Illgraben
Chandolin - Illgraben is Switzerland’s most significant active debris flow site. It is accessed on foot; once you have reached the ridge, all you have to do is admire the view and get carried away by the feelings it evokes…
Illgraben is a huge cirque or rocky bowl set high above the Rhone valley. It is the result of a landslide in the 14th century from the effects of erosion. It is also one of the most active debris flow channels in the Swiss Alps - the flows can be observed several times a year.
The Illgraben basin has a surface area of 10 km2. This hollow formed by erosion is made up of :
- Quartzite
- Calcareous deposits
- Dolomite
The rocky basin of Illgraben is almost completely lacking in vegetation and represents an amazing alluvial landscape. It has a precipice more than 1500 m deep. The enormous pale yellow and reddish gash further increases the sensation of emptiness. Always moving, this breach is growing a little more each year.
The Illgraben basin has a surface area of 10 km2. This hollow formed by erosion is made up of :
- Quartzite
- Calcareous deposits
- Dolomite
The rocky basin of Illgraben is almost completely lacking in vegetation and represents an amazing alluvial landscape. It has a precipice more than 1500 m deep. The enormous pale yellow and reddish gash further increases the sensation of emptiness. Always moving, this breach is growing a little more each year.
Description
- From Chandolin : 1h walk towards Ponchet
- View from the ridge : 1500 m void, looking straight out towards the Rhone valley
Practical information
- Caution should be exercised with children and in case of bad weather
