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The evening alpenglow on the Grand Combin (ssss1)

The Grosser Aletschgletscher in the Bernese Alps is the longest glacier in the Alps (Chapter 5:10)

5: Bernese Alps

North of the Rhône valley the Bernese Alps may be slightly lower than the neighbouring Pennines, but they can certainly equal them with opportunities for climber, walker and skier. The western half of the range (St Maurice to the Gemmipass) offers plenty of scope for walkers, and mostly low-altitude climbing up to and slightly above 3000m. The main peaks are Les Diablerets (3210m), Wildhorn (3257m) and Wildstrubel (3243m), the latter renowned for its Plaine Morte glacier. East of the Gemmipass will be found a cluster of 4000m summits, with the imposing 4273m Finsteraarhorn being the highest of them all. Others include the Schreckhorn, Fiescherhorn, Mönch and Jungfrau, while the Eiger falls short by just 30m. Quality rock climbs can be found in most districts, but glaciers are also a major feature. The Grosser Aletschgletscher is the largest in the Alps, but it’s just one of several ice sheets that fill the heart of the range. Not surprisingly ski touring is popular, while Wengen, Mürren and Grindelwald, among others, gather winter crowds for downhill skiing. In summer several excellent hut-to-hut walking tours can be made.