Paragliding Glecksteinhütte

At an altitude of approximately 2300 meters, with a height difference of 760-1270 meters, this paragliding site offers a medium difficulty level. The hike to the launch site takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on your pace, and provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a meal at the hut while taking in views of the Eiger North Face and Mönch. For flights, you can contact Flugschule Jungfrau for more information. This tour is one of the most scenic and spectacular routes I've ever taken. Starting from Grindelwald, you are greeted with phenomenal views. There are plenty of parking spaces in Grindelwald, but they are all paid, and bus fares are even higher. You can shorten the hike by 500 meters in altitude by taking the bus (line "Große Scheidegg") from the train station to the "Abzweigung Glecksteinhütte" stop. Alternatively, you can drive to this stop and park there, but you must land nearby, which is theoretically possible but features sloping terrain. Check beforehand! Another starting point is the Hotel Wetterhorn, about 300 meters below, where you can also park for a fee. From there, follow the yellow-marked path (watch out for mountain bike trails nearby!). The only reliable water source until the hut is between the bus stop Glecksteinhütte and the wall entry. The path from Hotel Wetterhorn does not pass directly by this water source. From Grindelwald/train station parking, follow the road towards "Große Scheidegg"/Hotel Wetterhorn or the hiking signs towards Engi or Gletscherpfad. You should reach Hotel Wetterhorn, where the first official SAC hiking sign for this hut is located. Upon reaching the north wall of the Wetterhorn massif, you might feel intimidated by the steep path ahead. Don't worry, there is a trail, but it is very exposed and not always equipped with ropes. This route is for very experienced para-alpinists who are extremely sure-footed and free from vertigo. The SAC warns about this at the tour's start. Avoid this tour if the rock is wet or covered in snow. If conditions are right, it will be a beautiful, varied hike with views of several four-thousanders and a glacier tongue. The glacier occasionally calves, adding dramatic sound effects to your hike. The path initially follows the north wall on the "Ischpfad" until you reach the corner above the disused cable car station "Engi." From here, you enter the glacier gorge, losing the impressive view of the Eiger North Face and Mönch but gaining views of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and Lauteraarhorn. If you encounter a moderate south wind at "Zybachs Platten," consider turning back and hiking up the opposite Firsten. This gorge is prone to strong south winds. My first attempt to fly from there failed due to strong south winds, despite good flying conditions on the opposite First. Always check the Föhn potential and high-altitude wind conditions for the Bernese Oberland (Jungfraujoch station, nearby passes). The path becomes less steep but includes smooth rock passages, such as at the Wyssbach waterfall. A rope is installed here, but the rock is very slippery due to water. In summer, this offers a refreshing break, though it's challenging to collect water here. Continue steeply uphill to an alternative launch site at about 2100 meters, a grassy knoll, if the wind at the hut is not from the southwest. The hut's flag is visible from here. This spot offers a great view of the glacier tongue and is an excellent rest spot. Regular glacier calving adds to the spectacle. Between the hut and this knoll, there are additional launch options to the south, northwest, and west. However, strong west winds can create turbulence due to the Schreckhorn's ridge. Continue left towards Glecksteinhütte, visible from here, along several switchbacks that gradually flatten. At the hut, you can rest, collect water, and enjoy the view of the four-thousanders or head to the launch site, about a minute southeast of the hut. The launch site is a small grassy area with a few stones, suitable for a large paraglider. The flight over the glacier tongue and gorge posed no danger on this day. If you launch in the afternoon, quickly head to the west flank. By the corner to the north flank above Engi, reliable lift should be found. On good days, you might even soar above the Wetterhorn. Paragliders often cross from the opposite First. In summer, valley wind soaring over the Pfingstegg station is also possible. There are two official landing sites in Grindelwald: one in "Grund" (near the Männlichen valley station) and one at the Firstbahn valley station, closer to the launch site. The latter should be inspected beforehand due to uneven terrain and variable winds. The landing site in Grund should be reachable without thermal assistance. Directions: By car: Bregenz-Walensee-Luzern-Thun-Interlaken; Zurich-Bern-Interlaken; from the south via Gotthard (or Vorderrhein-Oberalppass)-Furkapass-Grimselpass-Interlaken. By train: from the north as per the car route, from the south: Brig-Spiez-Interlaken. Starting point: Grindelwald bus station (or Hotel Wetterhorn or bus stop Abzw. Gleckstein). Height difference: 1270 meters (1089 meters or 760 meters). Duration: 3-4 hours (2.5-3.5 hours or 1.5-2.5 hours). Launch directions: SW-NW. Landing site: Officially in "Grund" and at the First valley station. Hazards: Exposed path; occasional low-flying military aircraft, check beforehand! Maps: Swiss national map 1:50,000, sheet 254T "Interlaken" with hiking trails; Swiss national map 1:25,000, sheet 2520 "Jungfrau-Region"; Kompass 1:50,000, sheet 84 "Jungfrau-Region." Markings: white-red-white, yellow trail markers from Hotel Wetterhorn. Glecksteinhütte (2317 m), open July to September, occasionally in June and October; Tel. 033/853 11 40. Launch site: Launch window: Orientation: SW Difficulty: Medium Height: 2320 m Cable car: No Coordinates: 8.09800849, 46.62443888 Hiking time: 180 min From Grindelwald, take the post bus towards Gr. Scheidegg to the Lauchbühl stop. From there, follow the marked mountain path to the hut. The hike takes about 3 hours. The launch site is 60 meters to the right of the Glecksteinhütte, a steep meadow where the glider can be laid out flat. Some stones are present in the meadow. Launch towards the glacier in the fall line. It is a mountain launch site with occasional side winds. Quieter during autumn days! Thermals start along the terrain or cross to Mettenberg over Pfingstegg. Usage is free. The local club Jungfrau Tächi manages the site. Suitability: Normal launch time 11:00 - 18:00. Thermals from 12:00. Mountain launches require significant flying experience and launch confidence. Ideal for a 2-day group trip: hike to the hut on the first day, dinner, and overnight stay. Enjoy a beautiful morning flight to Grindelwald after breakfast. Also ideal in late summer or autumn! Tel. Glecksteinhütte 033 853 25 18.