Grimselsee Lake

Address: Grimselsee, Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Grimselsee is a high-alpine reservoir in the Canton of Bern near Grimsel Pass in the Bernese Oberland. It is an artificial lake formed for hydroelectric power and water storage.

The lake and its dam sit amid steep alpine scenery and are a focal point for scenic driving, short hikes and viewpoints along the Grimsel Pass road. The setting includes dam infrastructure and mountain-rimmed shorelines rather than recreational beaches.

The lake was created in the 20th century as part of regional hydroelectric development and forms one element of the Grimsel power complex. It is operated together with nearby reservoirs and power stations to regulate river flow and generate electricity.

Grimselsee lies adjacent to the Grimsel Pass road in the Bernese Alps, on the watershed between the cantons of Bern and Valais; the pass connects the upper Aare valley with the Goms and is reached from towns such as Innertkirchen and Meiringen.

• Seasonal access: The reservoir is part of the Grimsel hydroelectric system and is reached by the Grimsel Pass road, which is closed in winter months.

Grimselsee is reached via the Grimsel Pass road from either the Haslital (near Meiringen) or from Guttannen/Innertkirchen in the Bern Oberland. The pass is seasonal and typically open in summer; check local road and weather conditions before travel.

• Walk the lakeshore early morning for mirror reflections of the Blüemlisalp and surrounding peaks.
• If driving, access from the Grimsel Pass road provides dramatic approaches but is seasonal-check before making plans.
• Combine the visit with hydroelectric heritage sites in the region; the Grimsel and nearby dams are part of the landscape's industrial history.