Snowshoeing

Waldegga Trail

Die Aussicht auf die höchtsen Berge des Wallis

Staldenried – Gspon

The Waldegga Trail in Gspon is special for many reasons, including the pure sunshine, enchanting views and all-round relaxation in a snow-capped winter forest. Although above all, it's still possible to hike it when many other snowshoe tours are no longer feasible.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

4.4 km

Duration

1:41 h

Description

On the Waldegga Trail in Gspon ob Staldenried you’ll follow in the footsteps of football legend Ottmar Hitzfeld, who lent his name to the highest football stadium in Europe, situated at around 2,000m above sea level. This is a fairly steep trail, and is therefore aimed at snowshoe hikers who have experience on similar terrain and are in good physical condition.  Once you’ve passed the Waldegga ski lift, the high-altitude hike takes you through a stone pine and larch forest towards Sädolti, with the peaks of the Bietschhorn, Aletschorn and Finsteraarhorn visible in the distance. The trail then continues up to Seewjini, where the forest becomes sparser. Eagle-eyed snowshoe hikers might even catch a glimpse of a wood grouse. Later on you can watch the ski pros tearing down the slopes before heading back down to the football stadium and the cable car station.

Turn-by-turn directions

The Waldegga Trail begins at the mountain station of the Staldenried-Gspon cable car, then leads past the Ottmar Hitzfeld Arena and the Waldegg ski lift before entering the forest. From there, it continues towards Waldegga, Sädolti and Seewjini. A little further on, beneath Scheidbodo and near the Gspon ski lift, the trail heads downhill back to the football stadium and along the road until it reaches the departure point.

Start

Gspon (1892m)

Destination

Gspon (1892m)

Author's recommendation

This particularly sunny route is recommended in mid-winter as well as in early spring, when many other snowshoe trails are no longer accessible. 

Technical information

Altitude

2042m

1892m

Ascent

+151m

Descent

-151m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

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

Tags

  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Insider tip
  • Summit route
  • Round trip
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Forest roads
  • Clear area
  • Forest
Getting there
Information

Public transport

Accessible by train and bus. From Visp station to Staldenried and by cable car to Gspon.

Approach

Motorway A9 direction Visp. Main road direction Saas-Fee / Zermatt junction Staldenried.

Parking

Parkings in Stalden or Staldenried.

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

Use of the snowshoe 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.

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

Additional information

More information about the destination: 

Staldenried – Gspon

Literature

The tourist office in Stalden has got brochures and information material about hiking in the region.

Maps

SwissTopo Maps: 1:50’000: 274S Visp

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion