long, two-stage gondola, to the Oberaarsee (Lake Oberaar). The first section of the gondola crosses Grimselsee and then ascends over a rugged glacier-scoured landscape of rock and alpine meadows above the south side of the lake. A wall of summits, anchored by the Gasternhoren and the Tieralpistock tower above the Guttanen Valley to the northeast. Ahead, views beyond the head of the Grimselsee evolve and expand to include the Oberaarhorn rising above the glacier-clad cirque at the head of the Oberaar Valley, our destination, along with a sea of summits between the Finsteraarhorn and the Lauteraarhorn.

After changing to a second gondola at the middle station, the panoramic ride continues across the alpine landscape with more views of the peaks rising around and beyond the Grimselsee. Soon the gondola reaches a high point near Baregg (8,196-ft.), where views open up the length of the Oberaarsee (Lake Oberaar) to the Oberaar Glacier spilling down the slopes of the Oberaarhorn and Oberaarrothorn. From the high point, the gondola drops down to the end station near the Oberaar Dam at the east end of the Oberaarsee,

The hike to the glacier’s tongue, starting at the Oberaar Dam, traverses meadows filled with wildflowers along the north side of the lake. The incredible cirque at the head of the valley dominates the view. Near the head of the lake the hike becomes more rugged, ascending a rocky trail to the glacier’s tongue. As the glacier recedes the route to the tongue will change.

Use judgement and do not venture onto the glacier or enter any ice caves without a professional guide. Ice can fall from the glacier at any time. Maintain a safe distance when exploring the area around the glacier’s tongue.

Be sure to pick a beautiful day for this hike and get an early start. The scenic bus ride from Meiringen Bahnhof (Meiringen Train Station) to Grimsel Hospiz takes about 47 minutes. There are a limited number of buses per day. Make sure you know the return schedule so that you do not miss the last bus returning to Meiringen.

To the Oberaar Glacier

From the gondola station at the Oberaarsee (Oberaar Lake), walk to dam and the beginning of the hike. Follow the walkway across the dam to the north side of the Oberaarsee enjoying views of the Oberaarhorn and Oberaarrothorn anchoring the glacier-clad cirque at the head of the lake. On a still morning, the peaks are reflected in the lake.

Reach the end of the dam at 0.3 miles and turn left (west), following the undulating trails through meadows sprinkled with wildflower on the north side of the Oberaarsee. The entire hike features nonstop views of the cirque and the peaks rimming the valley.

At 1.3 miles the meadows give way to a rocky area. Ahead views open to the glacier’s outwash plain, a broad area of sand and gravel deposited by glacial meltwater. Soon the path starts climbing over and around debris left by the retreating glacier.

The upper end of the lake is reached at 2.0 miles. Beyond this point the trail becomes more rugged, ascending along the outwash plain near a rushing steam filled with meltwater. Ahead views open to an ice cave at the tip of the glacier’s tongue.

Boot beaten paths extend the trail up to the glacier’s tongue at 2.6 miles. Use caution and do not enter the ice cave. Maintain you distance from the edge of the glacier where ice can break off and fall at any time. After exploring the area around the tongue, retrace your steps back to the dam and the end station of the Oberaarbahn for a 5.2 miles hike.

Elevation Profile

Elevation Profile of the Oberaar Glacier Hiking Trail

Driving Directions

From Meiringen to Grimsel Hospiz by Bus: A bus runs from the Meiringen Train Staiton (Meiringen Bahnhof) to Grimsel Hospiz, a historic hotel and the Oberaarbahn (gondola to Lake Oberaar). As of 2026 there were 5 buses a day to the Hospiz during the summer. Time for the ride is 47 minutes. Be sure to check the SBB (sbb.ch/en) for the current schedule. The Oberaarbahn (gondola to Lake Oberaar) is located behind the Hospiz near the overlook for the Grimselsee (Lake Grimsel).

It is also possible to drive to the Grimzel Hospiz and the Oberaar Dam, the starting point for the hike.

Driving to Grimsel Hospiz and Lake Oberaar: From Meiringen, get on Route 6, which climbs the Guttannen Valley toward Grimsel Pass. Reach the signed access road for Gimsel Hospiz (about 18 miles). If you wish to take the Gondola to Lake Oberaar, turn right (west) and go up the access road and park at the designated parking area for Grimsel Hospiz. The gondola is located behind the Hospiz near the overlook for the Grimselsss (Lake Grimsel). See the Oberaarbahn website for more information.

If you want to driving to Lake Oberaar instead of taking the gondola, go past the turn off for Grimsel Hospiz. The road now climbs switchbacks to Grimsel Pass. Reach the pass (about 21.5 miles from Meiringen) and turn right (west) on the Panoramastrasse Oberaar to Lake Oberaar. This road is just after the large parking area on the right (west). The Panoramastrasse Oberaar is a timed toll road. At the time of this writing the road was open uphill on the hour for 10 minutes and downhill on the half hour for 10 minutes. Be sure to buy at Parking Ticket online or at the pass. See the Panoramastrasse Oberaar for more information. Note: The road will be closed for the 2026 season due to planned construction.

 

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