Top 20 Lakes around Grafschaft

The Grafschaft region is known for its diverse natural landscapes, featuring glacial lakes, reservoirs, and serene mountain tarns. These bodies of water are often nestled amidst dramatic mountain scenery, offering unique geological insights into formations created by glaciers and moraines.

Among the most popular is Märjelensee, a calm mountain lake originally dammed by a glacier and now by moraines. Another must-see is Ze Binne at the Binna Reservoir, known for its beautiful blue-green waters. Visitors also appreciate the Oberaarglacier area, which includes the Oberaarsee dam where the Aare river originates.

Yes, Ze Binne at the Binna Reservoir is noted as family-friendly, offering a small village atmosphere and a place to stop with views of the water. Many trails around the lakes are also suitable for families, depending on the specific route's difficulty.

You can observe significant glacial formations, moraines, and the headwaters of important rivers like the Aare. The high alpine environment provides stunning mountain scenery, and the lakes themselves, like Märjelensee, offer insights into glacial retreat.

The region offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find excellent opportunities for gravel biking, with routes like 'The 14 switchbacks to the Breithorn' or 'Old Bridge in Binn – Ze Binne at the Binna Reservoir loop'. There are also numerous running trails, including sections of the 'Swiss Alps 100', and hiking paths such as the 'Ritzingerfeld Chapel – Riverside Campsite loop'. For more details on routes, visit the Gravel biking around Grafschaft, Running Trails around Grafschaft, and Hiking around Grafschaft guides.

Absolutely. Many lakes, including Märjelensee and the Oberaarglacier area, have trails running alongside them. For instance, a beautiful trail runs along Märjelensee, and a mountain path leads to the Oberaar glacier tongue. You can find various hiking routes in the Hiking around Grafschaft guide.

Visitors frequently praise the serene beauty and idyllic settings of the lakes. The Märjelensee is often described as a calm mountain lake fitting idyllically into the mountains. The blue-green waters of Ze Binne at the Binna Reservoir are also a highlight, providing a pleasant view for a break.

Yes, for example, the Gletscherstube Märjelen is a mountain hut beautifully situated near the Märjelensee, offering a great place to stop for a break with fair prices. Ze Binne at the Binna Reservoir also has a nice place to stop, the Twingi Stubji, overlooking the water.

Yes, there is a Stoneman stamping point located at the Märjelensee reservoir. It's a beautifully situated spot, often visited after a break at the Gletscherstube.

Given the high alpine environment and glacial origins of many lakes, the summer months (typically July to September) are ideal for visiting, as trails are more accessible and the weather is generally more favorable for outdoor activities. Some private panoramic roads, like the one to Oberaarsee, are also open during these months.

When visiting the Oberaarglacier and Oberaarsee, be aware that the six-kilometer-long private panoramic road from Grimselpasshöhe has specific opening times and traffic directions. It typically opens from July and can only be driven from Grimsel Pass to Berghaus Oberaar on the hour, and back on the half hour. Parking is also chargeable.