Blatten Switzerland landslide is very sad, any impacts to tourism?
Bheemesh started a thread expressing concern about the impact of a recent landslide in Blatten on tourism in the Jungfraujoch region. He asked for guidance for tourists planning to visit in the coming weeks, emphasizing the need for updates on safety and transport options.
- The Jungfrau Region remains unaffected by the Blatten landslide, so tourism in Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen is fine.
- Visitors are encouraged to use the Swiss Travel Pass for convenient and eco-friendly travel options throughout Switzerland.
AI-generated summary-
Hello,
It is very sad to hear the catastrophe hitting Blatten village and our prayers with the local folks.
Meanwhile has this impacted any tourism in the Jungfraujoch region (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and around places)?Any guidance for tourists visiting in coming week(s)?
Thanks & Regards,
Bheemesh
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Hi Bheemesh,
It is very sad indeed! While we can’t say this particular event is a direct consequence of climate change, it’s this type of thing that is happening more and more due to melting glaciers and collapsing permafrost.
Let’s travel responsibly. Don’t fly if there’s an alternative. If you must, compensate for emissions. Take the wonderful Swiss (and other) trains, which are not only climate-friendly but a pleasant way to travel as well.
Tourism consequences because of what happened in Blatten are limited to the Lötschen Valley at the moment. The Jungfrau Region is on the other side of the mountain range, so no issues there as far as I know. The nearest train line (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/lotschberg-mountain-railway/) is running normally currently.
Hello everyone
I think we need to get this matter into proportion. The Swiss have an enormous expertise in predicting landslides, avalanches etc. At Blatten, the village was evacuated nine days before the landslide. Two years ago a similar thing happened at the small GRAUBUNDEN village of Brienz (not to be confused with village near Interlaken). Again, the village had been evacuated long before the landslide.
Back in 1991 there was a massive landslide near RANDA north of Zermatt. The end result is still visible today. But the Swiss knew that it was coming, and had everyone out of the way. That landslide meant that both the road and the railway had to be diverted.
In the Blatten situation, the village is almost at the end of the valley. The local bus service is no doubt suspended. But that is the only impact on Swiss public transport.
Roger
Thank you Arno for your suggestions and i appreciate and reflect on your opinion on effect of emissions to nature.
We will make sure will cover Swizz trip with trains and indeed that’s highlight of the Swiss tourism.Thanks & Regards,
Bheemesh
Thank you Roger for the history details and the prediction model of Swiss Govt agencies are indeed of high standards and the timely alerting and evacuation really helps.
Thanks for the updates on local transport in and around the regions.Regards,
Bheemesh
My prayers to those affected. It’s great to hear that the Swiss system for alerts and predictions works well. A beautiful country. My wife and I are excited about our first visit.
Wig
A quick update: the rock and ice that came down formed a dam that is blocking the river. The dam may collapse soon, causing flooding downstream in the Lötschen Valley and perhaps beyond. I’m not sure if this could be a risk to train routes. If a station would be affected it would be Goppenstein on the Lötschberg Mountain Railway: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/lotschberg-mountain-railway/. Possibly Gampel-Steg on the main route Montreux – Visp – Brig as well. The main north-south line Spiez-Visp should not be affected.
Thanks Arno. Keep us posted. I have included Rogers suggested routes for Glacier express alternate in our iterinary which includes the Montreux – Visp route as well, and Zermatt from Montreux with R42 / R41 scenc trains and also the other way around from Zurich via Chur – Brig – Lotschberg scenic train. So we will need to find alternatives for 2 full days if iterinary. Switzerland does have plenty of options. Nature is Nature, thats why its beautiful, Switzerland seems to have it in abundance. We tourists are very grateful.
Wig
Hi Wig,
The risk of flooding is lowered but still present. Should any public transportation schedules get affected, the timetable will reflect that and suggest alternative routes: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
Hello Wig
The key point in Arno’s earlier post is If a station would be affected it would be Goppenstein on the Lötschberg Mountain Railway:
Look at a map which shows the Berner Oberland and the Rhone Valley to the south of the Berner Oberland.
There are now two railway lines heading south of the busy junction at Spiez. There is the OLD highly scenic Lotschberg Line opened in 1913 which goes via Kandersteg and Goppenstein. Between Kandersteg and Goppensetein there is a 15 kms (9 miles) tunnel. From Goppenstein to Brig there is a spectacular descent into Brig. (Sit on the right.) It is this line which would be blocked if the (feared) flood happened..
Nowadays the only regular passenger service on the old line is an hourly Bern-Spiez-Kandersteg-Brig train, numbered RE1. If there were a flood at Goppenstein, the RE1 would no doubt terminate at Kandersteg.
People wishing to travel between Bern or the Berner Oberland and Brig and the Rhone Valley would still be able to make the journey. They would take the alternative Lotschberg Base Tunnel route. The Lotschberg Base Tunnel opened in 2007 and is 35 kms (22 miles) long. This base tunnel, much less scenic but much faster than the old route, is used 1-2 times per hour by fast Inter City Trains (IC6 and IC8) going south to VISP and Brig. The flooding should not affect the Base Tunnel.
(Not relevant to Wig, but relevant to other members of this forum, the car-carrying trains which shuttle between Kandersteg and Gppenstein would have to be suspended if Goppenstein were flooded.)
We all of course hope and pray that the feared flood does not happen.
Roger
Thanks Arno and Roger. As always the first thoughts and prayers are the locals who got affected. Their plight is the primary concern. Hopefully this will get resolved soon.
Wig
The immediate danger is over and part of the Lötschen Valley is open again. The village of Blatten (what’s left of it) remains closed.
Prayers to all affected. Glad things are getting better
Glad to hear the valley is bouncing back to normal and prayers for safety of the localities and visitors.
Regards,
Bheemesh
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