Märjela via tunnel
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The vehicle track from Kühboden to Märjela shortly before reaching the tunnel. The Eggishorn towers above.
We set off from Kühboden (shown as Fiescheralp on some maps) for Märjela on the vehicle track that was built as part of the water management scheme for the area. The lane climbs past a large barn at Salzab (2278m) and then into the Obers Tälli (2335m) where it enters the 1km long and dead straight tunnel under the Tälligrat.
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The entrance to the tunnel under the Tälligrat
Some guidebooks say you need a torch,
but the tunnel is now well lit and is perfectly easy to use. Occasional vehicles
use it and the tunnel also carries the water main from the small reservoir at Märjela.
In the middle of the tunnel is a small grotto with a statue of the Virgin Mary,
this part of Switzerland being strongly Catholic. In the middle of the tunnel we
came across a group of three walkers who were singing songs. The acoustics were
amazing and it sounded like a full choir.
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One of the small lakes near the Gletscherstube mountain hut with the Dreieckhorn beyond the Aletschgletscher that can be seen just above the lake.
On leaving the tunnel the path goes to the Gletscherstube restaurant and mountain hut (about 1 ¾ hours from Kühboden) . The Aletschgletscher can be seen slightly below. We turned back along the old path to Kühboden, which initially heads east, climbing slightly to a watershed at about 2375m, before working its way around the northeast corner of the Eggishorn.
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Mountain goats on the path near the small reservoir at Märjela.
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Looking back to Märjela with Eggishorn on the left.
It is an excellent path, sometimes across stone and sometimes cut into the rock face. It then starts to drop in a series of gentle zigzags to reach a low point at 2147m at Brücherbad. All the way there are excellent views of the Fieschergletscher and in the distance up the valley the Finsteraarhorn.
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The Fieschergletscher from near Brücherbad with the Finsteraarhorn in the far distance.
The path then climbs slightly to 2181m, on a rocky promontory, before contouring almost on the level back to Kühboden, rejoining the outward path. The return walk from the Gletscherstube is about 2 hours.