Lenk

Lenk closes the Simmental, with the Wildstrubel and its glacier at the head of the valley. The village developed partly as a spa: a sulphur spring here has fed a spa since 1843, which grew into a grand hotel by 1900. Its natural set piece is the Simmenfalle, where the young Simme comes out of the rock and drops in a series of stages - the water emerges from a karst resurgence in the cliff rather than flowing in from above, and in the melt the volume is substantial. Above it the Iffigfalle and the Iffigsee lie in a side valley. In winter the village links to Adelboden's ski area over the Hahnenmoos.

History

Lenk is first mentioned in 1370 as An der Leng, and the Romans kept a way station and a small shrine at the Iffigsee on the road over the Rawil. It split from St. Stephan in 1504, built its church in 1505, and a spa opened in 1843 that grew into a grand hotel by 1900 (Wikipedia, Lenk im Simmental).

Highlights

• A sulphur spring - feeding a spa since 1843.
• The Simmenfalle - water emerging from the cliff and falling in stages.
• The Iffig valley - a second waterfall and a high lake above.
• A glacier at the valley head - the Wildstrubel closing the Simmental.

When to go

June to September, or the ski season. Two days.

Good to know

The falls depend on melt and rain - late summer flow is much reduced. The sulphur water smells accordingly. Lifts and some hotels close between seasons. The Iffig road is narrow and toll-charged in places.

Nearby

Adelboden is over the Hahnenmoos; Gstaad is west via Zweisimmen.

Key facts