Walks around Grindelwald - 3Untergletscher & the Jungfrau |
This is the way into dramatic glacier scenery & there several ways to start & finish. You need to get to Pfingstegg, either by taking the cable car or walking down to the bridge at Führen & walking up. The direct path is rightly marked 'bergweg' or stiff but one can also do a big zig-zag. From Pfingstegg (which means 'Whitsun corner'), you go South above the gorge. There are several cafés at Bäregg & Stieregg. You have to come back the same way but do go past the Banisegg corner although the going gets tough 2km further at the Rötes Gufer. The glaciers are a complete jumble, as you can see below. Going back, if you have time, continue NE past Pfingstegg without descending, to the Obergletscher. Tunnels have been cut into it & worth exploring. The path then goes down to the Hotel Wetterhorn & hence to Grindelwald.
West from the path South of Banisegg |
Close-up |
The Untergletscher looking North. |
Any walker who has done all the previous walks can hire a guide & 'do' the Jungfrau, as there are no climbing difficulties. Competent climbers don't need the guide. I did it just with my 1st wife. You take the train to the Jungfraujoch via Kleine Scheidegg. Walk over to the OberMonchjoch Hut & stay the night. From the Jungfraujoch at 4 in the morning, go down the glacier, heading for an obvious corner of the ridge coming down from the Rotttalhorn. Go round it & up the slope, bearing towards the Rottalhorn. Head West to the Rottalsattel, which is North of the Horn. From the saddle, the route goes straight up to the right to the top. Go back the same way.
The Aletsch Glacier from the Jungfraujoch |
The author on top, with the Eiger & Monch behind him |
The Finsterarrhorn from the Jungfrau |
SW from the Jungfrau. The hills are:- Mi = Mischabel, W = Weisshorn, |
The Blumlisalp from the Jungfrau. Mont Blanc on the |
Contact: Ken Baldry, 17 Gerrard Road, Islington, London N1 8AY +44(0)20 7359 6294 or e-mail him URL: http://www.art-science.com/Ken/Alpine/Grindelwald/grindel3.html
Last revised 28/5/2012 © 1998-2012 Ken Baldry. All rights reserved.