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Hiking tour 

Hiking Tour to the Gauli Glacier

  • 21 km
  • 12 h
  • Difficult
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Short info

Starting point
Innertkirchen Post MIB, 2197 m a.s.l.
Endpoint
Innertkirchen Post MIB, 2197 m a.s.l.
Track
21 km
Duration
12 h
Difficulty
Difficult
Ascent
1618 m
Descent
1622 m
Lowest point
884 m a.s.l.
Highest Point
2349 m a.s.l.

The tour

This two-days hiking tour leads into the almost untouched rear Urbach valley. In the first step you climb to Alp Schrätteren through a wet sycamore and spruce forest. Over a second steep step you reach the Lake Mattenalp. From here the trail leads through a rock outcrop and bog landscape to the Gauli hut. On the second day you climb to the View Point Chammliegg. From there starts a mini via ferrata (surefootedness and head for heights is required) down to the Gauli glacier forefield. Through the unique floodplain you reach the waterfalls of the Ürbach and you finally reach through alpine meadows the Lake Mattenalp. From here you can access via the same route back to your starting point in the Urbach valley.

Alternative Route

From the hut directly to the glacier lake (- 1 h) / Access and Descent to Innertkirchen (+ 1,5 h each)

Meals

Gaulihütte

General Tips

Overnight in the Gauli hut (www.gauli.ch) and taxi to Urbach valley from Innertkirchen recommended / The mini via ferrata is exposed and requires absolutely a head for heights and excellent surefootedness. In case of doubts get more information from the hut keeper / The first day ends at 2.205 meter a.s.l. at the Gauli hut.

Note the signage and any information boards on the spot. Further information about the Swiss footpath network and the signposting can be found here.

  • Point of interest

    View Point: Gauli Glacier

    The Gauli glacier has a length of about 6 km, is in an average 1 km wide and covers together with its side glaciers an area of approximat more ...

  • Point of interest

    View Point: Holzfadghirmi

    From Holzfadghirmi you have an excellent view to the Hangendgletscherhorn, the Ränfenhorn and Dossen and to the Engelhörner. Pa more ...

  • Point of interest

    Outwash Plains

    From the deposits of the meltwater larger outwash plains emerged in the glacier forefield, which are subject to permanent changes. Dried more ...

  • Point of interest

    Moorland Gauli

    The forefield of the Gauli glacier encompasses a picturesque mosaic of bogs and rocks: a typical rock outcrop bog landscape. The Pleistoc more ...

  • Point of interest

    Glacier Lake Gauli

    Thanks to the retreat of the Gauli glacier a mighty glacier lake emerged after 1990 in the landscape trough behind the rock outcrop area. more ...

  • Point of interest

    Lake Mattenalp

    The Lake Mattenalp at the end of the Urbachtal jams the water during the summer months from the catchment area of the Gauli glacier. The more ...

  • Point of interest

    Purple Gentian (Holzfadghirmi)

    The purple gentian has a simple, very strong stem axis and gets 20-60 cm high. 1 to 3 purple flowers sit at the top and in the upper leaf more ...

  • Point of interest

    Waterfall Tour

    This lovely circular hike leads from the hut to the viewpoint Chammliegg at 2.427 m a.s.l. Afterward you cross a passage similar to a via more ...

  • Point of interest

    The Gauli Hut

    The Gauli hut is located at 2.205 meters a.s.l. and is served March to May and from June to September. The first hut was built in 1895 an more ...