Glacier 3000 is a large glacier near Gstaad that is reached by cable cars. At the ice, you’ll find a variety of attractions, including a suspension bridge walk taking you to the 3000m viewpoint. For some thrills, you can ride the alpine coaster and sled on summer snow at the Fun Park.
You can enjoy an easy hike on the glacier ice to another beautiful viewpoint (no guide or special equipment required). It’s a great day out for the family and a unique experience on a natural treasure.
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| Location: | Gstaad, Canton Vaud, Switzerland |
| Address: | cable car at Col du Pillon, Les Diablerets |
| Car: | Parking: Route du Pillon 1865 Les Diablerets (46°21’13.7″N 7°12’22.5″E) From Gstaad 20 mins, from Montreux 50 mins, from Interlaken 1hr30, from Bern 1hr45, from Zürich 3hr40 |
| Train: | Bus stop: Col-du-Pillon, Glacier 3000 From Gstaad 35 mins, from Interlaken , from Montreux 1hr30, from Zürich 3hr40 |
| Trail: | optional 4.5 km round trip, about 2 hr total walking time with kids |
| Condition: | snow and rock, no strollers |
| Skill: | moderate due to tricky footing |
| Open: | summer season mid-May to mid-September |
| Price 2024: | cable car return CHF 85/adult discounts with Gstaad Card and Swiss travel cards |
| Services: | restaurants |
| More info: | www.glacier3000.ch • webcam • forecast |
Location
Glacier 3000 is located in southwest Switzerland, between Interlaken and Montreux. You can reach this area by car or bus, then ride a cable car to reach the glacier. See location on Google Maps.
Glacier 3000 Overview
You reach Glacier 3000 by taking two gondolas, one from Col du Pillon to Cabane (2525m), then another from Cabane to Scex Rouge (2971m). All attractions are at the top of the second gondola, as shown on the map below. Click image below to visit the Glacier 3000 website and download this map.
A full family day would include the suspension bridge, the alpine coaster, the free sledding hill “Fun Park” and glacier walk to Quille du Diable. The dog sled ride requires advanced booking and is not always open. There is a restaurant at Scex Rouge and at the end of the glacier walk.
How to get there
Glacier3000 is very close to Gstaad and a reasonable day trip from Interlaken, Bern, or Montreux. But it’s quite far from Zürich or Lucerne, so better to visit while staying in the region.
By car: From Gstaad, follow signs to Col-du-Pillon (46°21’13.7″N 7°12’22.5″E), about a 20 mins drive. There is a large parking lot next to the cable car station.
By public transport: From Gstaad train station, take bus 180 to Col-du-Pillon, Glacier 3000. The bus drops directly at the cable car station.
Ticket prices
To reach the glacier, you’ll need a return ticket from Col du Pillon to Scex Rouge. In 2024, a cable car return ticket costs CHF 85/adult, CHF 40/child 6-15, under 6 free. See current prices.
Discounts with the Gstaad Card, GA, SBB Half-fare, Swiss Travel Pass, and SBB Day Passes. Children with a Junior or Family Card ride free.
If you are coming from Geneva, Lausanne or Montreux, you can book at tour that includes transportation to the Glacier 3000 cable car.
Opening Times
Glacier 3000 and most of the attractions are open year round, except a few weeks in October for maintenance. In 2017, the gondolas run from 9:00 to 16:50 (last descent from Scex Rouge). Check the website for current schedule.
In winter you can usually visit the suspension bridge and glacier walk. Some attractions may close due to inclement weather.
Photo story
Riding up the cable car
Here is the cable car the leaves from Col du Pillon.
Peak Walk – Suspension Bridge
Once you reach the top of the second gondola, pass through the gift shop and up the stairs to reach the Tissot Peak Walk suspension bridge, the main attraction for many tourists. There is no extra charge for the bridge.
The bridge is safe enough for small children but still keep them close. The bridge is narrow, but two people can pass each other if you turn sideways.
At the end of the bridge, there is a small circular observation deck, which gives a 360 degree view. Here are some of the views from there.
Looking back toward the cable car.
Walking back down.
Alpine Coaster
You’ll find the alpine coaster right when you exit the second gondola. My kids loved it, of course, a little slow the first time down, then racing fast and squealing with joy the second time. In 2022, it cost CHF 9/ride or CHF 36 for 5 rides (priced per person, not coaster car).
The ride down lasts a couple minutes depending on how fast you go (you control your speed with a hand break). A cable pulls you and the coaster back to the top, you don’t have to walk back up. I think you have to be 8 to ride on your own. Smaller children can ride with an adult (but must have their own ticket).
Fun Park Sledding
To reach the Fun Park and the start of the Glacier Walk trail, ride down the Ice Express chair lift from the cable car station to the bottom of the alpine slide. Before you start on the glacier walk, take a short detour to the “Fun Park” on your right, a free sledding hill with sleds provided.
It wasn’t busy the day we were there, so my kids easily got sleds and rode down a few times. But it was also so wet, that their clothes got quite wet and we didn’t spend much time there. It’s more of a novelty, to sled in summer.
Glacier Walk to Quille du Diable
The easiest hike in this area is the glacier walk to Quille du Diable (2908m), a viewpoint at the far side of the glacier. The trail starts at the bottom of the Ice Express chair lift (free to use). Stay on the marked path, which is controlled for safety.
It’s a beautiful walk but also a bit wet and slippery. Best with warm clothing, waterproof shoes and hiking sticks if you have them.
See hiking map and details for Glacier 3000 glacier walk. See more Glacier 3000 hiking trails.
Video of trail
Video of our day at Glacier 3000.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear?
This hike is in the mountains at a high elevation where the weather and temperatures can change quickly. Even on a sunny day, the temperature can be cool. Dress appropriate to the weather forecast.
I would definitely bring layers like a fleece and windbreaker in case the weather gets colder during your visit. If you plan to sled at the fun park, bring waterproof outer layers and wear long pants. Bring sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses as the sun is very bright reflecting off the snow.
Where should I stay near Glacier 3000?
We would suggest staying in Gstaad, which is a short drive or bus ride from Glacier 3000. On the budget side, you could stay at the Gstaad Saanenland Youth Hostel. Families may enjoy The Alpina Gstaad, which has an indoor kids club, outdoor playground and kids pool with a slide. For a more luxury stay, our friend suggest Huus Hotel.
Other close mountain villages to Glacier 3000 are Les Diablerets, Gstaad, Saanen, Rougemont, Lauenen, and Zweisimmen. It is also a popular day trip from Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva, Interlaken or Bern.
One summer we stayed in Lauenen near Gstaad. Another summer we camped at Camping du Berceau, which had a big pool and waterslide, a pretty good restaurant on site, and a large grassy field for tents by the river.
6 responses
Glacier3000 is in canton of Vaud 🙂 proud of my canton please update
Thanks for noticing this. It’s right on the border of the cantons, so I wasn’t sure to which it belonged. I’ve updated the post.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this impressive hike. I have a 10 month old baby and a 3 year old daughter. Would you encourage us to go on this hike? Is it safe enough? I would carry the baby in a sling, the older one probably too…Thanks!
For your group, I would probably recommend visiting the top, walking on the suspension bridge, going down to the fun park on the snow and walking a bit on the glacier. But for your group, doing the full glacier trail is probably not the best idea. A lot depends on the conditions. The day we were there, the snow was very slushy and difficult to walk on. We all had wet cold feet and slipped around a lot. It could be tricky carrying a child to keep your balance, so bring hiking sticks if you plan to walk on the snow. Good luck!
Detailed information.Thank you. we are planning to visit in December. Any tips?
Another biggie ticked off the list! Looks amazing. Once again, thanks for all the useful kid-friendly info!