Snowshoeing

Fiesch - Fiescheralp Trail

Fiesch

5/9°

Closed

You have to be fit to make it all the way from the valley up to Fiescheralp! But the climb through the idyllic forest, past picturesque Valais houses, is well worth the effort.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

5.41 km

Duration

3:30 h

Description

The snowshoe hike starts on valley floor, in Fiesch. The path winds in tight serpentines through the snow-covered forest up to Fiescherstafel. After an ascent that requires quite some stamina, the beautifully situated, idyllic hamlet invites you to take a well-deserved breather with tremendous views. Here you leave the forest behind you. Parallel to the Heimatt piste, the snowshoe tour now continues uphill over open terrain to your destination on Fiescheralp.

Turn-by-turn directions

Start

Fiesch, Birchi (1090m)

Destination

Fiescheralp, top station of aerial cable car Fiesch-Fiescheralp (2211m)

Download GPX

Download KML

Author's recommendation

With its quaint Valais houses, Fiescherstafel is a unique spot for a break and some photos. Especially as snowshoes make it look like the olden days.

Technical information

Altitude

2212m

1090m

Ascent

+1122m

Descent

-0m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

By train from Brig or Oberwald to Fiesch, on foot to the start of the tour in the Birchi district.

Approach

Take Kantonsstrasse 19 to the Fiesch exit, follow Furkastrasse as far as the parking facilities.

Parking

Large pay car park at the valley station of the Fiesch-Eggishorn 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!