Where nature works with all its power.

Luzius Gartmann is one of the guides who introduce this world to visitors. He has been a visitor guide for over 10 years and accompanies groups, school classes and even individuals through the Oberhasli power plants.

The “Grimsel Underground” tour is particularly popular. It takes you through a labyrinth of tunnels that forms part of the power plant under Lake Grimsel and to other natural treasures that would otherwise remain hidden from view. At the start of the tour, visitors ride the Hospiz cable car over the construction site of the growing Spitallamm and down into the subterranean world. Slowly the huge gate opens, affording entry to the Grimsel 1 power station in a few minutes’ walk. A bus takes us further into the narrow, almost two-kilometre-long tunnel. The route runs directly under Lake Grimsel. Realising that there are almost 100 million cubic metres of water above you is quite an uncanny feeling. This mass of water drives the turbines in the Grimsel 2 pumped storage power plant, achieving peak performance. Renewable energy is generated for around one million people here. 

“There is has something archaic about it, and I love the nature here”, says Luzius. Eight works railways are also open to visitors of the Grimsel region. It’s also a wonderful starting point for some gorgeous hikes. From the Historic Alpine Hotel Grimsel Hospiz, the Sidelhorn railway and the Oberaar cable car will whisk you to the hiking paradise in just a few minutes. For example, they allow a circular hike over the ridge of the Sidelhorn. If you’re not put off by the 3.5-hour hike, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Bernese High Alps and the Goms. From here, the ice masses of the Oberaar and Unteraar glaciers also reveal themselves in all their glory. The descent leads past idyllic Lake Trübten and opens up views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.