Tips for interesting hikes

Once upon a time, many thousand years ago, our Aletsch glacier wanted to discover the world and set off through the Rhone valley. But no matter where it went, its cold heart still beat to the slow and warm rhythm of the mountain world. So, after the last Ice Age, the glacier returned home. Back to the “Bozen” (scary beings) and sagas, to the thousand-year-old forest, the thunderous waterfalls, and the gorgeous peaks in the Aletsch area. Why don't you go and visit it? Explore the sound of silence in the forests, drift along with the mountain breeze that takes you through the gentle scenery of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Aletsch glacier path (duration of hike: 4 - 5 hours)

Your trip starts at the Bettmerhorn gondola top station, from where you follow the alpine trail offering stunning views of the Great Aletsch glacier. After a gentle decline, the path begins to meander and leads across some stone steps towards Rote Chumma. From here, the walk continues over a wide path cut into the rock, heading towards the Märjelen glacier lake. The wild surroundings are reminiscent of a polar landscape. From here, you walk through the Tälligrat tunnel (shorter way, tunnel lighted) or around Tälligrat (longer way but more impressive scenery) to Fiescheralp and Bettmeralp.

Aletsch Forest (duration of hike: 4 ½ hours)

From Bettmeralp you walk up to Lake Bettmer. At the west shore the hiking trail branches off to the left in the direction of Gopplerlücke - Riederfurka. Having made your way to Riederfurka you will have a view of the stunning Villa Cassel, Switzerland's first Pro Natura Center. The natural science exhibition and the alpine garden at the Pro Natura Center are well worth a visit.
At Riederfurka, the gateway to the protected area, the hike moves into the impressive Aletsch Forest. After approx. 30 minutes you will be rewarded with a superb view of his majesty, the Great Aletsch glacier. Passing by the oldest and highest pine stone trees in Europe, the trail reaches Biel. From here it starts the descent back to Lake Bettmer and Bettmeralp.

Massa trail (duration of hike: 5 ½ hours)

The trail departs Bettmeralp and makes its way up to Lake Bettmer. At the west shore the hiking trail branches off to the left in the direction of Gopplerlücke - Riederfurka. On arrival at Riederfurka, take the trail towards the Gebidum reservoir. The walk continues for approx. one hour on a rather steep downhill trail. When you reach the dam at the Gebidum reservoir, take the path alongside the Riederi water conduit (mentioned for the first time in 1385) and follow it down the new trail recently cut out of the mountain high above the Massa Gorge. Along the Riederi water conduit you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Rhone valley and the Valaisian Alps and you will arrive in Ried-Mörel after approx. 2 hours. Here you can take the cable car to bring you conveniently back to Riederalp. On arrival at Riederalp, the trail embarks on the last stretch towards Bettmeralp (approx. 40 minutes).
(If you want to avoid the steep descent from Riederfurka to the Gebidum reservoir, you can travel to Blatten, near Naters, by public transportation in the morning. From Blatten you will reach the Gebidum dam in approx. 45 minutes on a gentle trail).

Steep track to the summit of the Bettmerhorn (duration of hike: 4 - 4 ½ hours)

The hike commences at Bettmeralp, passing alongside Lake Bettmer, up to the Bettmerhorn gondola top station. Following a well constructed hiking trail, you will arrive at the top station of the Bettmerhorn in approx. 2 hours. In front of the Bettmerhorn mountain restaurant, the trail branches off to the right towards the Bettmerhorn summit. The steep uphill track, partly cut in the rock, is secured with rope handrails as it leads over the south edge towards the summit of the Bettmerhorn. Wooden steps have been added at some points to make the climb easier. Your efforts will be rewarded with a most impressive panorama as you climb. You will reach the summit in approx. 30 minutes. Let your eyes ramble over the Rhone valley and the longest glacier in the Alps - the Aletsch glacier below. To enjoy this unique experience, all you need is to be steady of foot and in relatively good shape.
The way back to the Bettmerhorn top station leads again over the steep track. From the mountain restaurant, take the hiking trail towards Biel which will take you approx. 1 ½ hours to return to Bettmeralp.
(As an alternative to the walk from Bettmeralp to the Bettmerhorn or vice versa, you can take the gondola up or downhill)

UNESCO World Heritage high trail from Bettmerhorn to Eggishorn (duration of hike: 3 hours)

To the north, the hike on the ridge offers an incredible view of the great Aletsch glacier and the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To the south is a stunning view of the Rhone valley, the Binntal (valley), and the mountains of the Valaisian Alps.
This hike from the Bettmerhorn gondola top station to the Eggishorn top station takes approximately 3 hours.
From the top station, you can take the fixed-rope route and arrive at the peak of the Bettmerhorn (summit cross) in about 30 minutes.
The trail secured with climbing aids where appropriate, continues from here about 1.5 km (0.93 miles) along the ridge until its end.
There, you cross a steep step (there are fixed ropes to hold on to) down to Elselücke. From Elselücke, you walk along a nice, wide hiking trail for about 45 minutes until you reach the Eggishorn top station, or you can continue straight back to Fiescheralp and the Bettmeralp starting point.
The UNESCO World Heritage high trail is an alpine hike (signposted blue-white-blue) designated only for experienced and sure-footed hikers who have no problems with heights. It is advised that you not depart from the signposted trail from the Bettmerhorn ridge to Elselücke.
Top-level hiking.
Round-trip ticket available for the Bettmerhorn high trail to Eggishorn route.

Walking through the villages (duration of hike: 4 - 5 hours)

The route leads from Bettmeralp to Betten-Dorf. It passes by the Ried and Domo mountain pastures alongside some beautiful alpine meadows to reach the mountain village of Betten in approx. 2 ½ hours. The mountain pastures give you an idea how the residents used to live. With its black larch houses, Betten epitomizes a typical Valaisian village and is well worth a closer look.
Take the road leaving the village towards the west and you will reach Goppisberg after approx. 35 minutes The village of Greich is 30 minutes further on. Goppisberg and Greich are two small and neat Valaisian villages. Both are situated on a slope surrounded by lovely meadows and pastures.
From Greich you can take the cable car which leads conveniently up to Riederalp. From here the hike ends with a stroll along the Aletsch promenade back to Bettmeralp.

In the marmots' natural habitat (duration of hike: 1 hour)

Take the chairlift for a convenient ride up to Schönbiel. The learning path begins at the top station of the chairlift.
Along the marmot learning path, which winds its way over alpine meadows, you will have the unique opportunity to watch marmots in their natural habitat and learn fascinating facts about their life. Several signposts reveal thrilling and interesting facts about these cute little alpine critters. On your way to Lake Bettmer there are various lookout points and if you are patient and look out carefully you are sure to see some marmots. The learning path ends at Lake Bettmer.