Hikes
Bortelhütte
Rosswald
-9/-3°
Discover a varied hike from Rosswald to Bortel and down to Berisal. The starting and finishing points are accessible by public transport. Bortelalp has much to offer – including a cosy alpine hut.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
10.98 kmDuration
3:45 h
Description
This trail leading up to the Bortelhütte mountain hut takes hikers through a wide variety of landscapes. It begins in Rosswald, a car-free village that is accessible by cable car and situated on a sunny terrace at the edge of the Simplon Pass. From there, the route heads uphill to Bortelalp, far from the hustle and bustle of town. The trail runs along larch forests, winds across alpine pastures where sheep graze in flocks, and climbs up to the Bortelhütte, which offers an unobstructed and commanding view over the Gantertal, the Ganterbrücke and the Glishorn.
Turn-by-turn directions
Take the cable-car from Ried-Brig to the village of Rosswald and follow a hiking trail that crosses the central car park, the alp itself being car-free. The route continues to the Bergwasser bisse and takes you to Stafel alpine pasture. You’ll then follow the path downhill, bearing right and watching your step as you go. From Stafel, follow the signs to Bortelalp. After roughly a kilometre, anyone with a head for heights can take the path on the right that overlooks the bisse on its way to Steinutal. Hikers who suffer from vertigo are instead advised to take the path that branches left and make their way across the flank of the Seewjistafel to Steinutal. This will, however, add around 40 to 60 minutes to the hike. Once you reach Steinutal, climb up to Steinuchäller and follow the hiking path to the Bortelhütte mountain hut. After a well-earned rest at the hut, take the path back down to Berisal.
Start
Rosswald, 1'819 m (1823m)
Destination
Berisal 1'525 m (1520m)
Author's recommendation
Enjoy the panoramic view of the valley from the Bortelhütte. You can also make out the Glishorn from the terrace of the Bortelhütte.
Technical information
Altitude
2110m
1521m
Ascent
+535m
Descent
-835m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Getting there
Information
Public transport
From Brig railway station, take the bus to Ried-Brig and descend at the stop “Ried-Brig, Talstation” for the cable car to Rosswald, starting point of your hike to the Bortelhütte. When you arrive in Berisal at the end of your hike, you can take a bus back to Brig station.
Approach
It is best to leave your car in Brig and continue by public transport (follow the instructions under the heading "Public transport").
Parking
The best option is to park at Brig station, which has two car parks.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Brig Simplon Tourismus AG. Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.