Bristen

The Bristen is a mountain in the Glarus Alps, overlooking the valley of the Reuss and located to the south of Amsteg in the canton of Uri, Switzerland. The mountain is located about north of Piz Giuv and the border with the canton of Grisons. The Bristen is considered one of the main landmarks of the canton of Uri.

Geographic setting and description

The Bristen is located about to the south of the village also called Bristen in the Maderanertal and about four kilometers north of Piz Giuv, with the Portlilücke in between.
An arête on the north side of the mountain is divided after into the northern arête and the northeastern arête. Located below the northern arête on is the Bristensee - two hectare wide and deep. On the western side of the mountain a steep arête leads down to the Fellital, the southern side is marked by another arête leading to the Zwächten, which goes further to the Portlilücke. To the east of the Bristen lies the Etzlihütte at above sea level.

Geology

Geologically the Bristen belongs to the aarmassif. The southern part of the mountain consists of several different types of rocks, among them rhyolite and amphibolite. Further to the south the typical aare-granite can be found. For amateur geology the region around the Bristen is interesting, as it is famous for its many different types of minerals and quartz.