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When and where can we see snow melt water streams cascading down the mountains / hills. i have seen, during my last trip in the winter from Visp to zermatt, many frozen tongues of ice all along on the mountains side, especially from St.Niklaus to Zermatt. do they melt in Spring / summer and one can see water streams?.Are there many places like this elsewhere in Switzerland ?
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Hi bvn11,
Welcome to MySwissAlps!
I think the sights of frozen water or streams are pretty common in the mountains during the winter months. But if you are looking to see melting glaciers, the two most recommended ones are the Aletsch Glacier and the Morteratsch Glacier. It is possible to hike close to the glaciers in the warmer months.
You can access the Aletsch from Bettmerhorn (http://www.myswissalps.com/bettmerhorn) or Eggishorn (http://www.myswissalps.com/eggishorn)
You can find more information about the Aletsch Glacier from the official website: http://www.aletscharena.ch/nature-en/the-great-aletsch-glacier/
The Morteratsch Glacier is located near Pontresina in Eastern Switzerland. Find details to get there here: http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/morteratschglacier
Hope that helps!
Anna
Anna
My message may not have been clear. I am interested in seeing cascading water streams on the mountain side / hill side. I gave an example of St.Niklaus to Zermatt to find out if we get see such streams in spring / summer. Appreciate if you can tell me which month, more specifically which week would be preferable to see such streams ( mini waterfalls ) and which places. Thanks
Hi bvn11,
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
If you are interested in viewing waterfalls, I suggest you start your search in Lauterbrunnen (http://www.myswissalps.com/lauterbrunnen). There are supposedly more than 70 waterfalls in the area but the most visited ones are the Trümmelbachfalls and the Staubbach Falls.
The best time to experience the waterfalls is in mid to late spring when the temperature starts warming up and the snow starts melting. Here is good guide about the best time to visit, providing a good indicator to which month is best for which activity: http://www.myswissalps.com/besttimetovisit
Here is a good example of an easy hike featuring a waterfall at the end: http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/lauterbrunnen-stechelberg
The trail and boat ride combo to Giessbach waterfalls on Lake Brienz (http://www.myswissalps.com/lakebrienz) is also highly recommended; http://www.myswissalps.com/hiking/giessbach-iseltwald
I’m sure other forum members would be able to offer their personal insights and suggestions of similar destinations.
Regards,
Anna
Hi Anna- this is useful link:
And,
http://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7019166/lauterbrunnen-waterfall-tour
And, in Spring, the Rhine falls are swollen with snow melt.
They meet the requested specifications, more or less. ;-(
June is a good month. Specifying a particular week expects too much knowledge of consistency in fine detail of the weather, too far in advance. 😉
Slowpoke
Slowpoke
Thanks Anna and slowpoke for responding and providing links for further reading, but it still has not answered my fundamental question. I was not enquiring about the waterfalls like staubbach in lauterbrunnen or Rhein falls. My question was to do with streams running on the hill side, for ex : while driving on Grimsel pass or Furka pass, do we see water streams from snow melt running down on the hill side ?, if yes, which month is the best to see?
Thanks
Why not the Giessbachfaelle on the upper portion?
I’m wondering if you might search for “canyoning.”
?
Slowpoke
Hello bvn11,
Thanks for your question! However, I’m sorry that I don’t fully understand what you have in mind, so I will attach a photo of what I think you are looking for. Are you interested about the various running creeks you have seen?
If not, may I ask you to attach a photo of what you are looking for? I think often pictures are worth a thousand words.
Best regards,
Suzanne
Attachments:
Hi Susanne –
I sse some pictures like that in sites for canyoning:
http://www.explore-share.com/blog/canyoning-switzerland-best-spots/
Slowpoke
Hello Slowpoke,
Thanks for posting that link regarding canyoning in Switzerland. I appreciate your time and expertise on the forum.
Best regards,
Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne. Your suggestion of sending pictures is really thoughtful and will do it shortly
Hi again bvn11,
Sorry my links have not been so helpful. I agree with Suzanne. Please attach a picture of what you are looking for. That would help us be more specific with our recommendations.
Regards,
Anna
Hello,
Do you mean something like this? This is on the way to the Grimselpass (from Innertkirchen) after a day of heavy rain in July. I think you can find this kind of streams in many valleys from May/June untill wintertime. Later in summer depending on the rain…
kind regards,
Mark
Attachments:
Wow Mark! What a spectacular picture!
MarkvW,
Your picture is bang on with i was trying to ask. Based on Suzanne’s suggestion of sending a picture, i was trying to locate a suitable example and send it today. Thanks markvw, your picture is absolutely the correct example. One question though – from your description, it appears that this is after the rains and probably disappear next day, if it does not rain. Would there be similar streams fed by snow melt ( not rain ), if so, where and which month ?. My heartfelt thanks to Anna, Suzanne, slowpoke and others for responding to my request. You guys are simply great in trying to help “smitten by switzerland” persons like me. yes, I am never tired of visiting your lovely country ( I have finished 14 trips till now ) and will always remain my favourite destination
Hi bvn11,
I am glad to provide you with the right picture. If you would like to see streams like this you probably have to visit Switzerland in May or June when the temperature is rising and the snow is melting. But since the weather is variable, one can not point out exactly when this will happen. I think you will find this kind of streams near Grimsel, Lauterbrunnen, Saastal, Zermatt, Lötschental, Simmental and the many valleys of Oberwallis. But there will be many more places that I am not aware about.
Beside Switzerland you certainly can find it in the Raurisertal (Kolm Saigurn and Seidlwinkltal), Hintersee (near Mittersill) and the Gschlößtal (see picture) in Austria….. I hope I do not get banned from this great forum ;-). I love all of the Alps but Switzerland will always be my favourite!
Regards Mark
Attachments:Thanks again markvw. You are confirming the possibility which crossed my mind with regards to Grimsel, Zermatt and other places in Switzerland you mentioned. Let me explore this further. Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to you and all moderators, experts and of course the Forum members
Great advice Mark, thanks! No worries about your tips regarding Austria ;-). We know you’re a big Switzerland fan, and please keep posting your helpful replies! Merry Christmas!
Lucky me that I can stay ;-). I spend 3 weeks this year in Wallis on campsites (Saas Grund and La Fouly)…..so beautiful!!! The campsite in La Fouly must be one of the most beautiful in the world…
I have another 3 weeks ahead next summer, 2 weeks Savognin and 1 week Lago Maggiore. And maybe an extra week in May or June. I have never been in the Alps during spring so perhaps I will do that instead of a week in autumn, which is probably the best season for a visit.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Best regards from the Netherlands
Hi Mark,
thanks for the tip regarding the campsite in La Fouly. We love camping, but we haven’t been there so far, but now I checked it online and will go there next year for sure.
Merry Christmas!
Ildiko
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