Stunning Rhone Glacier Hike
Insider tip hike with breathtaking views over the Rhone glacier and an exceptional mountain panorama just for you (without any people).
Text and pictures by Marc Gottwald
Hike Furka Pass-Rhone Glacier
– One of the most magical views in the mountains. AND: You will feel really free on this hike.
– The last 10 minutes are on technically demanding terrain (large stones), so only for experienced hikers.
– Due to snow, the hike is recommended from mid-July at the earliest
– Starting and finishing point: Furka Pass car park / bus station
– Duration: 2.5h; Condition: medium; Technique: heavy
One of the most incredible secret hikes in Switzerland with a view over the Rhone Glacier
Have you ever wanted to feel really free? Then you absolutely have to do this hike in the Swiss Alps. You will be awarded with one of the most breathtaking views over the Rhone Glacier. Simply incredible.
After a scenic drive by car or post bus up the Furka Pass (runs 2-3 times a day in summer and autumn), you start this incredibly beautiful 2.5 hour hike to the Rhone Glacier at the main Furka Pass car park at 2429m.
Let’s go
Take the hiking trail towards the Rohne Glacier and enjoy a mountain panorama at its best!
Our Switzerland is simply beautiful! In the background you can see the Grimsel pass road and the Totesee lake.
Soon you will pass a cross. Be sure to follow the normal hiking trail here (goes down about 50 meters in altitude). We wanted to take a shortcut, which ended up taking much longer.
Don’t miss this point!
Important: after about 20 minutes you will come to a former military bunker (has two more buildings next door that look like a stable).
Now you have to make a hairpin bend about 300 meters before the military bunker to get to this unique viewpoint.
So here you leave the official hiking trail, but the trail is just as good as a hiking trail! And that’s exactly why there won’t be any people at this brilliant view of the Rhone Glacier, because everyone else only sees the glacier from below. Now follow the path for about 45 minutes. The last 10-15 minutes are very stony and technically rather demanding.
One of the most impressive views just for you
Breathtaking! Impressive! Pure nature! The effort is well worth it when you see this unique view over the Rhone glacier, the mountains and the place where the Rhone rises. Theoretically, you could even pitch your tent on wooden planks that are installed.
Here is the best photo spot of the hike! Hence, you can clearly see how the glacier tongue has been covered with a white cloth so that the ice melts less quickly.
Interesting: You can’t see it very well, but there were yellow tents on the glacier (at least for me), which were installed by the ETH for glaciological research. This research has a long tradition at the university and very interesting pictures can be found of how the Rhone glacier used to look (eg in 1865), including a video.
The Rhone glacier has lost massive length and mass in recent decades
Since the glaciers store a lot of water in the form of ice, scientists are discussing whether new reservoirs can compensate for the water storage. By the way: The picture shows a natural meltwater lake of the Rhone glacier.
You hike back along the same path. The hike is accompanied by colorful mountain flowers.
After an hour or so you’re back at the car.
As a tip, you could theoretically continue on an alpine trail (blue) along the Rhone glacier, which I would definitely do next time.
By the way: just a 3-minute drive from the Furka Pass is the famous Hotel Belvedere and the Rhone glacier ice grotto, a definite must for every photographer, the photo subject par excellence.
