Easy hike in the Grimsel area: on the ViaSbrinz from Grimsel Hospiz to Handegg

During our three-day hiking trip to the Grimsel area, we explored not only two impressive alpine mountain tours, but also the more leisurely hiking trails. We were particularly taken by a section of the historic ViaSbrinz: the stage between Grimsel Hospiz and Handegg is a delightful “appetizer” of this old trade route and ideal for anyone looking for a shorter yet still rewarding hike.

The ViaSbrinz at a Glance

The ViaSbrinz (SchweizMobil Route No. 40) is a Swiss cultural hiking trail that follows historic mule tracks along old trade routes. It leads in five daily stages from Stansstad in Central Switzerland over the Joch Pass, Grimsel Pass, and Gries Pass to Ponte in Italy’s Val Formazza. The individual stages are long and physically demanding. For example, in the fourth stage, the Grimsel Pass is crossed in one day over a distance of 24 kilometers and 1,450 meters of elevation gain.

On the 4th Stage

For the third day in the Grimsel area, we had actually come up with a different plan: we wanted to hike up from the Handegg, Kunzentännlein PostBus stop to Lake Gelmer and do the classic lake circuit including a side trip to the Gelmer Hut. For the descent, we had prudently booked a slot on the Gelmerbahn in advance – without a reservation, you hardly stand a chance on weekends.

Unfortunately, the weather didn’t develop in our favor. In addition, when we looked into the details, we discovered that the Gelmer Hut was closed this season due to renovation work. This would have shortened the tour considerably, and we would have had to wait a long time for our slot at the top.

So we quickly changed our plans: instead of the Gelmersee tour, we hiked a section of the ViaSbrinz. Conveniently, this trail passes right by our accommodation, the Grimsel Hospiz – and thanks to its proximity to the Grimsel Pass road and several PostBus stops along the way, it can be planned quite flexibly.

On Historic Mule Tracks through the Grimsel Area

I secretly feared that the hike would be accompanied by the constant engine noise of the Grimsel Pass road. And yes, in some places the ViaSbrinz runs within sight of the road. But it quickly became clear that the trail has much more to offer. Time and again, it moves well away from the pass road so that you hardly notice it, and instead you become completely immersed in the fascinating Grimsel landscape.

Particularly impressive is the section along the Räterichsbodensee, where you pass huge, smoothly polished granite slabs. The historic stone arch bridges we crossed to span the young and wild Aare also add beautiful highlights along the route.

After just under two hours of hiking – we were a bit faster than the times indicated on the signposts – we drew an entirely positive conclusion: a varied point-to-point hike that, thanks to its easy route and fascinating scenery, is also great for children.

Key Facts for the Grimsel Hospiz – Handegg Hike

From the hiking map below, you can see the route from Grimsel Hospiz to the Guttannen, Breitwald PostBus stop (about 15 minutes below Handegg). The route follows the signposted ViaSbrinz trail. It is entirely a white-red-white marked mountain hiking trail (T2). The path is well signposted throughout, technically not particularly difficult, and has no exposed sections. Nevertheless, the route runs through alpine terrain – good footwear is therefore essential.

Starting Point	PostBus stop Grimsel, Hospiz (1,960 m a.s.l.)
Accessibility	reachable by public transport
Distance	8.3 kilometers
Elevation Change	↗ 166 m ↘ 813 m
Duration	2:30 h
Destination	PostBus stop Guttannen, Breitwald (1,311 m a.s.l.)
Refreshments	Handeck Hotel & Nature Resort

Practical Tips for Your Hike on the ViaSbrinz

• The starting point of the hike, the Grimsel Hospiz (partner link) is accessible by public transport during the summer season from early June to mid-October (Grimsel Pass line, bus no. 161 from Meiringen).
• You can bridge the waiting time for the next PostBus connection at the Handeck Restaurant along the way. Right next to the hotel, as a connection to the valley station of the Gelmerbahn, there’s also a great suspension bridge to discover.
• The best time for a hike on the ViaSbrinz is from mid-June to early October. Check the opening times in advance and consult the timetable via the SBB app. The Grimsel Pass is only seasonally accessible by public transport (see above).
• The polished Aare granite at the Räterichsboden reservoir is also a popular climbing area. You can find more information here: Climbing Area Seenplatten.
• If you want to combine your trip to the Grimsel area with other, technically somewhat more demanding mountain hikes, I can recommend the hike to Lake Grätli or the summit tour to the Sidelhorn.