Hikes

Stoneman Glaciara Hike

Fiesch

5/9°

Closed

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

Difficult

Length

63.37 km

Duration

22:35 h

Description

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)

Download GPX

Download KML

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

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

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.

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.

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)

For certain walks:

Swimwear

Preparing your hike https://www.valais.ch/en/activities/hiking/preparing-your-hike

Safety information

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

For all hikes:

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.

For mountain hikes:

Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.

For high-altitude hikes:

Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.