Pioneering Hydropower
Construction of KWO's first power plant at Handeck began in 1925. A second power plant was built here starting in 1947, and the third and most modern plant was added in 2012. On this journey through three generations of power plants and through the impressive labyrinth of tunnels, you will experience 100 years of pioneering spirit in hydropower.
The crystal exhibition in one of the winding tunnels showcases another highlight of the Grimsel region: The most beautiful crystals, discovered during blasting operations for the replacement of the Spitallamm dam in 2019, are on display here for visitors.
A journey through the history of Grimsel Hydropower
In your Land Rover you ride from Geschinen via the Grimsel Pass to Handeck is a spectacular alpine journey in the Swiss Alps. Starting in the quiet Valais village of Geschinen in the Goms Valley, you follow the road northward through charming high-alpine hamlets and past the Rhône River's headwaters, gradually climbing toward the dramatic Grimsel Pass at 2,164 meters.
As you ascend the southern side toward Gletsch and the pass summit, the landscape shifts from green valley floors to rugged, rocky terrain with sweeping hairpins, offering stunning views of glaciers and surrounding peaks. At the top, expansive high-alpine plateaus, reservoirs like the Grimselsee, and hydroelectric dams create a unique, almost otherworldly scene amid the granite landscapes.
Descending the northern side into the Bernese Oberland, the road features flowing curves and dramatic drops, passing through steep valleys before reaching the area around Handeck. This stretch rewards riders with breathtaking vistas of deep gorges, waterfalls (like the Handeckfall), and the turquoise Gelmersee, accessible via the famous steep Gelmerbahn funicular.
The entire route combines smooth, well-maintained roads ideal for motorcycles or cars with constantly changing scenery—from lush meadows to barren high passes and forested descents—making it one of Switzerland’s most rewarding mountain drives.
Handeck
At Handeck you can expect a hanging bridge over the young Aare river and spot the funiclar of Gelmerbahn climbing up the hills. Handeck is home to an exquisit Hotel and Restaurant and the meeting point for your tour through the undergrounds of Hydropower.
The home of crystals
Beside electricity the region produces a large amount of mountain crystals worth admiring. Your tour includes a visit to the most spectacular crysals found in the area and shows the history of Hydropower over the decades.
