The tunnel is re-carved annually because the movement of the glacier, which travels several meters per year, collapses the structure during the winter.
The ice inside the grotto is estimated to be several hundred years old.
The Rhone Glacier is the primary source of the Rhone River, which eventually flows into Lake Geneva and the Mediterranean Sea.
The iconic Hotel Belvédère nearby was built in 1882 and served as a major stop for horse-drawn carriage travelers crossing the pass.
The site was featured in the 1964 James Bond film 'Goldfinger' during a car chase sequence.
The Eisgrotte Belvédère is an artificial ice tunnel carved annually into the interior of the retreating Rhone Glacier in the Swiss Alps. It is located directly adjacent to the historic Hotel Belvédère on the Furka Pass road. The tunnel allows visitors to walk inside the glacial ice, which exhibits a distinct blue tint due to the absorption of red light wavelengths. Because the glacier is constantly in motion and melting, the cave must be re-excavated every year. The site provides a visceral illustration of glacial retreat, as markers indicate where the ice mass stood in previous decades. The entrance is accessed via a short path from the mountain road parking area. It is one of the few places in Europe where the structural interior of a glacier is accessible without technical climbing gear.
From the entrance of the ice cave looking outward toward the surrounding mountain peaks of the Furka Pass.
Wear waterproof, non-slip footwear as the ground inside the tunnel is often wet and icy.
Bring a warm jacket, as temperatures inside the ice tunnel remain near freezing regardless of the exterior air temperature.
Check road conditions before departing, as the Furka Pass is subject to frequent closures due to weather and seasonal snow accumulation.
Do not attempt to walk on the exposed glacier ice outside the marked tunnel path without professional training, as deep crevasses are common and dangerous.
Open only during the summer season, typically from early June to mid-October, depending on snow conditions on the pass.
Do not touch the walls excessively to help preserve the ice; stay within marked safety barriers.
