Snowshoeing

Bettmeralp - Riederalp Trail

Bettmeralp - Riederalp Trail

Bettmeralp

8/15°

Closed

The easy, well-marked snowshoe trail tempts you with a winter idyll to leave the hiking trails behind. Enjoy the beauty of nature, fascinating views and glorious silence.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

4 km

Duration

2:30 h
Bettmeralp - Riederalp Trail
Bettmeralp - Riederalp Trail
Bettmeralp - Riederalp Trail
Bettmeralp - Riederalp Trail

Description

The marked trail begins at the mountain station of the Bettmeralp cable car and climbs gently towards Hotel Waldhaus. Continue past Chalet Tosca – along the edge of the forest and parallel to the Blausee ski lift – until you reach Gopplerlücke The highest point of the snowshoe tour affords you jaw-dropping views of the snow-covered Valais Alps. Following the forest ridge, the snowshoe tour now takes you gently downhill. Via Schweibuflüe you eventually arrive at Golmenegg. Here you cross the Aletsch Promenade and follow the trail down into the valley. Passing the St. Bernhard Chapel, your hike takes you eastwards via Biel and Flesch across open ground. After a short climb through an idyllic forest, you reach the Aletschpromenade level with Restaurant Adler. Take the Aletschpromenade to return to Bettmeralp.

Turn-by-turn directions

Bettmeralp cable car mountain station – Hotel Waldhaus – Gopplerlücke – Golmenegg – St. Bernhard Chapel – Flesch – Restaurant Adler – Bettmeralp cable car mountain station

The marked trail begins at the mountain station of the Bettmeralp cable car and climbs gently towards Hotel Waldhaus. Continue past Chalet Tosca – along the edge of the forest and parallel to the Blausee ski lift – until you reach Gopplerlücke The highest point of the snowshoe tour affords you jaw-dropping views of the snow-covered Valais Alps. Following the forest ridge, the snowshoe tour now takes you gently downhill. Via Schweibuflüe you eventually arrive at Golmenegg. Here you cross the Aletsch Promenade and follow the trail down into the valley. Passing the St. Bernhard Chapel, your hike takes you eastwards via Biel and Flesch across open ground. After a short climb through an idyllic forest, you reach the Aletschpromenade level with Restaurant Adler. Take the Aletschpromenade to return to Bettmeralp.

Start

Bettmeralp, top station of aerial cable car (1925m)

Destination

Bettmeralp, top station of aerial cable car (1923m)

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Author's recommendation

It’s as if the Rhone Valley were at your feet. The wonderful vista from Flesch (after about ¾ of the tour) down into the valley will thrill you.

Technical information

Altitude

2058m

1842m

Ascent

+244m

Descent

-245m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

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

Tags

  • Scenic
  • Round trip
  • Refreshment stops available
Getting there
Information

Public transport

By train from Brig or Oberwald to Betten valley station. Take the Bettmeralp cable car (Aletsch Bahnen AG) up to Bettmeralp.

Approach

Take Kantonsstrasse 19 to the Betten Valley Station exit. Take the Bettmeralp cable car (Aletsch Bahnen AG) up to Bettmeralp.

Parking

Large pay car park near the valley station of the Bettmeralp cable car (Aletsch Bahnen AG).

Equipment

We recommend:   

  • good, waterproof footwear
  • snowshoes
  • hiking poles
  • clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
  • hat or cap
  • sunscreen
  • bottle for water, picnic
  • camera
  • printout of this hike (click “Print” icon, top right, to download)

Safety information

 Winter sports report

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. 

  • 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.

  • Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals. Do not leaveanywaste in nature.

  • 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 uncertainweather, turn back in good time.

  • Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.

  • Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger, especially the danger of avalanches.

  • Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible, avoid going alone.

Note(s) 
The altitude and the route mean that good footwear is absolutely essential for this winter hike.

The snowshoe trails can be tackled without a mountain guide. Beware: they are not prepared in any way and are not controlled daily; nor are they secured from natural hazards such as avalanches or rockfalls. For safety, check the weather forecast and current avalanche bulletin. Use of the trails is at your own risk!

Additional information

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

 

 

View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility

Literature

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

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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