As you have already learned from my February newsletter, I had another unforgettable trip to one of the iconic places in Switzerland. This time, I headed to the Aletsch Arena in the canton of Wallis for a beautiful winter hike. The route led from Riederalp, then up the cable car to Moosfluh, from where I had a stunning view of the largest Alpine glacier – Grosser Aletschgletscher. I must admit that in summer, its majestic beauty might have stood out even more because, this time, it was partially lost in the snow. But it was still a really powerful experience. And all the more reason to come back in the summer. From Moosfluh, the route led to the picturesque village of Bettmeralp.
And what pleased me the most? This trip cost me next to nothing! Thanks to the Saver Day Pass, I was able to explore a part of Switzerland comfortably and was delighted to discover on the spot that the cable cars to both the Riederalp and Bettmeralp were included! I bought my Saver Day Pass a few weeks in advance, which came out to 44 CHF. If you don’t want to buy it for a specific day (so you don’t have to pray if the weather works out), you can lurk on the Coop/Interdiscount promotion – a few times a year, this day pass is on sale for 55 CHF (it’s not tied to a specific day, but has a validity period).
Where is Aletsch Arena, and how to get here
Aletsch Arena is located in the canton of Valais (Wallis) in southern Switzerland and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jungfrau-Aletsch. It lies above the Rhone Valley, directly above Mörel, Betten, and Fiesch, from where cable cars lead to the main resorts of Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp.
By train: You reach the Mörel station, which is about a 2-minute walk to the Riederalp cable car station. From Bern, it takes about an hour and a half by train (with a change in Visp), and from Zurich and Lucerne about 2.5 hours.
By car: if you’re coming from Bern, take the Autoverlad Lötschberg to Mörel, if you’re coming from Zurich or Lucerne, either cross the Furka Pass or use the Furka Tunnel car service. You can use the station car park or the nearby Parking Aletsch for parking.
Riederalp
As I wrote, I went to Wallis by train, so I got off at Mörel station and headed to the bottom station of the cable car to Riederalp. The interesting thing about the Riederalp is that while in winter you can enjoy skiing, winter hiking, or ski mountaineering, in summer it attracts hiking and golf on the highest 9-hole course in Europe. As Riederalp is a car-free village and the only way to get here is by cable car, cable cars are part of the public transport system. And therefore, it is covered by the Day Pass! There are two cable cars from the valley station in the following directions: Ried-Mörel and Greich. Both go to the Riederalp, one to the western part of the village, the other to the east (closer to the cable car to Moosfluh). I took the Ried-Mörel cable car to explore the village. Admittedly, it was a bit foggy, so the views weren’t great, so I made my way to the cable car to Moosfluh.
Cable car to Moosfluh
You buy a one-way ticket at the bottom station. With a Half-fare card, it costs CHF 10. The cable car combines seats and cabins; you can board the cabin as a non-skier and hiker.
View of the Great Aletsch Glacier
From the Moosfluh viewpoint, you will have a fascinating view of the largest glacier in the Alps – the Great Aletsch Glacier. The Aletsch Glacier is a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site and its massive ice masses stretch for 23 km. Did you know that the Great Aletsch Glacier contains enough water to supply the entire city of Zurich with drinking water for four years?
From Moosfluh towards Bettmeralp
From the viewpoint Moosfluh, head towards Bettmeralp. The route takes you through a beautiful winter landscape, during which you will enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Aletsch Arena area and the majestic peaks of the Wallis Alps.
You will keep in the direction of Chüestall. The route runs alongside the slope in places but crosses it in some sections, so be careful and always take a good look around.
Once you pass the snow-covered mountain lake Bettmersee, you are practically at your destination.
Grand Tour of Switzerland Photo Spot
In Bettmeralp, you will also find the famous red photo frame of the Grand Tour of Switzerland. It is strategically placed so that you can be photographed at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows (Kapelle Maria zum Schnee), which is considered the landmark of this mountain village.
Bettmeralp
The hike ends at the top station of the Bettmeralp cable car, from where you can comfortably return to the valley or enjoy a well-deserved rest in one of the cosy mountain restaurants. The cable car from Bettmeralp runs every 20 minutes and takes you to the Bettmeralp station, Talstation, where you board the train.
Summary
- This route is approximately 6 kilometers long.
- The trail is marked with pink poles.
- It is not necessary to have snowshoes; the trail is well-maintained.
- Although not listed as a sledding hill, if you have more minor children, I would bring a sled so they can get a little ride if they have sore feet.
