Winter hikes

Aletschbordweg

Blatten Belalp

10/17°

This winter hike from Belalp mountain station to Aletschbord and back might be easy, but it’s also very impressive. The Great Aletsch Glacier alone is an utterly fascinating experience, with its gigantic 27 billion tonnes of ice.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

2.83 km

Duration

52 m

Description

There are 36 metres in altitude difference to cover on the connecting road between Blatten mountain station at 2,094 metres in altitude and Aletschbord at 2,130 metres in altitude. Which means you won’t exactly find yourself out of breath on this winter hike – or at least, not because of the climb. But the view of the Great Aletsch Glacier – the longest in the Alps at 20km and part of the UNESCO Jungfrau Aletsch World Heritage Site – just might take your breath away. Coupled with the striking view of Valais’s four-thousand-meter peaks, it makes an unforgettable impression. The panoramic terrace of Hotel Belalp offers another unique view, as well as some wonderful cuisine. The hotel opened for business during the Belle Époque in 1858 and was renovated in 2015 in keeping with the original style. In its early days it primarily welcomed guests from England, as well as the Irish alpinist and scientist John Tyndall, who spent an amazing 44 summers there.

Turn-by-turn directions

The winter hike starts at Belalp mountain station. From there, walk for roughly 30 minutes on the connecting road between the station and Hotel Belalp to Bruchegg and on to Aletschbord. Watch out for skiers coming in the opposite direction on this section of the route. The return journey follows the same route.

Start

Belalp Station amont (2095m)

Destination

Aletschbord Belalp (2130m)

Download GPX

Download KML

Author's recommendation

Although this is a short route, take the time to enjoy the exceptional view of the imposing Aletsch Glacier on Aletschbord and replenish your energy levels at Hotel Belalp.

Technical information

Altitude

2133m

2082m

Ascent

+91m

Descent

-56m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Accessible by train and bus. From Brig station, take the PostBus to Blatten (Belalp).

Approach

Motorway A9 direction Brig. Continue direction Naters until Blatten.

Parking

Short-stay car park

For durations of less than one day, the best option is the short-stay car park (fee payable).

Indoor / outdoor car parks

Guests who stay for longer than 2 days in Blatten-Belalp can park in the outdoor or indoor car parks. Payment can be made at the ticket machines or at the information and ticket counters in Blatten.

The car parks cost CHF 12.00 a day in winter and CHF 9.00 in summer.

Guests who have paid the tourist tax or who are members of Pro Blatten enjoy a discount of 15%.

Rischinu car park

During the winter season, the car park in Rischinu may be used free of charge. A regular shuttle bus carries guests to the base station of the cable car and gondola in comfort.

Further information