recommended route
Bettmerhorn – Hängebrücke Aspi-Titter
Hiking Trail
· Valais
-
Hiking along the Aletsch glacier, BettmerhornPhoto: Patrick Güller, Valais/Wallis Promotion
For hikers with a head for heights: this route features a steep downhill section and crosses the Aspi-Titter suspension bridge.
moderate
Distance 19.4 km
6:55 h
635 m
1,726 m
2,652 m
1,559 m
Situated at the foot of the Fiesch Glacier, 120 metres above the waters of the Weisswasser River, the Aspi-Titter bridge connects the Conches Valley to the Aletsch Glacier. The bridge allows the public to access the enchanting landscapes of the Aletsch Arena’s resorts after a demanding hike. The Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is visible along the entire route. Experienced hikers can also look forward to landscapes shaped by the eternal ice, colourful alpine flora and an idyllic glacial lake.
Author’s recommendation
After the downhill section, take a well-earned break at the Burg mountain hut. With a bit of luck, you might spot some ibex with your binoculars.
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,652 m
Lowest point
1,559 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rest stops
Mountain hut GletscherstubeSafety 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:
- 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.
- Close gates after passing through.
- 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.
Tips and hints
More information about the destination: Bellwald
Start
Bettmerhorn (2,649 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'649'117E 1'140'098N
DD
46.410441, 8.077420
DMS
46°24'37.6"N 8°04'38.7"E
UTM
32T 429092 5140065
w3w
///wordplay.pony.cosmic
Destination
Bellwald
Turn-by-turn directions
The hike starts at the Bettmerhorn View Point, close to the Bettmerhorn cable car station. First, make your way downhill towards the Rote Chumma via “Uf de Setzu”. The spectacular Aletsch Glacier will be visible throughout this section of the route as you draw closer to it with every step. You’ll then take a path that is hewn into the rock, following its stone steps towards Märjelen and the lake of the same name, until you reach the Gletscherstube mountain hut. After this, follow the Märjelenweg trail to the Burg mountain hut, and continue until you reach the Aspi-Titter suspension bridge. You’ll need to watch your step during this relatively steep section, which includes a descent of some 600 metres. You’ll also need a head for heights as you make your way across the suspension bridge. Once you reach the other side, continue downhill to the centre of Bellwald via Obflie, Ried and Gasse. From there, take the cable car to Fürgangen and return to Fiesch by train.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Regular train connections from all over Switzerland to Betten valley station (change in Brig from SBB to the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn), then take the cable car up to Bettmeralp. Ten-minute walk through the village to the Bettmerhorn gondola. At the end of the hike, take the cable car from Bellwald to Fürgangen and from there take the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway back to Brig. The timetables of the cable cars and trains can be found under sbb.ch.Getting there
Take the cantonal road 19 to the Betten Valley Station exit. Take the Bettmeralp cable car (Aletsch Bahnen AG) up to Bettmeralp.
At the end of the hike, return by public transport from Bellwald to Fürgangen (cable car) and Fürgangen to Betten valley station with the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (train).
Parking
Large pay car park near the valley station of the Bettmeralp cable car (Aletsch Bahnen AG).Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'649'117E 1'140'098N
DD
46.410441, 8.077420
DMS
46°24'37.6"N 8°04'38.7"E
UTM
32T 429092 5140065
w3w
///wordplay.pony.cosmic
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
The tourist office in Bellwald has got brochures and information material about hiking in the region.
Author’s map recommendations
SwissTopo Maps 1:25'000: 2516 Aletschgebiet
Book recommendations for this region:
Show more
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
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
19.4 km
Duration
6:55 h
Ascent
635 m
Descent
1,726 m
Highest point
2,652 m
Lowest point
1,559 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 6 Waypoints
- 6 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
Would you like to the ask the author a question?
Rating
Help others by being the first to add a review.
Photos from others