Via Glecksteinhütte | Mountain hiking

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Chrinnenhorn
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Via Glecksteinhütte

Via Glecksteinhütte (Normal route) Chrinnenhorn 2737 m

Difficulty

T4
Ascent

4:15 h, 1280 m
Descent

3 h, 1280 m

A dream for those who are unafraid of heights

A cabin on a marvellous site, high alpine landscapes and an exciting trail with a few delicate passages characterise this tour to Chrinnenhorn. The summit is a relatively easily reachable vantage point in front of the mighty Wetterhorn with a splendid view to the Schreckhorn chain and Grindelwald deep below. However, some experience in alpine terrain is required. As an alternative or an additional tour for a second day we recommend a round trip to Oberer Grindelwaldgletscher, as it is worthwile spending the night in Glecksteinhütte after having mastered the long ascent.

Just a few steps away from Chrinnenhorn. Behind Eiger and Mönch (to the very left) are visible. (09/2014) © Fredy Joss

Across a plateau with rubble towards Chrinnenhorn (at the back) (09/2014) © Fredy Joss

Route description

Bus stop «Abzweigung Gleckstein» – Glecksteinhütte

From the bus stop «Abzweigung Gleckstein» follow the marked mountain hiking trail all the way up to Glecksteinhütte. At Engi (1735 m) the intermediate stop of the aerial cableway to Wetterhorn, planned more than a hundred years ago, but never completed, can be visited. (The passenger cabin stands down in the valley, on the parking lot in front of the Wetterhorn Hotel.) Afterwards you encounter some longer exposed passages. When passing under a little waterfall further on, a little shower can hardly be avoided.

Glecksteinhütte – Chrinnenhorn – Glecksteinhütte

From Glecksteinhütte follow the white-blue-white markings all the way up to Chrinnenhorn. The signpost next to the cabin calls it «Chly Chrinnenhorn». On all bifurcations further on the left trail must be chosen. The trail is on scree and old moraines to a plateau with rubble at ca. 2660 m, then turns left (west) through a depression full of scree, and climbing easily on brittle rock and slippery terrain, one reaches the south-west ridge of Wetterhorn, out of which Chrinnenhorn rises. After a declining slab, which can be overcome by friction climbing, there follows a short (a few metres), very exposed passage on the ridge with a dizzying view down the north-west wall. At the end, scrambling southward round the summit, one reaches the summit, again easier, over a few high steps. There is a splendid view down to the green Grindelwald valley and on to the chains of Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn. Descend the same route to the cabin.

Glecksteinhütte – Haltestelle «Abzweigung Gleckstein»

From the cabin descend the same route back to the bus stop «Abzweigung Gleckstein».

Alternative: round trip Beesibärgli "unterer Weg"

Stay overnight at Glecksteinhütte and make a round trip via Beesibärgli to Oberer Grindelwaldgletscher. It is a nice hike requiring some alpine experience. White-blue-white markings. There are some exposed passages, T4, ca. 3 h. Additional helpful information at www.gleckstein.ch.

Alternative: round trip Beesibärgli "oberer Weg"

It is a nice hike requiring some alpine experience. White-blue-white markings. There are some exposed passages, T4, ca. 3 h. Additional helpful information at www.gleckstein.ch.

Additional information

Departure and arrival point

Trailhead Gleckstein (1557 m)

Bus service only during the summer months.

Get there Google Maps

Grindelwald, Abzw. Gleckstein

Difficulty / Material: The ascent to the cabin is in parts exposed on slabs; do not undertake it in a thunderstorm or in the rain. Scree, slabs and an exposed passage of a few metres on the ridge below the summit require a good head for heights, sure-footedness and experience in alpine terrain.

Waypoints

Glecksteinhütte SAC (2316 m)

Cabin on the way to Chrinnenhorn

Neighbor summit

Gemschberg (2657 m)

From Grosse Scheidegg hike north-west to the bifurcation at P. 2006 and continue north-west and west on the mountain hiking trail until the bridges at P. 2017. Before these bridges ascend pathless on increasingly steep grassy slopes towards the eastern rim of the Gemschberg south-east face. Continue near the rim up to the summit. T4–.