| Bernese Alps | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Finsteraarhorn |
| Elevation | 4,274 m (14,022 ft) |
| Listing | Mountains of the Alps over 4000 m |
| Coordinates | 46°32′19″N8°07′38″E / 46.53861°N 8.12722°E /46.53861; 8.12722 |
| Naming | |
| Native name | |
| Geography | |
 Map of Bernese Alps and their location in Switzerland (red) | |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Cantons | |
| Range coordinates | 46°25′30″N7°41′37″E / 46.42500°N 7.69361°E /46.42500; 7.69361 |
| Parent range | Western Alps |
| Borders on | |
| Topo map | Swiss Federal Office of Topographyswisstopo |
TheBernese Alps[1] are amountain range of theAlps located in westernSwitzerland. Although the name suggests that they are located in theBerner Oberland region of thecanton of Bern, portions of the Bernese Alps are in the adjacent cantons ofValais,Fribourg andVaud, the latter being usually namedFribourg Alps andVaud Alps respectively. The highest mountain in the range, theFinsteraarhorn, is also the highest point in the canton of Bern.
TheRhône valley separates them from theChablais Alps in the west and from thePennine Alps in the south; the upper Rhône valley separates them from theLepontine Alps to the southeast; theGrimsel Pass and theAare valley separates them from theUri Alps in the east, and from theEmmental Alps in the north; their northwestern edge is not well defined, describing a line roughly fromLake Geneva toLake Thun. The Bernese Alps are drained by the riverAare and its tributary theSaane in the north, theRhône in the south, and theReuss in the east.
The Bernese Alps are amongst the three highest major subranges of the Alps, together with thePennine Alps and theMont Blanc massif.[2]
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One of the most prominent Alpine ranges, the Bernese Alps extend from the gorge ofSaint-Maurice, through which theRhône finds its way to Lake Geneva, to theGrimsel Pass or, depending on the definition, to the riverReuss (thus including theUri Alps). The principal ridge, a chain that runs 100 kilometres (62 mi) from west (Dent de Morcles) to east (Sidelhorn), whose highest peak is theFinsteraarhorn, forms the watershed between the cantons ofBern andValais. Except for the westernmost part, it is also the watershed between theRhine (North Sea) and the Rhône (Mediterranean Sea). This chain is not centered inside the range but lies close (10 to 15 km) to the Rhône on the south. This makes a large difference between the south, where the lateral short valleys descend abruptly into the deep trench forming the valley of the Rhône and the north, where the Bernese Alps extends through a great part of the canton of Bern (Bernese Oberland), throwing out branches to the west into the adjoining cantons ofVaud andFribourg. There the mountains progressively become lower and disappear into the hillySwiss Plateau.[3] The Bernese Alps have a large influence on the climate of Switzerland: while their north side is very exposed to weather, their south side is protected from it. As a consequence, agriculture consists essentially of dairy farming and cattle breeding on the northern foothills, while on the sunnier southern foothills (Rhone Valley) it also consists of vineyards.
Gemmi Pass is the most central of the major passes through the main chain. It also marks the separation between two distinct sections of the Bernese Alps: the chain west of Gemmi Pass, consisting mainly of foothills with a few large glacier-covered mountains (notably Dent de Morcles,Grand Muveran,Diablerets,Wildhorn andWildstrubel) around 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), and the chain east of Gemmi Pass, consisting mainly of summits around 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) on several subranges, with large valley glaciers between them. The latter section, contrary to the former, has very few foothills and is the most glaciated part of theAlps.[4]
A characteristic in the orography of the Bernese Alps is, that whereas the western portion of that chain consists of a single series of summits with comparatively short projecting buttresses, the higher group presents a series of longitudinal ridges parallel to the axis of the main chain, and separated from each other by deep valleys that form the channels of great glaciers. Thus theTschingel Glacier and theKander Glacier, separate the portion of the main range lying between theGemmi Pass and the Mittaghorn from the equally high parallel range of theDoldenhorn andBlümlisalp on its northern side. To the south, the same portion of the main range is divided from the still higher parallel range whose summits are theAletschhorn and theBietschhorn by theLötschental and theLötschenlücke. To this again succeeds the deep trench through which the lower part of theAletsch Glacier flows down to the Rhône, enclosed by the minor ridge that culminates at theEggishorn.[3]
It is in the central and eastern portions of the range only thatcrystalline rocks make their appearance; the western part is composed almost exclusively ofsedimentary deposits, and the secondary ridges extending through Bern and the adjoining cantons are formed ofjurassic,cretaceous, oreocenestrata.[3]
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The beauty of the scenery and the facilities offered to travellers by the general extension of mountain railways make the northern side of the range, theBernese Oberland, one of the portions of the Alps most visited by tourists. Since strangers first began to visit the Alps, the names ofGrindelwald,Lauterbrunnen, andInterlaken have become famous. But unlike many otherAlpine regions, which have been left to be explored by strangers, this region has been long visited by Swiss travellers and men of science. Among them were the brother Meyer of Aarau andFranz Joseph Hugi. They have explored most of the mountain ranges not very difficult to access, and have climbed most of the higher summits. In 1841,Louis Agassiz, with several scientific friends, established a temporary station on theUnteraar Glacier, and, along with scientific observations on the glaciers, started a series of expeditions. Several mountains in the areaare named after Agassiz and the other explorers. The works ofDesor andGottlieb Studer have been followed by several other publications that bear testimony to Swiss mountaineering activity. Notwithstanding the activity of their predecessors, the members of theEnglish Alpine Club have found scope for further exploits, amongst which may be reckoned the first ascents of theAletschhorn and theSchreckhorn, and the still more arduous enterprise of crossing the range bypasses, such as theJungfraujoch andEigerjoch, which are considered among the most difficult in the Alps.[3]
The Jungfrau-Aletsch area is located in the eastern Bernese Alps in the most glaciated region of the Alps. It was inscribed as aUNESCO World Heritage Site (Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch) in 2001 and further expanded in 2007. Its name comes from theAletsch Glacier and the two summits of theJungfrau andBietschhorn, which constitute some of the most impressive features of the site. The actual site (after the extension) includes other large glacier valleys such as theFiescher Glacier and theAar Glaciers.
The chiefpeaks of the Bernese Alps are:
| Name | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Finsteraarhorn | 4,274 m (14,022 ft) |
| Aletschhorn | 4,194 m (13,760 ft) |
| Jungfrau | 4,158 m (13,642 ft) |
| Mönch | 4,110 m (13,484 ft) |
| Schreckhorn | 4,078 m (13,379 ft) |
| Grosses Fiescherhorn | 4,049 m (13,284 ft) |
| Grünhorn | 4,043 m (13,264 ft) |
| Lauteraarhorn | 4,042 m (13,261 ft) |
| Hinteres Fiescherhorn | 4,025 m (13,205 ft) |
| Gletscherhorn | 3,982 m (13,064 ft) |
| Rottalhorn | 3,971 m (13,028 ft) |
| Eiger | 3,967 m (13,015 ft) |
| Ebnefluh | 3,961 m (12,995 ft) |
| Agassizhorn | 3,947 m (12,949 ft) |
| Bietschhorn | 3,934 m (12,907 ft) |
| Trugberg | 3,932 m (12,900 ft) |
| Klein Grünhorn | 3,912 m (12,835 ft) |
| Gross Wannenhorn | 3,906 m (12,815 ft) |
| Kleines Fiescherhorn | 3,895 m (12,779 ft) |
| Mittaghorn | 3,893 m (12,772 ft) |
| Fiescher Gabelhorn | 3,876 m (12,717 ft) |
| Schönbühlhorn | 3,854 m (12,644 ft) |
| Nesthorn | 3,820 m (12,533 ft) |
| Dreieckhorn | 3,811 m (12,503 ft) |
| Schinhorn | 3,796 m (12,454 ft) |
| Breithorn (Blatten) | 3,784 m (12,415 ft) |
| Breithorn (Lauterbrunnen) | 3,780 m (12,402 ft) |
| Grosshorn | 3,754 m (12,316 ft) |
| Sattelhorn | 3,744 m (12,283 ft) |
| Kranzberg | 3,741 m (12,274 ft) |
| Geisshorn | 3,740 m (12,270 ft) |
| Klein Lauteraarhorn | 3,738 m (12,264 ft) |
| Silberhorn | 3,704 m (12,152 ft) |
| Mittelhorn | 3,702 m (12,146 ft) |
| Rotstock | 3,699 m (12,136 ft) |
| Balmhorn | 3,697 m (12,129 ft) |
| Wetterhorn | 3,690 m (12,106 ft) |
| Rosenhorn | 3,689 m (12,103 ft) |
| Blüemlisalphorn | 3,660 m (12,008 ft) |
| Bärglistock | 3,655 m (11,991 ft) |
| Breitlauihorn | 3,654 m (11,988 ft) |
| Hugihorn | 3,647 m (11,965 ft) |
| Doldenhorn | 3,638 m (11,936 ft) |
| Altels | 3,630 m (11,909 ft) |
| Gross Fusshorn | 3,627 m (11,900 ft) |
| Tschingelhorn | 3,555 m (11,663 ft) |
| Lonzahörner | 3,559 m (11,677 ft) |
| Unterbächhorn | 3,554 m (11,660 ft) |
| Finsteraarrothorn | 3,530 m (11,581 ft) |
| Galmihorn | 3,507 m (11,506 ft) |
| Mittleres Wysshorn | 3,545 m (11,631 ft) |
| Kleines Schreckhorn | 3,495 m (11,467 ft) |
| Nasse Strahlegg | 3,485 m (11,434 ft) |
| Lauteraar Rothörner | 3,477 m (11,407 ft) |
| Wasenhorn | 3,447 m (11,309 ft) |
| Gspaltenhorn | 3,436 m (11,273 ft) |
| Ewigschneehorn | 3,330 m (10,925 ft) |
| Tschingelspitz | 3,315 m (10,876 ft) |
| Olmenhorn | 3,314 m (10,873 ft) |
| Hienderstock | 3,307 m (10,850 ft) |
| Wilerhorn | 3,307 m (10,850 ft) |
| Hockenhorn | 3,293 m (10,804 ft) |
| Ritzlihorn | 3,277 m (10,751 ft) |
| Hogleifa | 3,276 m (10,748 ft) |
| Wildhorn | 3,250 m (10,663 ft) |
| Bächlistock | 3,246 m (10,650 ft) |
| Wildstrubel | 3,244 m (10,643 ft) |
| Birghorn | 3,243 m (10,640 ft) |
| Hohstock | 3,225 m (10,581 ft) |
| Diablerets | 3,216 m (10,551 ft) |
| Stockhorn | 3,211 m (10,535 ft) |
| Sackhorn | 3,204 m (10,512 ft) |
| Petersgrat | 3,202 m (10,505 ft) |
| Strahlhorn (Baltschieder) | 3,201 m (10,502 ft) |
| Wellhorn | 3,191 m (10,469 ft) |
| Firehorn | 3,182 m (10,440 ft) |
| Steinlauihorn | 3,161 m (10,371 ft) |
| Wannihorn | 3,116 m (10,223 ft) |
| Brandlammhorn | 3,108 m (10,197 ft) |
| Mettenberg | 3,104 m (10,184 ft) |
| Schwarzhorn | 3,104 m (10,184 ft) |
| Löffelhorn | 3,096 m (10,157 ft) |
| Tieregghorn | 3,072 m (10,079 ft) |
| Geltenhorn | 3,062 m (10,046 ft) |
| Grand Muveran | 3,051 m (10,010 ft) |
| Mutthorn | 3,037 m (9,964 ft) |
| Arpelistock | 3,036 m (9,961 ft) |
| Sparrhorn | 3,020 m (9,908 ft) |
| Wiwannihorn | 3,000 m (9,843 ft) |
| Torrenthorn | 2,998 m (9,836 ft) |
| Brünberg | 2,982 m (9,783 ft) |
| Schilthorn | 2,973 m (9,754 ft) |
| Dent de Morcles | 2,969 m (9,741 ft) |
| Gärsthorn | 2,964 m (9,724 ft) |
| Eggishorn | 2,934 m (9,626 ft) |
| Schwarzhorn | 2,930 m (9,613 ft) |
| Ritzihorn | 2,891 m (9,485 ft) |
| Wildgärst | 2,891 m (9,485 ft) |
| GrossSidelhorn | 2,881 m (9,452 ft) |
| Alplistock | 2,878 m (9,442 ft) |
| Risihorn | 2,876 m (9,436 ft) |
| Bettmerhorn | 2,872 m (9,423 ft) |
| Gallauistöck | 2,869 m (9,413 ft) |
| Gstellihorn | 2,855 m (9,367 ft) |
| Innerer Fisistock | 2,787 m (9,144 ft) |
| Grosses Engelhorn | 2,782 m (9,127 ft) |
| Chistehorn | 2,785 m (9,137 ft) |
| Niwen | 2,769 m (9,085 ft) |
| Albristhorn | 2,764 m (9,068 ft) |
| Bietenhorn | 2,756 m (9,042 ft) |
| Ärmighorn | 2,742 m (8,996 ft) |
| Tschingellochtighorn | 2,735 m (8,973 ft) |
| Klein Wellhorn | 2,701 m (8,862 ft) |
| Mittaghorn | 2,686 m (8,812 ft) |
| Birg | 2,684 m (8,806 ft) |
| Faulhorn | 2,683 m (8,802 ft) |
| Schwarzmönch | 2,649 m (8,691 ft) |
| Mont à Cavouère | 2,612 m (8,570 ft) |
| Schluchhorn | 2,579 m (8,461 ft) |
| Bunderspitz | 2,546 m (8,353 ft) |
| Sulegg | 2,412 m (7,913 ft) |
| Niesen | 2,366 m (7,762 ft) |
| Pic Chaussy | 2,351 m (7,713 ft) |
| Tête du Portail | 2,335 m (7,661 ft) |
| Rauflihorn | 2,323 m (7,621 ft) |
| Gebidum | 2,317 m (7,602 ft) |
| Wiriehorn | 2,304 m (7,559 ft) |
| Furggenspitz | 2,297 m (7,536 ft) |
| Pointe des Savolaires | 2,294 m (7,526 ft) |
| Oltschiburg | 2,234 m (7,329 ft) |
| Riederhorn | 2,230 m (7,316 ft) |
| Vanil Carré | 2,197 m (7,208 ft) |
| Regenboldshorn | 2,193 m (7,195 ft) |
| Hochmatt | 2,152 m (7,060 ft) |
| Rüdigenspitze | 2,124 m (6,969 ft) |
| Le Chamossaire | 2,116 m (6,942 ft) |
| Rocher du Midi | 2,097 m (6,880 ft) |
| Vanil d'Arpille | 2,085 m (6,841 ft) |
| Dent de Combette | 2,082 m (6,831 ft) |
| Hohmad | 2,076 m (6,811 ft) |
| Hohmädli | 2,021 m (6,631 ft) |
| Wätterlatte | 2,007 m (6,585 ft) |
| Vanil des Cours | 1,562 m (5,125 ft) |
Mainglaciers:
The chiefpasses of the Bernese Alps are:
| Mountain pass | Location | Type | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lauitor | Lauterbrunnen to theEggishorn | Snow | 3,700 m (12,139 ft) |
| Mönchjoch | Grindelwald to theEggishorn | Snow | 3,560 m (11,680 ft) |
| Jungfraujoch | Wengernalp to theEggishorn | Snow | 3,470 m (11,385 ft) |
| Strahlegg | Grindelwald to theGrimsel Pass | Snow | 3,351 m (10,994 ft) |
| Grünhornlücke | Great Aletsch Glacier to theFiescher Glacier | Snow | 3,305 m (10,843 ft) |
| Oberaarjoch | Grimsel to theEggishorn | Snow | 3,233 m (10,607 ft) |
| Gauli | Grimsel toMeiringen | Snow | 3,206 m (10,518 ft) |
| Petersgrat | Lauterbrunnen to theLötschental | Snow | 3,205 m (10,515 ft) |
| Lötschenlücke | Lötschental to theEggishorn | Snow | 3,204 m (10,512 ft) |
| Lauteraarsattel | Grindelwald to theGrimsel | Snow | 3,156 m (10,354 ft) |
| Beichgrat | Lötschental to theBelalp | Snow | 3,136 m (10,289 ft) |
| Lammernjoch | Lenk to theGemmi | Snow | 3,132 m (10,276 ft) |
| Gamchilucke | Kiental toLauterbrunnen | Snow | 2,833 m (9,295 ft) |
| Tschiugel | Lauterbrunnen toKandersteg | Snow | 2,824 m (9,265 ft) |
| Hohtürli | Kandersteg to theKiental | Footpath | 2,707 m (8,881 ft) |
| Lötschen | Kandersteg to theLötschental | Snow | 2,695 m (8,842 ft) |
| Sefinenfurgge | Lauterbrunnen to theKiental | Footpath | 2,616 m (8,583 ft) |
| Rawil | Sion toLenk im Simmental | Bridle path | 2,415 m (7,923 ft) |
| Gemmi | Kandersteg toLeukerbad | Bridle path | 2,329 m (7,641 ft) |
| Sanetsch | Sion toSaanen | Bridle path | 2,234 m (7,329 ft) |
| Grimsel | Meiringen to theRhône Glacier | Road | 2,164 m (7,100 ft) |
| Kleine Scheidegg | Grindelwald toLauterbrunnen | Path, railway | 2,064 m (6,772 ft) |
| Cheville | Sion toBex | Bridle path | 2,049 m (6,722 ft) |
| Grosse Scheidegg | Grindelwald toMeiringen | road (restricted to buses) | 1,967 m (6,453 ft) |
The Alps contain many subranges, some of which are mapped below. The loftiest are the Pennine Alps, which contain 13 of the highest 20 alpine peaks; the Bernese Alps contain four; and the Mont Blanc Massif in the Graian Alps has three.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
