climbs not over a pass Switzerland

I tried some more climbs "not over anything" in early September, and
was very well rewarded. I looked on www.quaeldich.de for climbs around
the Berner Oberland and sorted them by prettiness, did some rated 5-
star or 4-star.

quick list with my rating (east to west):
* Oberaar Panoramastrasse (by Grimselpass) (A)
* Gental + Engstlenalp (near Innertkirchen) (A)
* Axalp + Chruttmettli (near Brienz) (B)
* Kleine Scheidegg direct from Grindelwald (C)
* Männlichen from Grindelwald w hike to Kleine Scheidegg (A)
* Mürren + Winteregg from Lauterbrunnen (B+)
* Kiental + Griesalp from Reichenbach im Kandertal (A)
see on map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,0.892639&z=10

my ratings: A = pretty special, see if it might be special in your
preferred way; B = good; C = nothing special, or special but with
negatives.

I'm eager for more suggestions for interesting + pretty climbs to try.

More below.
Photo links + lots more details he
http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/e/09a

Ken
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Oberaar Panoramastrasse (by Grimsel pass)

Great views of peaks and lakes in three directions, especially west
into the glaciers and high peaks of the Berner Oberland. Narrow
asphalt road cut into steep rock. Possibililty of riding to (and
across?) the dam of a remote glacial lake.

Key point is not that so many people would ride this (short) road on
its own. But it naturally combines with climbing or descending the
spectacular roads of the upper sections of both sides of the Grimsel
pass, and the addition of the Panoramastrasse raises my interesting
+prettiness ratings for the Grimsel pass climbs from "good" to
"outstanding".

photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/American...anoramastrasse
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Engstlenalp + Gental (near Innertkirchen)

Like a wonderful mountain bike ride thru meadows near tree-line with a
stream and cows (sometimes on the road) and waterfalls and some kinda
dramatic rock peaks -- except that it’s on smooth asphalt, and there’s
food served at the end (and perhaps along the way). A little further
ride or walk on gravel road to a lake. Some views toward glaciers and
distant snow peaks on the descent.

photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/American...stlenalpGental
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Axalp + Chruttmettli (near Brienz)

Views of the biggest bluest-green mountain lake I know in Switzerland,
from close low down and from high up. Sustained climbing on a low-
traffic asphalt road.

The problem for me is the long slog thru the forest between the low
views and the high views. So I cannot give it 5 stars like on www.quaeldich..de
-- my suspicion is that their rater rode it in late spring / early
summer while there was still snow on the peaks on the other side of
the lake Brienz.
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Kleine Scheidegg direct from Grindelwald Grund

Great high-mountain views in a famous place. The big problem is that
the upper part of the climb has a long section on dirt with larger
stones in it. Painfully bumpy for me riding without a rear suspension.

I think there's a better alternative nearby ...
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Männlichen from Grindelwald, optional hike to Kleine Scheidegg

Great views of high peaks and glaciers, and to far horizons in many
directions, plus a steep look from top down into Lauterbrunner valley.
Optional hike toward the Eiger north face with continuing views.

I did not pedal up this climb -- rode up the lift instead -- so I'm
relying on www.quaeldich.de to attest that the experience of the paved
path itself is in keeping with the other aspects. The asphalt path
looked like it had less distance (less than the Kleine Scheidegg
direct way) of slogging thru forest between the lower pasture-grazing
land and the higher above-tree-line open meadows -- then it goes above
tree-line a long ways which allows time to enjoy the high mountain
views. So I’d like to try pedaling up it.

I did do the hike, and it's a rather spectacular (and not difficult)
trail -- aand I suspect its popularity with walkers is a key reason
that bicycling is not permitted on it. So I'm happy to agree with the
Quaeldich.de rating of 5 stars.

photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/American...leineScheidegg
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Mürren + Winteregg from Lauterbrunnen

Big views of high peaks and glaciers, some views across the
Lauterbrunnen valley, and Gimmelwald is a quiet pretty village. If
you're looking for an adventure that includes carrying your bike and a
variety of different road surfaces and steepness, this loop could be a
good choice.

Problems for me: climb up from Lauterbrunnen has a long slog thru
forest; descent from Gimmelwald has some unridable sections.
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Griesalp from Kiental + Reichenbach im Kandertal
Steep switchbacks on both sides of waterfalls, coming after a steep-
walled cirque with braided streams, coming after a climb up a pleasant
valley thru villages toward a dramatic rock peak.

I'd give it 3 stars just for the pleasant climb thru the villages, up
to 4 stars for the cirque, then the unique waterfall climb clearly
puts it into 5 stars (in agreement with www.quaeldich.de).

photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/American...ntalKandertal#
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