Sidelengletscher Snowshoe Hike – Snowshoeing to a Glacier Above the Furkapass, Switzerland

Suitable for a snowshoe hike and cross-country skiing alike, the Sidelengletscher is probably one of the most scenic locations you can visit around the Furkapass in the Winter. This unmarked trail leads to a glacier, the Sidelengletscher, high above the mountain pass.

Sidelengletscher.

It’s a bit of a winter wonderland up there, with the jagged, dramatic peaks of the Uri Alps and Gotthard Massif all around the vast, white expanse. Plus, the environment of the alpine passes in winter, reclaimed by the snow, is rather unique.

Sights like the mountain huts or a hotel in this snowy environment, temporarily reclaimed by nature in between summer seasons, make you feel as if you were in some sort of different world.

The Abandoned Galenstock hotel on the road to the Furkapass in Winter.

If you are looking for a challenging, scenic snowshoe hike in the Andermatt area, this is probably your best choice. However, if you decide to venture on this trail, make sure you have the standard avalanche equipment and consult the Avalanche Bulletin before heading out.

It’s also possible to hike to the Sidelendgletscher in Summer, even though it is a very different experience, but it’s still a beautiful hike.

Table of Contents

Overview of the Sidelengletscher Snowshoe Hike & Map

The trail is a rather demanding trail that crosses avalanche terrain in places. It is an unmarked trail; however, it’s easy enough to loosely follow the tracks made by cross-country skiers. Make sure to consult the avalanche bulletin before heading out.

It is also viewable on the SwissTopo App, which I’d recommend downloading. You can switch to the Winter map and follow the trail there, too; it’s highlighted in green.

Overall, the most demanding aspect is the elevation gain, with more than 1,000 meters in total, in about 13km. This trail is also best avoided early or late in the season; it crosses a frozen lake.

Parts of the trail are also quite steep, and you may have to find your way around the steepest parts.

How to get to the trailhead and Parking

The trailhead is located directly in Realp, at the end of the village, where the Furkapass road closure starts. This is there are only two ways to get there in Winter. Either via Andermatt or via the Furka Car Transport on the Matterhorn-Gotthard railway.

• Driving Directions: By car, you should drive to Andermatt, either from the North or South of the Gotthard tunnel. From Andermatt, keep driving past the (also closed) Gotthard Pass road towards Realp. Before entering the small village, look for the parking area to your left. Alternatively, you can take the Furka Car Transport train if you are coming from the Valais (Wallis)
• Parking: There are various spots to park the car in Realp. It’s best to leave the car at the entrance of the village, which is where the largest parking areas are.
• Public Transport: You can do this by train too, by taking the train to the Realp Train Station. Or by taking a bus to the Realp Banhof stop.

A Closed Furka Strasse, the trailhead.

The Sidelengletscher Snowshoe Hiking Trail

The trail initially follows the Furka pass Road (Furkastrasse) for the first few turns until it heads up the side of the mountain, effectively cutting the road hairpin bends on Furkastrasse. It’s steep going in the first part, until you reach the first flattish area next to a Cell tower.

The next section after that is not as steep. Here, the trail climbs much more gently toward another section of the Furka road, toward the abandoned Hotel Galenstock. Such sights, abandoned buildings in a snow-covered alpine environment, are unique and rather evocative of times passed by, and of how nature can reclaim certain environments under particular conditions.

After the relatively flat area around Hotel Galenstock, the trail reaches its second steep section. This second climb is relatively short and leads to Tätsch, a summer parking area that can be used as a starting point to hike to the Albert Heim Hut and the Sidelengletscher.

Here, the views open up to the Furkapass, in the distance, and to the vast, white landscape around it. It’s a fantastic sight.

The Tätsch ..”parking area”.

The Fuka pass road, on the right, and the pass, in the center.

The Furkapass will remain in sight for a while, too, as well as the vast, snow-covered landscape around it. From here, the rest of the trail alternates short climbs to flattish areas. So the hardest part is behind us.

The trail then crosses a flat area and continues until it merges with the summer trail to the glacier. This is also the last climb on the trail. Then it crosses the frozen lake, all the way to the base of the glacier’s tongue.

The trail merges onto the T4 summer hiking trail.

After the last climb, the glacier comes into view.

It is amazing to see it that close. It’s beautiful, and it is intimidating at the same time – as it should be, as glaciers should always be approached with extreme caution.

I’d recommend a detour to the Albert Heim Hutte if it’s open, for a warm drink or for a good mountain food meal. The detour will probably add a couple of kilometers to the hike.

Sidelengletscher Photos and Photography Tips

There’s a lot to like on this trail. First, the snowy landscape is always magical. It’s like visiting a different environment every time, with new features. The snow keeps changing as people pass by, as it melts, or if it snows more. Cross-country and snowboard skylines always create interesting shadow plays, and so do the shadows of the mountains, provided the sun is out.

Not only that, but also the various beautiful buildings you can see on the trail. They all assume a different character in their winter solitudes and are fully immersed in the snowy landscape.

Lastly, the Sidelengletscher glacier tongue is the real highlight. It’s not possible to get that close to it in summer ans there is a lake right in front ot it. So it certainly makes an impression.

It’s hard to render the size of the glacier, and using the human element is the best way to do so.

Video of the Hike

Here is also a video I made while on this snowshow hike, if you want a better feel for the trail, or just watch some more of this amazing winter landscape.

Where to stay

Realp offers a few hotels, and there’s plenty to choose from in Zermatt. However, if you are looking for a unique experience and to spend the night in the mountains, you have two options. You can choose to stay at the Hotel Tiefenbach, which is located on the closed road of the Furkapass, or to stay at the Albert Heim Hutte. Hotel Tiefenback is open year-round, while the Albert Heim Hut is open in Summer and for a few weeks during the winter season. Check their website for more details.

Additional Resources

• For a comprehensive overview of Hikes in Switzerland, check out my main Switzerland page.