Bernese Alps in the wide meaning

The Bernese Alps in the wide meaning (in German Berner Alpen i.w.S.,[2] in French Alpes Bernoises D.l.s.l.[3]) are a mountain range in the northwestern part of the Alps. They are located in Switzerland.

Bernese Alps in the wide meaning
German: Berner Alpen i.w.S.
French: Alpes Bernoises d.l.s.l.
Aerial view on the Finsteraarhorn (4275m)
Highest point
PeakFinsteraarhorn[1]
Elevation4,274 m (14,022 ft)
Coordinates46°21′15″N 8°07′34″E
Geography
Bernese Alps i.w.s. (section nr. 12) within the Western Alps
CountrySwitzerland
CantonsBern, Vaud, Valais, Lucerne, Uri, Nidwalden and Obwalden
Parent rangeAlps
Borders onLepontine Alps, Pennine Alps, Graian Alps, Savoy Prealps, Swiss Prealps and Glarus Alps i.t.w.m.
Geology
OrogenyAlpine orogeny

Geography

The range concerns several Swiss cantons: Bern, Vaud, Valais, Lucerne, Uri, Nidwalden and Obwalden.

SOIUSA classification

According to SOIUSA (International Standardized Mountain Subdivision of the Alps) the range is an Alpine section, classified in the following way:[4]

  • main part = Western Alps
  • major sector = North Western Alps
  • section = Bernese Alps i.t.w.m.
  • code = I/B-12

Subdivision

The range is divided into three subsections:

Notable summits

Eiger north face
The Diablerets from the Pic Chaussy

Some notable summits of the range are:

Nameelevation (m)Alpine subsection
Finsteraarhorn4,274Bernese Alps s.s.
Aletschhorn4,193Bernese Alps s.s.
Jungfrau4,158Bernese Alps s.s.
Mönch4,105Bernese Alps s.s.
Schreckhorn4,080Bernese Alps s.s.
Fiescherhorn4,049Bernese Alps s.s.
Grünhorn4,043Bernese Alps s.s.
Lauteraarhorn4,042Bernese Alps s.s.
Gletscherhorn3,983Bernese Alps s.s.
Eiger3,967Bernese Alps s.s.
Äbeni Flue3,962Bernese Alps s.s.
Fiescher Gabelhorn3,876Bernese Alps s.s.
Doldenhorn3,643Bernese Alps s.s.
Dammastock3,630Urner Alps
Galenstock3,583Urner Alps
Sustenhorn3,503Urner Alps
Titlis3,238Urner Alps
Les Diablerets3,210Vaud Alps
Grand Muveran3,051Vaud Alps
Lohner3,048Bernese Alps s.s.
Wendenstöcke3,042Urner Alps
Sparrhorn3,021Bernese Alps s.s.
Torrenthorn2,998Bernese Alps s.s.
Dent de Morcles2,980Vaud Alps
Eggishorn2,934Bernese Alps s.s.

Notable passes

Furka pass west side

Some notable mountain passes of the range are:

Mountain pass location type elevation
Furka Pass Rhône Glacier to Andermatt road 2436 m 7992 ft
Gemmi Pass Kandersteg to Leukerbad bridle path 2329 m 7641 ft
Mönchjoch Grindelwald to the Eggishorn snow 3560 m 11,680 ft
Jungfraujoch Wengernalp to the Eggishorn snow 3470 m 11,385 ft
Grünhornlücke Great Aletsch Glacier to the Fiescher Glacier snow 3305 m 10,844 ft
Grimsel Pass Meiringen to the Rhone Glacier road 2164 m 7100 ft
Kleine Scheidegg Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen path, railway 2064 m 6772 ft
Col de Cheville Sion to Bex bridle path 2049 m 6723 ft
Grosse Scheidegg Grindelwald to Meiringen road (restricted to bus traffic) 1967 m 6454 ft
Brünig Pass Meiringen to Lucerne road, railway 1035 m 3396 ft
Petersgrat Lauterbrunnen to the Lötschental snow 3205 m 10,516 ft
Lötschenlücke Lötschental to the Eggishorn snow 3204 m 10,512 ft
Susten Pass Meiringen to Wassen road 2262 m 7422 ft
Sanetsch Pass Sion to Saanen bridle path 2234 m 7331 ft

References

  1. Highest summit elevation as reported on map.geo.admin.ch of Swiss Federal Office of Topography
  2. I.w.S. = in weitesten Sinne - in English: in the wide meaning
  3. d.l.s.l. = dans le sens large - in English: in the wide sense
  4. Marazzi, Sergio (2005). Atlante Orografico delle Alpi. SOIUSA (in Italian). Priuli & Verlucca. p. 145. ISBN 978-88-8068-273-8.
  5. s.s. = stricto sensu
  6. I.e.S. = in eigentlichen Sinne - in English: in the narrow meaning

Maps

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