Urner Alps
Encyclopedia
The Urner Alps are a mountain range
in central Switzerland
in the western part of the Alps
. They extend into the cantons of Obwalden
, Valais
, Lucerne
, Bern, Uri
and Nidwalden
and are bordered by the Bernese Alps
to the west, the Lepontine Alps
to the south and the Glarus Alps
to the east.
The Urner Alps are composed of two distinct groups separated by the Susten Pass
. The Dammastock
massif on the south is the most glaciated part while the northern part, which culminates on Titlis
, has lower summits but greater extend.
The group south of the Susten Pass forms the dividing range between the head waters of the Aar (west) from those of the Reuss. In addition a small portion of the range (south-west) is located in the basin of the Rhone
. This part lies entirely within the valley of the Rhone Glacier
. This group forms a complex mass including four considerable ridges and attains its greatest height at the Dammastock
and the Galenstock
. The group includes four nearly parallel ridges running NNW. and SSE. That forming the eastern boundary of tbe valley of Hasli reaches 3,383 metres at the Tieralplistock
, whence it extends NNW. to the Mährenhorn
, and south to the Gärstenhörner. A wide reservoir of snow whence the Trift Glacier
flows to the north and the Rhone Glacier
to the south, divides this range from the more easterly range whose highest point is the Dammastock
. North of the Dammastock the range collectively known as the Hinter Tierberg
, attains 3,447 metres. Further east than the last is the Sustenhorn
range, rising at its highest point to 3,505 metres, divided from the last by the Stein Glacier
and the upper part of the Göschenental. Lastly, another ridge still further east is separated from the last by the Voralptal, a branch of the Göschenental. Its highest summits are the Fleckistock
and the Stucklistock
. The lower part of the Göschenental is bounded on the south by a range running west to east diverging from the ridge between the Dammastock and the Galenstock.
On the north side of the Susten Pass the ranges are lower and, except the highest mountains on the south, free of glaciers. The main ridge, culminating at the Titlis
divides the basins of the Aar and the Reuss. From the Grassen
, tripoint border between the cantons of Berne
, Obwalden
and Uri
, a small range diverges from the main watershed and runs from west to east and culminates at the Gross Spannort
.
The principal summits of the Urner Alps are:
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s :
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
in central Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
in the western part of the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
. They extend into the cantons of Obwalden
Obwalden
Obwalden is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population is 33,997 of which 4,043 are foreigners. Its capital is Sarnen. The canton contains the geographical centre of Switzerland.-History:...
, Valais
Valais
The Valais is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Geneva, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton is one of the drier parts of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley...
, Lucerne
Canton of Lucerne
Lucerne is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population of the canton is . , the population included 57,268 foreigners, or about 15.8% of the total population. The cantonal capital is Lucerne.-History:...
, Bern, Uri
Canton of Uri
Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territory covers the valley of the Reuss River between Lake Lucerne and the St. Gotthard Pass. German is the primary language spoken in Uri...
and Nidwalden
Nidwalden
Nidwalden is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population is 40,287 of which 4,046 are foreigners. The capital is Stans.-History:...
and are bordered by the Bernese Alps
Bernese Alps
The Bernese Alps are a group of mountain ranges in the western part of the Alps, in Switzerland. Although the name suggests that they are located in the Bernese Oberland region of the canton of Bern, portions of the Bernese Alps are in the adjacent cantons of Valais, Lucerne, Obwalden, Fribourg and...
to the west, the Lepontine Alps
Lepontine Alps
The Lepontine Alps are a mountain range in the central part of the Alps. They are located in Switzerland and Italy .On the north the upper Rhône valley separate them from the Bernese Alps and the Furka Pass and the upper Reuss valley separates them from the Urner Alps; on the west the Simplon Pass...
to the south and the Glarus Alps
Glarus Alps
The Glarus Alps are a mountain range in central Switzerland. They extend from the Oberalp Pass to the Klausen Pass, and are bordered by the Urner Alps to the west, the Lepontine Alps to the south and the Appenzell Alps to the northeast...
to the east.
The Urner Alps are composed of two distinct groups separated by the Susten Pass
Susten Pass
Susten Pass is a mountain pass in the Swiss Alps. The pass road, built from 1938–1945, connects Innertkirchen in the canton of Bern with Wassen in the canton of Uri...
. The Dammastock
Dammastock
The Dammastock is the highest mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland. Its summit ridge forms the border between the cantons of Uri and the Valais. It is the highest summit in the canton of Uri...
massif on the south is the most glaciated part while the northern part, which culminates on Titlis
Titlis
The Titlis is a mountain in the Urner Alps of Switzerland. It is located on the border between the cantons of Obwalden and Berne in Switzerland, overlooking Engelberg and is famous as the site of the world's first revolving cable car...
, has lower summits but greater extend.
Geography
Rhône
Rhone can refer to:* Rhone, one of the major rivers of Europe, running through Switzerland and France* Rhône Glacier, the source of the Rhone River and one of the primary contributors to Lake Geneva in the far eastern end of the canton of Valais in Switzerland...
. This part lies entirely within the valley of the Rhone Glacier
Rhône Glacier
The Rhone Glacier, or sometimes Rhône Glacier is a glacier in the Swiss Alps and the source of the Rhone River and one of the primary contributors to Lake Geneva in the far eastern end of the Swiss canton of Valais...
. This group forms a complex mass including four considerable ridges and attains its greatest height at the Dammastock
Dammastock
The Dammastock is the highest mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland. Its summit ridge forms the border between the cantons of Uri and the Valais. It is the highest summit in the canton of Uri...
and the Galenstock
Galenstock
The Galenstock is the fourth highest mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland. Its summit ridge lies on the border between the cantons of Uri and the Valais....
. The group includes four nearly parallel ridges running NNW. and SSE. That forming the eastern boundary of tbe valley of Hasli reaches 3,383 metres at the Tieralplistock
Tieralplistock
Tieralplistock is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, whence it extends NNW. to the Mährenhorn
Mährenhorn
The Mährenhorn is a mountain in the Urner Alps, overlooking Innertkirchen in the Bernese Oberland. It lies west of Triftsee, near the Trift Glacier.-External links:*...
, and south to the Gärstenhörner. A wide reservoir of snow whence the Trift Glacier
Trift Glacier
The Trift Glacier is a long glacier situated in the Urner Alps in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. In 1973 it had an area of .-See also:*Trift Bridge*Triftsee*List of glaciers in Switzerland*Swiss Alps-External links:*...
flows to the north and the Rhone Glacier
Rhône Glacier
The Rhone Glacier, or sometimes Rhône Glacier is a glacier in the Swiss Alps and the source of the Rhone River and one of the primary contributors to Lake Geneva in the far eastern end of the Swiss canton of Valais...
to the south, divides this range from the more easterly range whose highest point is the Dammastock
Dammastock
The Dammastock is the highest mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland. Its summit ridge forms the border between the cantons of Uri and the Valais. It is the highest summit in the canton of Uri...
. North of the Dammastock the range collectively known as the Hinter Tierberg
Hinter Tierberg
The Hinter Tierberg is a 3,447 metres high mountain in the Urner Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Bern and Uri. It overlooks the Trift Glacier on its west side and the Chelen Glacier on its east side....
, attains 3,447 metres. Further east than the last is the Sustenhorn
Sustenhorn
The Sustenhorn is a 3,503 metres high mountain in the Urner Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Bern and Uri. It overlook Susten Pass from the south....
range, rising at its highest point to 3,505 metres, divided from the last by the Stein Glacier
Stein Glacier
The Stein Glacier is a 4 km long glacier situated in the Urner Alps in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. In 1973 it had an area of 6.06 km².-External links:**...
and the upper part of the Göschenental. Lastly, another ridge still further east is separated from the last by the Voralptal, a branch of the Göschenental. Its highest summits are the Fleckistock
Fleckistock
The Fleckistock is a 3,417 metres high mountain in the Urner Alps, overlooking Wassen in the canton of Uri. It is the highest summit of the group lying east of the pass of Sustenjoch...
and the Stucklistock
Stucklistock
The Stucklistock is a mountain in the Urner Alps, overlooking the valley of Meiental in the canton of Uri. It lies only a few kilometres south-east of Susten Pass. The Stucklistock is surrounded by glaciers, the largest, named Rütifirn, lying on its east flank....
. The lower part of the Göschenental is bounded on the south by a range running west to east diverging from the ridge between the Dammastock and the Galenstock.
On the north side of the Susten Pass the ranges are lower and, except the highest mountains on the south, free of glaciers. The main ridge, culminating at the Titlis
Titlis
The Titlis is a mountain in the Urner Alps of Switzerland. It is located on the border between the cantons of Obwalden and Berne in Switzerland, overlooking Engelberg and is famous as the site of the world's first revolving cable car...
divides the basins of the Aar and the Reuss. From the Grassen
Grassen
Grassen is a mountain in the Urner Alps. It is located near Engelberg in Switzerland. The summit is the tripoint between the cantons of Berne, Obwalden and Uri.-External links:*...
, tripoint border between the cantons of Berne
Canton of Berne
The Canton of Bern is the second largest of the 26 Swiss cantons by both surface area and population. Located in west-central Switzerland, it borders the Canton of Jura and the Canton of Solothurn to the north. To the west lie the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Canton of Fribourg and Vaud. To the south...
, Obwalden
Obwalden
Obwalden is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the centre of Switzerland. The population is 33,997 of which 4,043 are foreigners. Its capital is Sarnen. The canton contains the geographical centre of Switzerland.-History:...
and Uri
Canton of Uri
Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territory covers the valley of the Reuss River between Lake Lucerne and the St. Gotthard Pass. German is the primary language spoken in Uri...
, a small range diverges from the main watershed and runs from west to east and culminates at the Gross Spannort
Gross Spannort
The Gross Spannort is a mountain in the Urner Alps, near Engelberg....
.
Principal summits
- 1. DammastockDammastockThe Dammastock is the highest mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland. Its summit ridge forms the border between the cantons of Uri and the Valais. It is the highest summit in the canton of Uri...
, 3630 m - 2. SchneestockSchneestockThe Schneestock is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, 3608 m - 3. RhonestockRhonestockThe Rhonestock is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, 3596 m - 4. GalenstockGalenstockThe Galenstock is the fourth highest mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland. Its summit ridge lies on the border between the cantons of Uri and the Valais....
, 3586 m - 5. EggstockEggstockThe Eggstock is a mountain in the Urner Alps, north of Dammastock, in Switzerland. The tripoint between the cantons of Berne, Valais and Uri is located 600 m west of the summit.-External links:*...
, 3583 m - 6. TiefenstockTiefenstockThe Tiefenstock is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, 3515 m - 7. SustenhornSustenhornThe Sustenhorn is a 3,503 metres high mountain in the Urner Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Bern and Uri. It overlook Susten Pass from the south....
, 3503 m - 8. Hinter TierbergHinter TierbergThe Hinter Tierberg is a 3,447 metres high mountain in the Urner Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Bern and Uri. It overlooks the Trift Glacier on its west side and the Chelen Glacier on its east side....
, 3447 m - 9. GwächtenhornGwächtenhornThe Gwächtenhorn is a 3,420 metres high mountain in the Urner Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Bern and Uri. It overlooks the Stein Glacier and the Susten Pass on its north side and the Chelen Glacier on its south side ....
, 3420 m - 10. Mittlerer Tierberg, 3418 m
- 11. FleckistockFleckistockThe Fleckistock is a 3,417 metres high mountain in the Urner Alps, overlooking Wassen in the canton of Uri. It is the highest summit of the group lying east of the pass of Sustenjoch...
, 3416 m - 12. Maasplanggstock, 3401 m
- 13. Wysse Nollen, 3398 m
- 14. DiechterhornDiechterhornThe Diechterhorn is a mountain in the Urner Alps, overlooking the Haslital in the Bernese Oberland. At 3,389 metres above sea level it is the highest summit of the Urner Alps lying within the canton of Bern....
, 3389 m - 15. TieralplistockTieralplistockTieralplistock is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, 3382 m - 16. Chli Sustenhorn, 3318 m
- 17. Vorderes Sustenlimihorn, 3316 m
- 18. StucklistockStucklistockThe Stucklistock is a mountain in the Urner Alps, overlooking the valley of Meiental in the canton of Uri. It lies only a few kilometres south-east of Susten Pass. The Stucklistock is surrounded by glaciers, the largest, named Rütifirn, lying on its east flank....
, 3308 m - 19. Gletschhorn, 3305 m
- 20. TitlisTitlisThe Titlis is a mountain in the Urner Alps of Switzerland. It is located on the border between the cantons of Obwalden and Berne in Switzerland, overlooking Engelberg and is famous as the site of the world's first revolving cable car...
, 3238 m - 21. Rorspitzli, 3220 m
- 22. Sidelenhorn, 3217 m
- 23. GwächtenhornGwächtenhornThe Gwächtenhorn is a 3,420 metres high mountain in the Urner Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Bern and Uri. It overlooks the Stein Glacier and the Susten Pass on its north side and the Chelen Glacier on its south side ....
, 3214 m - 24. Brunnenstock, 3210 m
- 25. Chüeplanggenstock, 3207 m
- 26. Gross Bielenhorn, 3207 m
- 27. Voralphorn, 3203 m
- 28. WinterstockWinterstockThe Winterstock is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, 3203 m - 29. Chelenalphorn, 3202 m
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- 30. Gross Griessenhorn, 3202 m
- 31. Gross SpannortGross SpannortThe Gross Spannort is a mountain in the Urner Alps, near Engelberg....
, 3198 m - 32. Hinteres Sustenlimihorn, 3194 m
- 33. Gärstenhörner, 3189 m
- 34. Limistock, 3189 m
- 35. Tällistock, 3185 m
- 36. Rotstock, 3183 m
- 37. Hoch HorefellistockHoch HorefellistockThe Hoch Horefellistock is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, 3175 m - 38. Gross FurkahornGross FurkahornGross Furkahorn is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, 3169 m - 39. Winterberg, 3167 m
- 40. Chli SpannortChli SpannortThe Chli Spannort is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, 3140 m - 41. Hinter Schloss (Schlossberg), 3132 m
- 42. SteinhüshornSteinhüshornThe Steinhüshorn is a mountain in the Urner Alps, overlooking Guttannen in the Bernese Oberland. It lies north of the Diechterhorn, west of the Trift Glacier....
, 3121 m - 43. Chilchlistock, 3114 m
- 44. Krönten, 3107 m
- 45. Hintere Gelmerhörner, 3100 m
- 46. Vorderer Tierberg, 3091 m
- 47. Zwächten, 3078 m
- 48. Lochberg, 3074 m
- 49. Müeterlishorn, 3066 m
- 50. WendenstöckeWendenstöckeThe Wendenstöcke is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland, within the Canton of Bern.-External links:*...
, 3042 m - 51. Blauberg, 3039 m
- 52. Triftstöckli, 3035 m
- 53. Klein Titlis, 3028 m
- 54. Klein FurkahornKlein FurkahornKlein Furkahorn is a mountain in the Urner Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*...
, 3026 m - 55. Wendenhorn, 3023 m
- 56. Spitzli, 3011 m
- 57. Bächenstock, 3008 m
- 58. Reissend Nollen, 3003 m
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Glaciers
Main glacierGlacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
s :
- Rhone GlacierRhône GlacierThe Rhone Glacier, or sometimes Rhône Glacier is a glacier in the Swiss Alps and the source of the Rhone River and one of the primary contributors to Lake Geneva in the far eastern end of the Swiss canton of Valais...
- Trift GlacierTrift GlacierThe Trift Glacier is a long glacier situated in the Urner Alps in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. In 1973 it had an area of .-See also:*Trift Bridge*Triftsee*List of glaciers in Switzerland*Swiss Alps-External links:*...
- Stein GlacierStein GlacierThe Stein Glacier is a 4 km long glacier situated in the Urner Alps in the canton of Berne in Switzerland. In 1973 it had an area of 6.06 km².-External links:**...
- Tiefen GlacierTiefen GlacierThe Tiefen Glacier is a 2.5 km long glacier situated in the Urner Alps in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. In 1973 it had an area of 3.16 km².-External links:*...
- Chelen GlacierChelen GlacierThe Chelen Glacier is a 2.5 km long glacier situated in the Urner Alps in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. In 1973 it had an area of 3.15 km².-External links:*...
- Damma GlacierDamma GlacierThe Damma Glacier is a 2 km long glacier situated in the Urner Alps in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. In 1973 it had an area of 5.09 km².-External links:*...