Oberaarsee Monastery
Alpine reservoir in Bern used for hydroelectric power
High in the Bernese Alps Oberaarsee is a hydroelectric reservoir beneath the Oberaar Glacier; hikers and mountaineers use it as a base for alpine trails and glacier viewpoints.
Oberaarsee at a Glance#
Address: Oberaarsee, Canton of Bern, Switzerland (alpine reservoir near Grimsel area)
About Oberaarsee#
Oberaarsee is an alpine reservoir in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, formed by damming mountain streams in the Grimsel region. It is part of the high-mountain hydropower landscape in the central Swiss Alps.
The lake lies amid steep glaciated valleys and is surrounded by mountain peaks and moraines typical of the Bernese Oberland. The water body and its dam are used in seasonal hydropower operations and are visited by hikers exploring the Grimsel area.
The reservoir was created by engineering works associated with regional hydroelectric development and is one of several man-made lakes clustered around the Grimsel Pass. Its shoreline and immediate area show modifications related to dam infrastructure and access tracks.
Geographically the lake sits above the main valley floor of the Grimsel region in the Bernese Alps, accessible from mountain roads and trails near the Grimsel Pass and within the broader network of alpine passes connecting central Switzerland.
How to Get to Oberaarsee#
Reachable via mountain roads in the Grimsel/Oberhasli region; nearest larger towns include Meiringen and Andermatt. Access often requires driving on alpine roads and hiking; seasonal closures may apply.
Tips for Visiting Oberaarsee#
- Access typically requires hiking; local trailheads begin near the Oberärwli or Grimsel region - check local alpine maps.
- Prepare for alpine conditions: sudden weather changes, loose scree and cold water if approaching via glacier-fed paths.
- Bring a topographic map or GPS; trails can be faint and signage limited in high-alpine zones.
Best Time to Visit Oberaarsee#
Best visited in summer for road and trail access; check local conditions and closures near high alpine reservoirs.
Weather & Climate near Oberaarsee#
Oberaarsee's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -10°C to 11°C. Abundant rainfall (1254 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -9° - -4° | -14° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 5.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -10° - -4° | -14° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 5.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -9° - -3° | -12° | 98 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 5.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -7° - -1° | -10° | 108 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | -2° - 3° | -4° | 111 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Poor | 1° - 7° | 1° | 115 mm | overcast | 78% | 4.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 5° | 111 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 5° | 113 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.7 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.1 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -6° - -1° | -9° | 108 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 5.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -8° - -3° | -12° | 97 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 5.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
