Glacier 3000

Glacier 3000 is the high-alpine excursion area on the Diablerets massif, in the Bernese and Vaud Alps on the border between the cantons of Vaud and Bern. The base is the Col du Pillon, a mountain pass at roughly 1,550 metres, about half an hour by road from Gstaad. From there, a cable car climbs in two stages, with an intermediate station named Cabane, to the Scex Rouge summit station at close to 3,000 metres. The ride takes only a few minutes, and the change in landscape is dramatic, from green pasture and spruce forest to bare rock and ice.

The summit area looks out over a broad panorama. On a clear day, more than twenty peaks of the Alps are visible, from the Bernese Alps to the Valais range, with the pyramid of the Matterhorn in the east and the white dome of Mont Blanc to the south-west. The terrace and restaurant at the top are built to take advantage of this view, and many visitors simply spend an hour or two taking photographs and watching the weather and light change over the mountains.

The attraction that has made the place famous is the Peak Walk, a suspension bridge strung between two rocky summits. It is about a hundred metres long and less than a metre wide, and it hangs high above the ground, with the glacier and the valley far below. It was the first suspension bridge in the world to link two mountain peaks, and it was built with the Swiss watch brand Tissot as sponsor, which is why its full name includes the company's. Walking across it is an experience that combines a sense of exposure with safe construction: the bridge is secured with steel cables and railings and is regularly checked, though people with a fear of heights may find it difficult. In strong wind or poor visibility, the bridge is closed.

Other activities add variety. The Alpine Coaster is a toboggan-style ride on rails that runs through the mountain landscape, and it is open in summer and winter alike. A walking trail leads across the Tsanfleuron glacier to the Quille du Diable, or Devil's Skittle, a tall rock tower that rises from the ice and is a landmark of the area. In winter, snow sports include skiing and snowshoeing, and the high altitude means that snow often remains late into the summer, so some activities are available almost all year.

Conditions at this height can change quickly, and the temperature is much lower than in the valley, even in July. Visitors should wear warm, windproof clothing, sturdy shoes and sunglasses, and use strong sun protection, since the glare from snow and ice is intense. People with heart or lung conditions should check with a doctor, as the altitude can cause discomfort. Opening times, prices and which attractions are running depend on the season and the weather, so check the operator's website before you drive up. The area suits families with older children, photographers, walkers and anyone who wants to reach the high Alps without a long climb. Allow three to five hours for the trip including the ride up and down.