Lake Hopschu

Lake Hopschu (Hopschusee) is a small alpine lake beside the Simplon Pass, in the municipality of Simplon in the Swiss canton of Valais. It sits at roughly 2,000 m above sea level, below the eastern slope of the Tochuhorn, and makes an easy short outing from the pass road.

Where is the lake?

The water lies right on the divide between the Rhone and Po catchments, so runoff from this spot can head either toward the Mediterranean via the Rhone or toward the Adriatic via the Po. The lake is surrounded by a protected raised bog. According to Valais cantonal authorities, the Simplon-Hopschusee bog is listed as a site of national importance (inventoried in 1991) and was given formal protection in 1996.

How do you get to Lake Hopschu?

Drive up the Simplon Pass road, or take the PostBus to the pass. A popular starting point is Hotel Simplonblick, which has a private car park in front. From there the lake is about an hour's round trip.

• Short loop (about 3 km, 1 hour): from Simplonblick past the bog and alpine huts to the lake, then uphill toward the Simplon Eagle monument and the hospice. It is rated easy.
• Simplon Bergalpe circuit (about 7.8 km, 2.5 hours): starts at the pass summit (Simplon Kulm), passes the lake and continues to Rotelsee.
• In winter: a marked snowshoe trail of about 3.9 km begins at the Monte Leone restaurant and runs above the frozen lake. It is graded easy and takes around two hours.

What will you see?

Open mountain scenery: alpine meadows, dwarf-shrub heath, patches of bog and the peaks around the pass. Common amphibians and insects live in and around the water. The only fish able to cope with this altitude is the minnow (Elritze), as noted by the canton. It is a spot for photos and a quiet pause rather than for swimming or picnicking on the shore.

How should you behave around the bog?

The bog is fragile underfoot. The canton asks visitors not to step onto the shore or the flat ground around the lake, especially in summer when young frogs are about. Swimming is not allowed. Stay on the marked paths and take your litter with you.

When should you go?

Summer to early autumn is the most comfortable season, when trails are free of snow. Weather on the pass changes quickly, so pack a windproof layer and sturdy shoes. In winter the area is used for snowshoeing; check conditions and avalanche risk before setting out.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Lake Hopschu? No. It lies within a protected bog, and swimming is prohibited.

How long is the walk from Simplonblick to the lake? The full loop of roughly 3 km takes about an hour and is easy.

Can I get there by public transport? Yes. A PostBus runs to the Simplon Pass, and the rest is on foot.

Is the lake on a watershed? Yes, it sits directly on the divide between the Rhone and Po basins, at the foot of the Tochuhorn.