Tips for interesting hikes

"If the sound of silence in the enchanted winter wonderland touches your heart, a snow flake falls from the sky just for you, a cool stream of air refreshes you, you are blessed to experience a moment of infinite satisfaction. Where the sunrays break through the clouds and race against the ice crystals, squeezing between the snow-covered firs, you will feel the force of nature in you. Your soul dances over the mantle of white, your thoughts roam the clear blue sky towards the sun - what an incredible feeling of a carefree life. Enjoy the wide smiles of the happy snowmen - feel your aura, be aware of the roots in the frozen soil - lose yourself in the never-ending white of the landscape. Follow your own tracks in the snow - listen to your own voice in the winter forest - embrace the inner you in all shapes and colors. Step by step a new feeling will surround you - the sunny side of life takes over and the daily routine fades away." Dive into this amazing world enjoyed by winter hikers and snow shoe walkers...

Bettmeralp–Riederalp–Riederfurka (duration of hike: 1 ¾ hours)

From the cableways' top station a flat path ("Herrenweg") meanders westward through a beautiful forest. To arrive in Riederalp, you pass through open terrain with a beautiful view of the Mischabel chain, the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn and down into the Rhone valley, taking one hour. This high trail is illuminated at night. From here, the path climbs up to Riederfurka with a few bends. After approx. 45 minutes you reach the Villa Cassel's Pro Natura Center.

Bettmeralp–Fiescheralp–Moränenweg (duration of hike: 2 hours)

From the eastern end of the village of Bettmeralp (Hotel Aletsch) you pass by the "Möriken" group accommodation facility and along the right hand side of Wurzenbord chairlift mastering a pretty steep rise toward Wurzenbord. You go around the right hand side of "Wurzenbord" hill. The path then makes a left toward Bättmer Hitta hut. From the Bättmer Hitta, the path leads to Laxeralp and further on to Fiescheralp, as does the "Herrenweg" in summer.

Bettmeralp–Ried–Bettmeralp forest promenade (duration of hike: 1 ½ hours)

From the cableways' top station this path leads through the lower part of the village passing by the "Alpmatten" ski lift toward Ried. About 100 m (328 ft) after passing a statue of the Virgin Mother, the path gently rises toward the forest promenade. Via the forest promenade you walk in a westerly direction back to Bettmeralp.

Moosfluh–Riederfurka panoramic hiking trail (duration of hike: 2 hours)

The gondola takes you up to Moosfluh, the ideal starting point for this beautiful panoramic hike. The trail leads along the ridge by the Hohfluh top station and further on to Riederfurka. You can enjoy stunning views of the Aletsch glacier, the Fusshörner, down into the Rhone valley and over the Valaisian Alps' four thousand meter peaks (the Weisshorn, Matterhorn, and Dom). 1.5 hours to Riederfurka, 2 hours to Riederalp.

Bettmeralp–Martisbergeralp–Bettmeralp forest promenade (duration of hike: 1 ½ hours)

This path leads from the eastern end of the village of Bettmeralp (Hotel Aletsch) on a relatively flat elevation through "Baschweri" toward Martisbergeralp. After approx. 30 minutes the path gently rises and then continues relatively flat toward "Alter Stafel". From "Alter Stafel" it leads past the "Möriken" group accommodation facility and back to Bettmeralp.

Bettmeralp–lake Bettmersee–Gopplerlücke–Riederalp (duration of hike: 1 ½ hours)

From the bottom station of the Bettmerhorn gondola this path leads up to lake Bettmersee. You continue on a relatively flat path in a westerly direction along the route of the cross-country ski run and later the downhill slope. The path gently rises before arriving at the station of the "Blausee" chairlift . It then turns and leads back to the "Golmenlift" top station. Following the downhill slope the path descends to the Alpine stabling and to "Gopplerlücke". The path then gently descends toward Riederalp.

Golmenegg–Schweiben–Restaurant Adler (duration of hike: 2 hours)

Behind "Golmenegg" the path descends from the main street passing the St. Bernhard chapel. It leads past old Valaisian houses and barns through a sparse woodland and up to restaurant Adler.

Bettmeralp–Ried–Domo–Betten (duration of hike: 2 ½ hours)

From the cableways' top station this path leads through the lower part of the village passing by the "Alpmatten" ski lift toward Ried. The path takes a number of wide bends on its way through the Domo and Breiten pre-Alps toward Egga (ancient part of Betten with beautiful Valaisian houses). The parish church in the village of Betten, built in 1911, is well worth a visit. From here, you will soar gently back up to Bettmeralp by aerial cable car.

Betten–Goppisberg–Greich (duration of hike: 1 hour)

Follow the street in Betten for several hundred feet. The footpath then veers to the right and leads into the picturesque village of Goppisberg. Follow the new street toward Greich. From here, you will soar gently up to Riederalp by aerial cable car.

Bettmeralp / Riederalp Global Trail (duration of hike: 2 hours)

From the aerial cable car station at Bettmeralp the route rises along the Bettmerhorn Lift toward Gopplerlücke. The route continues toward Gollmenegg over a forest rise. The trail passes Gollmenegg via the St. Bernhard Center to Flesch. Via Flesch we climb up toward the Hotel Adler and back to Bettmeralp. Besides the start in Bettmeralp there is a second start in Riederalp.