Mountain bike tours

Nessel loop trail

Nesselloop

Blatten Belalp

8/14°

Closed

The Nesselloop leads from Belalp to Birgisch via Nesselalp and offers bike fans a breathtaking panoramic view of the Valais mountains as well as a thrilling trail!

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

11.5 km

Duration

55 m
Nesselloop
Nesselloop
Nesselloop
Kapelle Nessel
Nesselloop
Nesselloop
Nesselloop

Description

The Nessel loop trail takes you through alpine meadows, fields of blueberries and along the Nessjeri Suone (ancient irrigation channel) to Nesselalp. It is well worth taking a few minutes to take in the breath-taking panorama with the 18th century Maria of the Snow chapel in the foreground. From Nesselalp, the trail leads you over rock slabs and tree roots. As of Chittumatte, the trail gets stonier and dustier as you approach Birgisch. Advanced biking skills are required for the route between Belalp and Birgisch.

Our favorites

Our favorite itineraries are part of a selection of the best routes in the region and are proposed by Valais/Wallis Promotion to best meet the expectations of our guests.

Turn-by-turn directions

The route is indicated by red signposts. An easy descent on a gravel road from the cable car mountain station takes you to the Kelchbach cable car and chair lift facilities. Follow the signs to reach Unner Staful on the Bäll alpine pasture. From there, cross the bridge over the Kelchbach river to rejoin the panoramic Nesselalp trail. Once you reach Nessel, you’ll pass in front of a small, rustic chapel before making your way down towards Birgisch. The path leading to Birgisch is fairly steep, but nonetheless easy to tackle. From Oberbrigisch, there are a number of possible routes for continuing towards Birgisch, Mund, Naters or Brig.

Start

Mountain station of the cable car on Belalp (2100m) (2095m)

Destination

Birgisch car park (1093m) (1091m)

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Author's recommendation

Take a break in Nesselalp, which offers a spectacular view of the Aletsch Glacier and the surrounding peaks, before making the descent to Birgisch.

Technical information

Altitude

2098m

1091m

Ascent

+66m

Descent

-1070m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

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

Tags

  • Singletrail/Free ride
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Insider tip
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Cultural/historical interest
  • Flora
  • Cableway ascent/descent
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Blatten near Naters can be reached by public transport from Brig or Naters.

You can reach Belalp from Blatten by cable car.

Take the post bus from Brig to Birgisch car park and start your tour there.

You will find the timetable and further information on how to get there at: www.belalp.ch 

Approach

A9 Lausanne - Vevey, or north-western Switzerland: A12 Bern - Vevey: A9 - Sierre: main road Sierre - Brig

A6 Berne - Thun - Spiez: main road Spiez - Kandersteg (Lötschberg tunnel car transport) - Goppenstein - Gampel - Brig

Andermatt - Realp (year-round Furka car transport; in summer via Furka Pass) - Oberwald - Brig

Airolo - Nufenenpass - Ulrichen - Brig

Or via Centovalli - Domodossola - Simplonpass - Brig

Aosta - Grand Saint Bernard tunnel (over the pass in summer) - Martigny: A9 motorway - Sierre: Sierre - Brig main road.

Or via Domodossola - Simplon Pass - Brig

From Brig you can reach Blatten bei Naters via Naters, then take the cable car to the car-free Belalp.

Parking

Paid parking is available in the Chienzlichrommu and in the multi-storey car park in Blatten near Naters.

You can find more info at:

www.belalp.ch 

Equipment

We recommend bike in excellent working order, helmet, gloves and bell, clothing suitable for the

weather (always carry a waterproof), food and drink.

Safety information

Use marked bike trails and routes only, and observe all signposting. Please close gates after passing

through. Please be considerate to walkers and to plants and animals. As a rule, walkers have priority. When planning, take into account participants’ fitness level and ability. All riding is at one’s own risk.

Additional information

If you have any questions, please contact:

www.belalp.ch 

bahnen@belalp.ch 

+41 (0)27 921 65 10

tourismus@belalp.ch 

+41 (0)27 921 60 40

 

View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility: 

No 157 Nesselloop Bike

Literature

The tourist office in Blatten has got brochures and information material about mountain biking in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 

SwissTopo

Source

This activity is brought to you by Blatten-Belalp Tourismus. Valais/Wallis Promotion is not responsible for the content provided.

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