Grächen - Gletschertor

It’s a relaxed start: the first section of the route winds gently through the car-free part of Grächen. On wide, mostly tarmac paths, you can ease into the walk and enjoy the first views of the mountains. Simply follow the signposts towards Gasenried and you’ll soon find yourself immersed in the refreshing larch forest. This is where your adventure begins, with a slow but steady climb. The air grows fresher, the paths more natural – and, little by little, more challenging. The climb gets steeper and every bend makes you look forward to the next.

The higher you climb, the more alpine the scenery becomes: scree lines your path and you can already hear the rush of glacial water as it winds its way down into the valley. With every metre of altitude, the views become more impressive. The surrounding mountains reveal their most beautiful side, and the Ried Glacier comes ever more into view. At around 2,030 metres above sea level, the moment you’ve been hiking towards arrives: the spectacular ‘Glacier Gate’ in the midst of the impressive high-mountain landscape.