Gelmersee is a region in the Bernese Oberland of the Swiss Alps, characterized by its dramatic alpine scenery, majestic mountain peaks, and the vivid turquoise waters of its hydroelectric reservoir. The terrain offers a diverse landscape for outdoor activities, ranging from rugged alpine paths to challenging mountain roads. This area provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and more.
The Gelmersee region offers a variety of outdoor activities and routes for different skill levels. With 6 routes across several sports like hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and more, there are options for many outdoor enthusiasts. More than 37,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.72 out of 5 stars. Hikers can explore trails ranging from the popular lake circuit to more challenging ascents to alpine huts, often featuring waterfalls and natural rock formations. For those interested in cycling, the surrounding area provides rugged mountain biking trails with significant elevation changes, as well as scenic road and touring cycling routes along well-maintained mountain passes. To explore specific activities, consult guides such as Hiking around Gelmersee, MTB Trails around Gelmersee, or Road Cycling Routes around Gelmersee.
73
Routes
4.7
(603)
Average rating
7141
People visited

4.7
(98)
788
hikers
13.3km
05:45
590m
590m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.9
(112)
829
hikers
7.76km
03:25
360m
360m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.9
(57)
501
hikers
4.61km
01:47
130m
120m
Hard hike. Great for any fitness level. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(58)
444
hikers
9.74km
04:14
560m
560m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.6
(16)
842
riders
64.8km
04:15
2,000m
2,000m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(4)
339
riders
39.2km
02:26
1,090m
1,090m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

36
riders
12.2km
00:49
410m
410m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
31
riders
26.1km
01:44
820m
820m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.8
(12)
379
riders
70.7km
05:46
2,220m
2,220m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(18)
386
riders
29.0km
01:47
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(11)
95
riders
111km
08:11
2,400m
2,400m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
121
riders
23.8km
02:03
870m
870m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.9
(26)
296
riders
36.5km
04:09
1,350m
1,350m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.8
(4)
96
riders
38.6km
03:45
1,270m
1,270m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.5
(6)
74
riders
18.0km
01:02
100m
100m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
31
riders
22.8km
02:43
900m
900m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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39
hikers
5.38km
02:19
240m
240m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.5
(8)
35
hikers
13.1km
05:41
590m
590m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(6)
17
hikers
7.60km
03:22
350m
350m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(2)
23
hikers
13.4km
05:46
640m
640m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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12
runners
8.25km
01:34
490m
490m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

11
runners
11.3km
02:25
810m
810m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5
runners
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

6
runners
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Gelmersee offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Mountaineering, and Jogging. The region features 6 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.72 out of 5 stars from more than 37,000 visitors. For more details, refer to guides such as Hiking around Gelmersee or Cycling around Gelmersee.
A popular hiking trail is the 2.9 mile (4.5 km) loop around Gelmersee, which takes approximately 1 hour 47 minutes. For a more challenging experience, a 3.3 mile (5.4 km) path leads to the Gelmerhütte. Another option is a 1.1 mile (1.8 km) hike from the parking lot up to the lake. More information is available in the Hiking around Gelmersee guide.
The region surrounding Gelmersee provides a rugged environment for mountain biking, featuring significant elevation changes and varied terrain. Routes often include unpaved segments and offer views of the Grimsel Pass area. The best time for mountain biking is typically from late spring to early autumn. Explore specific routes in the MTB Trails around Gelmersee guide.
The broader Bernese Oberland region, which includes Gelmersee, offers numerous opportunities for road and touring cycling. Well-maintained mountain roads and passes, such as the Grimsel Pass, provide challenging and scenic routes. The dramatic alpine scenery and numerous lakes make it a rewarding region for cyclists. Guides like Road Cycling Routes around Gelmersee provide more details.
Gelmersee is known for its vivid turquoise waters, surrounded by majestic mountains and glaciers. Hiking trails feature waterfalls and a distinctive natural rock archway. Nearby, the Handeckfall Bridge is a suspension rope bridge hanging 70 meters above the Handeck gorge, offering views of the Aare River and Handeck waterfall.
The Gelmerbahn is one of Europe's steepest open-air funiculars, with a maximum gradient of 106%. This 12-minute ride provides access to Gelmersee and offers expansive views during its ascent. It was originally constructed to transport materials for the dam and later adapted for tourism.
The 2.9 mile (4.5 km) loop trail around Gelmersee is generally considered an easy walk, though some sections are rocky and narrow. This trail is suitable for families, offering panoramic views of the alpine landscape. For more options, consult the Family-friendly hikes around Gelmersee guide.
Gelmersee is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 37,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.72 out of 5 stars. This high rating reflects the quality of the outdoor experiences available.
Komoot offers several guides for Gelmersee, including Hiking around Gelmersee, Family-friendly hikes around Gelmersee, and MTB Trails around Gelmersee. Other guides cover road cycling, touring cycling, mountaineering, and running trails. These resources provide detailed information for planning outdoor adventures.
Information and booking for the Gelmerbahn, which provides access to Gelmersee, are managed by Grimselwelt. The official website for current information, ticket prices, and operating hours is grimselwelt.ch. For direct inquiries, the phone number is +41 33 982 26 26.
Yes, there are easy hiking options suitable for beginners around Gelmersee. The loop trail around the lake is generally considered accessible, though some sections are rocky. For more specific recommendations, the Easy hikes around Gelmersee guide provides suitable routes.
The best time for most outdoor activities, including mountain biking, is typically from late spring to early autumn, generally June to October, when trails are snow-free. During warmer months, wildflowers also adorn the landscape. Specific conditions may vary, so checking local information is advisable.

