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Valais Goms Glaciers Attraction
Furka Pass and the Rhône Glacier in autumn
- Duration
- ~1 h
- Price from
- from CHF 9
- Season
- While the pass road is open
- Effort
- Short walk
A mountain pass road with hairpin bends, the Rhône Glacier and its turquoise lake just below the top, and slopes that turn golden and rust in early October.
By Mihaela CanjaLast checked 7 October 2026
As the hiking season was getting closer to the end, in early October I drove up the Furka Pass from Realp to see the Rhône Glacier. The slopes had turned golden and rust, and the morning light made the colours even more intense. Fog came and went, and the weather changed within minutes, but the landscape was magnificent, even when playing hide and seek.
We left early on a weekday and had time for a very short hike before the grotto opened. The road was empty, and so was the car park at Belvédère, when we arrived, around 08:00. When we left, it was full, and that was off-season, on a working day.
Attraction facts
- Duration
- ~1 h
- Price from
- from CHF 9
- Season
- While the pass road is open
- Effort
- Short walk
- Where
- Belvédère, Furka Pass road
- Booking
- Not needed, tickets on site only
- With children
- Yes: child-friendly path and information panels
Best time
Open only while the Furka Pass road is open; dates on the operator's website.
Getting there
- Region
- Valais › Goms
- By train and bus
- Train to Andermatt or Oberwald, then PostBus line 681 to Obergoms, Belvedere-Furka (summer season only)
- Stations and stops
- Obergoms, Belvedere-Furka
- By car
- Furka Pass road between Realp (Uri) and Oberwald (Valais), 29 km, up to 11% gradient. ~30 min from Andermatt, ~1 h 30 min from Lucerne
Practical
- Cost (2026)
- Adult CHF 9, child 5 to 16 CHF 6, under 5 free
- Discounts
- PostBus included with the Swiss Travel Pass and GA Travelcard. No discount found for the grotto
- Services
- Kiosk and snack bar at the grotto entrance; Hotel Belvédère closed
On this page
In short
- A mountain pass road between Uri and Valais, with glacier views and hairpin bends.
- The road passes right by the Rhône Glacier and its turquoise lake, just below the top on the Valais side.
- In early October the slopes turn golden and rust, and the morning light makes the colours even more intense.
- The pass can be open while the PostBus has already stopped: in 2026 the last bus ran on 4 October.
Getting there
By car
The Furka Pass road links Realp in Uri with Oberwald in Valais: 29 km, up to 11% gradient, no trailers allowed. We came from Realp. The top of the pass is at 2,429 m, and the glacier lake is at Belvédère, a few bends below on the Valais side.
The road is closed in winter. In 2026 it opened in late May. The closing date depends on snow and is not known far in advance, so I advise checking before you go on alpen-paesse.ch. In the last ten years, the pass closed around late October or in the first half of November. So plan for early October and treat the rest and November as a bonus.
By PostBus
PostBus line 681 runs from Andermatt over the Furka to Oberwald and stops at Obergoms, Belvedere-Furka (PostAuto). It runs in summer only: in 2026, from 20 June to 4 October.
The pass road can be open while the PostBus no longer runs. In October, check the timetable first; you may need a car.
The bus is included with the GA Travelcard and the Swiss Travel Pass. The Furka is also part of three PostBus pass tours: day trips by PostBus over three Alpine passes, starting and ending in Andermatt or Meiringen and taking 4 h 25 min to 6 h 53 min. Seats must be reserved by 16:00 the day before (PostAuto pass tours):
- Furka, Grimsel and Susten, from Andermatt
- Gotthard, Nufenen and Furka, from Andermatt
- Susten, Furka and Grimsel, from Meiringen
What to see
The Hotel Belvédère is the starting point for several hikes with panoramic views over the glacier, and the entrance to the “Ice Cave”. In practice, it is a walking path close to the glacial lake that gives you another perspective of the glacier. There is also an ice cave, hence the name, and it is very small. I recommend the area for its fascinating landscapes, not necessarily for the cave.
From the entrance, a 680 m path (~15 min) leads down to the glacier and into a tunnel cut into the ice. Plan at least 30 to 35 min for the visit (Valais tourism).
The grotto itself was underwhelming, at least this year. The landscape around it was well worth the CHF 9 entrance. I found the information panels there very informative.
Tickets are sold on site only: adult CHF 9, child 5 to 16 CHF 6, under 5 free (prices). Cash is preferred, and cards under CHF 30 cost 10% extra. Euros are accepted too: in October 2026 the entrance was EUR 11.
I shared more photos from that morning on Instagram.
The Rhône Glacier in 2026
Seeing the grotto this small was sad rather than disappointing. Glaciers are melting fast, and 2026 was one of the worst years. Swiss glaciers lost more than 5% of their ice volume, only just behind the record year 2022, and almost 20% in five years (SCNAT). For the Rhône Glacier, it was the worst year on record (ETH Zurich).
When to go
The grotto is open only while the pass road is open. Opening and closing dates depend on the weather, so check the operator’s website before you go. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 09:30 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00 to 18:30, and can change at short notice with the weather (operator).
In early October the slopes along the road turn golden and rust. Arrive early: around 08:00 we had the road and the car park to ourselves, with time for a short walk before the grotto opened.
Who it suits
- Families with children: the path is child-friendly, and the panels and the landscape offer plenty to learn about glaciers.
- Anyone driving the Furka Pass road, as a stop on the way.
- Visitors on a PostBus pass tour in summer.
Tips
- Bring Swiss francs in cash.
- Wear shoes with good grip and bring a warm, windproof jacket irrespective of the season.
- Check the pass status and the weather before you set off. Up here, fog can hide the view and lift again within minutes.
- Dogs are allowed (operator).
- Go early on a weekday if you can: the car park fills up even off-season.
Useful links
- Rhône Glacier ice grotto: plan your visit
- PostBus: Furka Pass route
- Furka Pass: status and opening dates
Questions
Is the Rhône Glacier ice grotto worth visiting? The grotto itself was underwhelming when we visited in October 2026, after a summer of record melt. The landscape around it was well worth the CHF 9 entrance, and the information panels are very informative.
When does the ice grotto close for the season? It can only be reached while the Furka Pass road is open. The closing date depends on snow: in the last ten years the pass closed between 28 October and 19 November. Check the pass status before you go.
Can I pay by card at the ice grotto? Yes, but cash is preferred, and card payments under CHF 30 cost 10% extra. Euros are accepted: in October 2026 the entrance was EUR 11 per adult.
Can I get to the ice grotto without a car? In summer, PostBus line 681 between Andermatt and Oberwald stops at Belvedere-Furka. In 2026 it ran from 20 June to 4 October, so in late autumn the pass may be open while the bus no longer runs.
Is the ice grotto suitable for children? Yes. The path is child-friendly, and the panels and the landscape give children plenty to learn about glaciers. Children 5 to 16 pay CHF 6, under 5 free. The path is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Sources
Specific pages are linked in the text where they are used. Last checked 7 October 2026.
Good for Families with children