Gadmen combines the landscape of the Gadmer Valley with winter routes and specific cultural attractions. The village is in the Bernese Oberland and belongs to the municipality of Innertkirchen in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district of the canton of Bern, Switzerland. The valley offers more than views of the mountains: its church, the Goldvreneli Trail and the surrounding waters also give a stay its own points of interest.
Valley, River and Alpine Landscape
The Gadmer Valley on the Susten Pass is a natural area and recreational destination. Gadmen lies on the road up to the Susten Pass; the pass summit is on the eastern municipal and cantonal border. The Gadmerwasser flows through the valley. The Steingletscher, Triftgletscher and Wendengletscher are all within Gadmen. The Steinsee lies below the Steingletscher, while the Gadenlauisee is far above the village. The named landscape features thus range from the river in the valley to high-altitude lakes and glaciers.
Church and Goldvreneli Trail
The present-day church in Gadmen was built on the old walls of a former chapel and is protected by the federal government. During a visit to the church, you can see two bells beneath the pulpit: one dating from 1500, dedicated to Saint Michael, and a second from 1800, made at a foundry in Valais. Visiting opportunities may vary.
You can also explore the village’s history on a circular trail. The Goldvreneli Trail has nine stops about Rosa Tännler, the Gadmer Valley and life in the region. The local Goldvreneli tradition links Rosa Tännler to the portrait on the Swiss gold coin; she met Fritz Ulysse Landry in 1894. The name Gadmen itself derives from the Old High German «gadumab», a word for a stable, barn or small house.
Winter Trails and Climbing Routes
For a winter hike, an easy trail leads from Fuhren to Obermad; the route takes about an hour and is well marked with signs and trail markers. Its availability depends on snow and operating conditions. The Gadmen cross-country ski trail follows the Gadmerwasser on a 15-kilometre loop past the village of Gadmen. Its length and grooming may vary by season. The information offers different points of reference for planning: an approximate duration is given for the hiking route, while the ski trail’s distance is specified.
The Gadmer Trophy is a sled dog race held under floodlights on a night trail about seven kilometres long. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the event dates. For climbers, the Tälli via ferrata runs through the Gadmer Dolomites and is about 600 metres long. It starts at the Tälli restaurant and mountain inn, which can be reached by the Tällibahn; access arrangements may vary by season. Check conditions before climbing. The Wendenstöcke climbing area has more than 100 multi-pitch routes.
The «Röschtigraben» climbing route is 700 metres long and comprises 23 pitches, with a grade of 8a+ (7b obligatory). The approach involves taking the train to Innertkirchen, continuing by postbus to Gadmen Obermaad, then walking via the Wendenalp (Wendenläger) to the bivouac beneath the Reissend Nollen. It takes about three and a half hours and requires the Susten Pass to be open.
Getting There by Postbus
You can reach Gadmen from the Grimseltor in Innertkirchen by postbus in about 20 minutes. Check the current timetable before travelling. This makes it possible to plan a stay around public transport, cultural attractions in the village and, depending on your interests, winter or climbing routes, without treating the different time and distance figures as equivalent.
Discover more destinations: Reuti, Innertkirchen, Meiringen, Unterbäch, Hasliberg, Guttannen, Hohfluh, Schattenhalb
Return to the main travel overview: Oberhasli.
