Hikes

Hike from Belalp to Riederalp via the suspension bridge

Hängebrücke Belalp - Riederalp

Blatten Belalp

Closed

The adrenaline buzz on the suspension bridge, the imposing view of the glacier gate and ancient Swiss stone pines in Aletsch Forest make this hike a truly impressive experience.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

11.43 km

Duration

4:30 h

Description

From Hotel Belalp you hike down the Steigle to Aletschji, from where you cross the Leng Acker to the old glacier ascent and to the Belalp-Riederalp suspension bridge. At 124m long and 80m high, the suspension bridge is the highlight of the tour! Spanning the Massa Gorge, it gives you a stunning view of the snout of the Great Aletsch Glacier. After crossing the bridge, you have a choice of two routes for the ascent to Riederfurka: one takes you through the shady Teiffewald forest, the other via Silbersand and a place known as Death Valley since it can get very hot there in strong sunshine. From Silbersand the path rises slightly through Aletsch Forest to Riederfurka. The descent to Riederalp is the last stage of this impressive hike.

Turn-by-turn directions

Belalp - Hotel Belalp - Aletschji - Bridge - Riederfurka - Riederalp

Start

Belalp, top station of aerial cable car (2094m)

Destination

Riederalp, top station of aerial cable car Mitte (1910m)

Author's recommendation

The  offered by Aletsch Bahnen AG lets you use all public transport and cable cars on this hike

Technical information

Altitude

2133m

1560m

Ascent

+604m

Descent

-782m

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tags

  • Linear route
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Flora
  • Cableway ascent/descent
Getting there
Information

Public transport

From Brig train station until Blatten b. Naters with the bus line 624 (travel time: 15 -20 Min.)

Approach

Take Cantonal Road 19 to the Brig exit, then follow Blattenstrasse from Naters to the valley station of the Blatten-Belalp cable car in Blatten bei Naters.

Parking

Large pay car park at the valley station of the Blatten-Belalp cable car.

Equipment

We recommend: 
  • good footwear
  • clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
  • hat or cap
  • sunscreen
  • bottle for water
  • picnic
  • camera
  • binoculars (optional)
  • hiking poles (optional)
  • printout of this hike (click «Print» icon, to download)  

Safety information

Summer sports report

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Aletsch Arena AG accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.

  • Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on «Print» icon, top right of this page.
  • Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
  • Close gates after passing through.
  • Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
  • Do not leave any waste in nature.

Additional information


Furkastrasse 39
CH-3983 Mörel-Filet
+41 27 928 58 58
info@aletscharena.ch
www.aletscharena.ch

 


Rischinustrasse 5
CH-3914 Blatten b. Naters
+41 27 921 60 40
tourismus@belalp.ch
www.belalp.ch

Literature

Get a free panoramic map at the cable car stations and info centres of the Aletsch Arena.  

Maps

SwissTopo maps 1:25’000: 1269 Aletschgletscher

Source

This activity is brought to you by Aletsch Arena AG. Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.

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