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Hikes

Bortelhütte

Discover a varied hike from Rosswald to Bortel and down to Berisal. The starting and finishing points are accessible by public transport. Bortelalp has much to offer – including a cosy alpine hut.

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This trail leading up to the Bortelhütte mountain hut takes hikers through a wide variety of landscapes. It begins in Rosswald, a car-free village that is accessible by cable car and situated on a sunny terrace at the edge of the Simplon Pass. From there, the route heads uphill to Bortelalp, far from the hustle and bustle of town. The trail runs along larch forests, winds across alpine pastures where sheep graze in flocks, and climbs up to the Bortelhütte, which offers an unobstructed and commanding view over the Gantertal, the Ganterbrücke and the Glishorn.

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Turn-by-turn directions

Take the cable-car from Ried-Brig to the village of Rosswald and follow a hiking trail that crosses the central car park, the alp itself being car-free. The route continues to the Bergwasser bisse and takes you to Stafel alpine pasture. You’ll then follow the path downhill, bearing right and watching your step as you go. From Stafel, follow the signs to Bortelalp. After roughly a kilometre, anyone with a head for heights can take the path on the right that overlooks the bisse on its way to Steinutal. Hikers who suffer from vertigo are instead advised to take the path that branches left and make their way across the flank of the Seewjistafel to Steinutal. This will, however, add around 40 to 60 minutes to the hike. Once you reach Steinutal, climb up to Steinuchäller and follow the hiking path to the Bortelhütte mountain hut. After a well-earned rest at the hut, take the path back down to Berisal.

Start: Rosswald, 1'819 m (1823 m)
Destination: Berisal 1'525 m (1520 m)

Author's recommendation

Enjoy the panoramic view of the valley from the Bortelhütte. You can also make out the Glishorn from the terrace of the Bortelhütte.

Technical information

  • Altitude

    2110 m 1521 m

  • Ascent

    535 m

  • Descent

    835 m

  • Technique

    Bewertung: 4 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Stamina

    Bewertung: 4 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Experience

    Bewertung: 5 von 5.0 Punkten

  • Landscape

    Bewertung: 6 .0 von 5.0 Punkten

Best time of year

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Linear route
  • Multi-stage route
  • Scenic
  • Geological highlights
  • Fauna
  • Insider tip
  • 'Healthy climate'
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Flora
  • Cableway ascent/descent

Public transport

From Brig railway station, take the bus to Ried-Brig and descend at the stop “Ried-Brig, Talstation” for the cable car to Rosswald, starting point of your hike to the Bortelhütte. When you arrive in Berisal at the end of your hike, you can take a bus back to Brig station.

Approach

It is best to leave your car in Brig and continue by public transport (follow the instructions under the heading "Public transport").

Parking

The best option is to park at Brig station, which has two car parks.

Equipment

We recommend: 

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

 

For certain walks:

  •  Swimwear

Safety information

Use of the 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.

 

For all hikes:

  • Close gates after passing through.
  • Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
  • Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on «Print» icon, top right of this page.
  • Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
  • Do not leave any waste in nature.

 

For mountain hikes:

  • 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 uncertain weather, turn back in good time.

 For high-altitude hikes:

  • Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
  • Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
  • Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.

Additional information

Further information is available at the tourist offices on Rosswald (in the Magusii grocery store) and Brig.

Literature

Books and documents on the Alpe Rosswald, Gantertal and the history of the region on the Simplon are available from the tourist office in Brig.

Maps

You can get the "Simplon" hiking map at the tourist office in Brig.