The second day looks short on paper. On the road, it is a pass climb with no hiding place. From Guttannen the route keeps following the Haslital upwards, first with forest and the Aare beside the road, then with more rock, concrete and tunnel walls. Around Handegg, the valley feels engineered: retaining walls, power infrastructure, the Gelmerbahn climbing towards Gelmersee above. After that, the road works its way out of the valley in bends. Räterichsbodensee sits hard in the landscape, all dam wall, water and stone; higher up, Grimselsee and the Grimsel Hospiz mark the next level. The final switchbacks lead to the pass. At the top, Totesee lies beside the road.
