Stoneman Glaciara Hike

Fiesch
-3/7°
Between elation and awe. Follow the call of the Alps and experience 65 kilometres of pure trail fascination on the Stoneman Glaciara Hike - an exclusive adventure in Switzerland for fans of hiking and trail running.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
63.37 kmDuration
22:35 hDescription
Part of the route between Fiesch and Lax is inaccessible following a landslide this spring near the Altbach stream.
Following the success of the Stoneman Glaciara for mountain bikers, here is the Stoneman Glaciara Hike, an exclusive adventure for hikers and trail runners.
Experience these magical routes on paths deep within mystical forests leading up to incredible views of a sea of mountain peaks of over 4,000 m high. On the program: a breathtaking 3,150 metre difference in height, two suspension bridges spanning the valley, a spectacular ridge walk and the billions of tons of ice of Central Europe’s mightiest glacier – that’s the Stoneman Glaciara Hike.
It is entirely up to you whether you wish to trail run or hike, and experience the Stoneman Glaciara Hike in one, two or three daily stages.
Get the official starter pack and follow the perfectly signposted route for a stunning adventure.
Turn-by-turn directions
The tour starts in Biel in the Goms valley. Climb the Gommer Höhenweg to Bellwald and the Aspi-Titter suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, a steep climb to the crystal-clear waters of Märjelenwang awaits you. At Märjelen, you’ll pass below the lake and continue to the Eggishorn, from where you’ll have a magnificent view of the longest river of ice in the Alps, the great Aletsch glacier.
Immediately afterwards, experience another highlight with the ridge hike from the Eggishorn to the Bettmerhorn and then on to the Moosfluh viewpoints. If the ridge is not viable due to weather conditions, there is an equally breathtaking alternative: the northern bypass, which brings you even closer to the icy giants.
Descend to Bettmeralp and continue towards Alpmatten and Martisberg to the holiday resort of Fiesch. Here you’ll cross the Rhone, pass the picturesque villages of Ernen and Mühlebach and cross back over the Goms Bridge to the other side.
The ascent to the St. Anne's chapel begins and you’ll walk towards Niederwald, cross the Rhone again before Blitzingen and follow the forest path in the Goms valley to Reckingen. Once you have reached Reckingen, return to your starting point in Biel.
The entire route is perfectly signposted in an anti-clockwise direction. You’ll find the Stoneman Hike signs either attached to the local hiking signs or marked on the ground.
Start
Different starting points (1037m)
Destination
Different points of arrival (1037m)
Author's recommendation
Start and finish the trail wherever you like. There are numerous accommodation options available in the various destinations.
Technical information
Altitude
2839m
1005m
Ascent
+3341m
Descent
-3341m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
CFF train to Brig via the Lötschberg (from Bern) or Sion (from Lausanne), followed by regional trains to Goms and the start of the hike. Remember to reserve a place for your mountain bike on the SBB mobile application or on sbb.ch.
Approach
The route crosses main road 19 at the holiday village of Fiesch, at the lower station of Fürgangen and to the north-east in Biel.
Brig is the inter-regional SBB station. In addition, the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn runs through the Rhone Valley and is an optimal transport option for runners who wish to stay in one place and therefore require a transfer.
Parking
Follow the parking signs at your point of departure.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion