Route: Gasterntal Nature Reserve
Area: Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
Date of walk: 16th June 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 12.6 miles
Ascent: 900 feet
Weather: mostly sunny
On our last full day at our base in Kandersteg, we decided to visit Gasterntal. This is a beautiful secluded glacial valley and a nature reserve. Access to the valley is an adventure in itself. We booked a place on the regular minibus from Kandersteg and set off on an amazing journey which took us along a narrow track, carved into the cliff face at first, with huge drops to the side. The valley can only be entered via a narrow gorge, and traffic is strictly regulated to allotted times – it would be impossible for two vehicles to pass one another
The minibus continued along the valley track, with huge mountains looming over us on both sides. Eventually we arrived at the end of the road, the small settlement of Selden. Our plan was to walk up the valley towards the Kanderfirn Glacier, and then return to Selden and continue back down to the valley floor
There are two paths up the valley, and we took the one on the right to avoid another group of walkers who had set off at the same time as us. On reaching Heimritx we enjoyed an amazing view up to the Kanderfirn Glacier at the head of the valley, and we decided to continue a little further uphill for a closer look. After a few minutes we reached a large snowfield across the path which barred further progress. We dithered here for a while before taking the safe option of retracing our steps back to Selden
From here we started the long walk down the Gasterntal valley, which was a delight every step of the way. The views on both sides were spectacular, with waterfalls gushing down the mountainsides in various places. The path is well waymarked, and navigation isn’t an issue here. At the narrow entrance to the valley we descended steeply down the gorge, and the deafening roar of the nearby cascades made this a dramatic section of the walk
At last we arrived at the end of Gasterntal. It’s possible to take a bus back from Eggeschwand, but we walked through the village and followed the path back to Kandersteg to end a fantastic walk, one that will live long in our memories
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The end of the road and the start of the walk as the minibus drops us off at Selden, high up in the remote Gasterntal Valley
Looking back to Selden as we head up the valley to see how close we can get to the Kanderfirn Glacier at its head
We follow this easy track
Looking back
The River Kander below, which will be our constant companion for most of the walk
There are still some remaining snowfields
Looking across to the other side of the valley, another group of walkers are following a parallel path
We arrive at Heimritx - the area beyond here is a protected nature reserve
The head of the valley - we press on to see if we can reach the glacier, although had heard that snow barred progress
Zooming in to a waterfall at the head of Gasterntal
We follow a path by the line of trees to the right
Just beyond the trees we arrive at a large snowfield. Not knowing what lay below it we decided to take the safe option and retrace our steps
Looking across the valley, the other group of walkers had encountered a similar obstacle and were debating what to do
Looking back along the valley as we arrive at Heimritx again
Heading for Selden, where we'd started the walk
Selden - we continue along the valley here, as we intend to walk back to our base in Kandersteg
We cross the River Kander via this new suspension bridge
Looking along the Kander
We re-cross the river
The valley narrows, and huge cliffs tower above us on both sides...
The valley widens and gives way to alpine meadows
Waterfalls pouring out of the mountainside
Contorted rock formations
Looking along the River Kander
We arrive at Berghotel Waldhaus...
...and enjoy a glass of beer while gazing back up the valley
We cross the river again, as the valley once again narrows
Looking back...
A very short section along the road, where a noticeboard sets out the time slots which are allocated for traffic
The road bridge over the Kander, not much wider than a car
Looking back to the bridge as we follow a steep path below it
We cross the river below and then climb up the steps below the rock face. This is the natural entrance to the valley, the only other way in is via a small road tunnel
We emerge onto the road once again, here looking back to the tunnel which the minibus had squeezed through earlier
After a few yards we leave the road and continue along a narrow path
Looking up to the cliffs on our right
A view back along the path
At last we reach the valley floor and it's plain sailing from here to Kandersteg
Wild flower meadows
We arrive back in Kandersteg to end a fantastic walk
