Haslital Gorges + Gelmerbahn
✓ Verified against the agency · SLFThe eastern adventure route: train to Meiringen, walk Aare Gorge, add Reichenbach Falls, continue by Meiringen-Innertkirchen train and PostBus to Handegg for the Gelmerbahn. Gelmerbahn reaches a 106 percent gradient and gives access to Gelmersee, where the signed lake circuit is a 4.7km, 2h T3 mountain walk requiring sure-footedness.
Safety classification
Gelmerbahn: 6 June–25 October 2026 (Jun/Sep/Oct 9:00–16:00, Jul/Aug 8:36–16:48). Aare Gorge: west entrance 3 April–1 November 2026, east entrance 9 May–1 November 2026; the gorge cannot be walked end-to-end before 9 May. Everything is closed in winter — there is no safe off-season access to either site. Old snow can linger on the Gelmersee circuit in early June.
- ▲Gelmerbahn is reached only via steep stairs and requires sure-footedness and freedom from vertigo per the operator; 106% gradient, Europe's steepest open funicular
- ▲High-alpine weather changes rapidly at Gelmersee (~1,850 m) — the operator requires sturdy footwear and weatherproof clothing
- ▲2026 construction: the dam walkway is closed and access uses steep stairs and provisional paths (~15 min from parking)
- ▲Reservoir water levels fluctuate with power-station operations — stay on the marked circuit
- ▲Gorge walkways can close at short notice in floods or high water
Aare Gorge is the verified Haslital gorge on this itinerary (secured tunnels and walkways, easy). The Gelmersee circuit is a medium-grade high-alpine loop at ~1,850 m — the day-hike rating comes from it, not the gorge. Book Gelmerbahn online (24 seats per trip, sells out); exchange tickets 15 min before departure. Rosenlaui Gorge was not verifiable from its operator site — if the itinerary includes it, verify separately. Do not miss the last descent (15:48/16:36).