The Grimsel Pass in Switzerland, usually open from June to October, links the Hasli Valley in Bernese Oberland with the Goms Valley in the Valais. On the Bernese side it leads up through a wild and rugged landscape characterized by grey-green granite and reservoirs with mighty dams, used for hydroelectricity, to the pass head at 2165 metres altitude. It then snakes down on the Valais side to Gletsch in Obergoms.
At one time the narrow and dangerous pass was used by traders and pack animals to transport Swiss cheese to Piedmont in northern Italy. In turn, the same route was used to bring, wine, rice, maize and leather into Switzerland.
Today’s well-developed road is part of the popular Grimsel, Furka and Susten three-passes tour, much loved by motorists, motorcyclists and even bikers with enough puff and stamina. One attraction en route on the Bernese side is the Gelmerbahn (funicular) pictured below. Once used to transport power station employees, it is the steepest funicular in the world, with a gradient of 106%. The Handeckfalls hanging bridge, also pictured below, is another heart-stopping attraction. Definitely not for those of a nervous disposition!