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Oltscherenalp: mountain enjoyment away from the hustle and bustle

Oltscheren lies high above the valley of the young Aare. The alp can be reached on foot on a very attractive and varied hike.

Haslital Tourismus
CH - 3860 Meiringen
+41 33 972 50 50
haslital.swiss
info@haslital.swiss

From Axalp you can reach Chrutmettli via Farnigen, and from there take a path that is exposed in places and secured on the slopes with a chain to Urserli. The view is spectacular: the Hinterburgsee lake shimmers in the depths. The trail climbs steeply up to the saddle through some very rugged terrain. At some particularly steep and exposed points, wire ropes bolted to the rocks make it easier to climb through.

At the highest point of the tour, the view opens up into the valley of the Oltschibach. The higher areas of the valley may not be entered during the day from Monday to Friday, as the uppermost part at Grätli is used as an aerial firing range.

Passing the alpine huts in Oberfeld, you descend to Bielen, the centre of Alp Oltscheren. The extensive alp has a high diversity of species. The area is also very attractive from a scenic point of view. In view of these high qualities, Oltscherenalp was awarded the cultural landscape prize of the Oberland-Ost region in 2015.

Via Gugger and Zaun, the trail descends to Züünstäg on the valley floor of the Aare, from there via Balm to the centre of Meiringen.

Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
16.41km
Duration
5 hours, 19 minutes
Ascent
550 vm
Descent
1480 vm
Starting Point
Axalp
Ending Point
Meiringen
Top pointToPoint

Details

Difficulty
Moderate
Condition
Experience
Landscape
Altitude
1960m587m
Recommended season
  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

Author Tips

The first part of the hike to Chrutmettli is on the Schnitzlerweg. Wood carvers from Brienz are constantly creating new, original wooden sculptures from tree stumps and trunks. You can see ibexes, chickens, fish and gnarled old men.

Equipment

  • The sun's rays are particularly intense in the mountains. Sun cream with a high protection factor, a sun hat and sunglasses with UV protection should therefore be part of your luggage.
  • Even in summer and in good "starting weather", warm clothing and rain protection are part of the equipment. The onion principle with several layers of clothing is recommended.
  • Day hiking backpack with rain cover
  • Sturdy and comfortable shoes
  • Clothing adapted to the weather and hard-wearing (onion principle)
  • Charged mobile phone
  • Pocket pharmacy
  • Beverages and food
  • Pocket knife

Bergwandern.ch equipment

Safety Guidelines

  • Regularly check the location and compare it with the schedule. In this way, alternatives, shortcuts, demolition, etc. can be considered in good time.
  • In the event of bad weather, turn back in good time or seek shelter. If thunderclouds are gathering, it is advisable to abort the tour as soon as possible.
  • Do not leave the marked paths. Stay on the official hiking trails even if trails look like shortcuts. Some of these paths are not maintained and can end in a dead end.
  • Lost? Stay together as a group and return to the last known point. Wait for better visibility or call for help.
  • Plan enough time and energy reserves for the descent.
  • Slow down and take breaks.
  • Steep grass, scree and snow slopes are safer to tackle on the ascent than on the descent.
  • For the descent, choose the easier option or take the train down to the valley.
  • Avoid herds of cattle calmly and at a sufficient distance. Keep dogs on a leash.
  • In encounters with guard dogs, the following applies: Remain calm so that the dog realises that you are not a danger to the herd. Keep a generous distance from the herd.
  • Allow mountain bikers to pass without obstructing their ride unnecessarily.

Mountain Hiking Check

Directions

Starting Point

Axalp

Koordinates :

Geographic 46.718909 N 8.037733 E

Ending Point

Meiringen

Step by Step Directions

Axalp - Urserli - Oltscheren - Zaun - Meiringen

Getting There

Public transport

Thanks to its central location in Europe, Switzerland is served by international trains from over 12 countries. Within Switzerland, Intercity trains run from Basel and Lucerne directly to the Jungfrau Region. Travellers from Zurich change trains in Bern. The trains run every half hour.

From Interlaken and Lucerne we travel comfortably on the Zentralbahn panorama trains directly to Meiringen. From Brünig-Hasliberg we have several post bus connections at our disposal.

Timetable & Ticket Shop SBB

Getting there

From Basel and Geneva, the fastest route to the Jungfrau Region is via Bern. From Zurich, the route via Lucerne and the Brünig Pass is recommended. The pass is open all year round.

From the south, travel to the Jungfrau Region via the Grimsel or Susten Pass. Both passes are only open in summer. An alternative is the Simplon Pass with subsequent car transport through the Lötschberg tunnel.

Arrival Meiringen

Parking

The municipality of Meiringen has 835 public parking spaces in the village centre and at the valley station of the Meiringen-Hasliberg cable cars. A large multi-storey car park is located in Hasliberg-Wasserwendi directly by the gondola lift to Käserstatt.

Haslital Tourismus
CH - 3860 Meiringen
+41 33 972 50 50
haslital.swiss
info@haslital.swiss

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