The perfect stay for hikers

Once you arrive in Upper Valais, you can opt to visit the World Nature Forum for a chance to get acquainted with the Jungfrau-Aletsch region, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn everything there is to know about the Great Aletsch Glacier and its 20 kilometres of ice, making it one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the Alps.

Continue your first day with a short walk to Blatten where you can return to Belalp by cable car. It is also worth noting that the Aletsch Arena has been awarded the “Family Destination” label by the Swiss Tourism Federation, so be sure to bring the whole family to this slice of paradise and give young minds the opportunity to discover eternal ice, a nature reserve, suspended footbridges and stunning panoramas.

Grab your walking boots and set off on a hike where your first stop will be the Aletschbord vantage point, where an unobstructed view of the Great Aletsch Glacier awaits! As you follow the route, you’ll reach the Aletsch footbridge, a 124-metre-long walkway suspended 50 metres above the ground across the Massa Gorge. Once on the other side, you’ll be in the protected Aletsch forest, a conservation area where hundred-year-old Swiss pines thrive.

Just before you arrive in Riederalp where you’ll spend your second night, be sure to stop off at Villa Cassel. This historic building from the early 20th century was renovated in 2020 and is now fully carbon neutral. If you are a fan of mountain cheese, you can also find out how it is made at the Riederalp Alpine Museum before enjoying a delicious fondue in one of the resort’s restaurants.

This new stage takes you from Riederalp to Fiescheralp on panoramic trails offering uninterrupted views of the Aletsch and Fiescher Glaciers, as well as the highest peaks of the Valais Alps. Capture the beauty of the surrounding landscape from the Moosfluh, Bettmerhorn and Eggishorn vantage points or from the Blausee, a mountain lake with a commanding view of the highest four-thousanders, including the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn and the Dom.

On your way, you pass by Lake Märjelen which, with its wealth of colourful mountain flowers and its location near the impressively sized Gletscherstube mountain hut, provides an ideal place to stop for a break.  Unless you’d prefer to discover the Bettmersee mountain lake which provides an idyllic setting for a delicious picnic along the way.

On this final day of hiking from Fiescheralp to Bellwald, there is an adventure in store as you cross the Aspi-Titter suspended footbridge, a 160-metre-long walkway soaring 120 metres above the Weisswasser River. Keep an eye on the impressive panoramic views accompanying you throughout the walk and, if you feel so inclined, you can add a few kilometres to your route to admire the Fiescher Glacier from Bellwald.

If you're staying a bit longer, why not check out some of the other great activities on offer in the Aletsch region? Families can make some furry friends at the animal park near Fiesch, while sports lovers can tackle a via ferrata for a unique view of the Fiescher Glacier or head off on a mountain bike ride at one of the destination’s dedicated facilities.