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Hiking Trail recommended route

Circular hike from Riederalp to Silbersand, Bischofsitz and back

Hiking Trail · Aletsch Arena · closed
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Aletsch Arena AG Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Aletschwald mit Aletschgletscher
    Aletschwald mit Aletschgletscher
    Photo: Geri Berchtold, Aletsch Arena AG
m 2050 2000 1950 1900 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 km
This beautiful hike lets nature shows off her plentiful charms: age-old stone pines in the protected Aletsch Forest are followed by breathtaking views of the Great Aletsch Glacier.
closed
moderate
Distance 7.1 km
2:30 h
344 m
344 m
2,066 m
1,909 m
Starting at Riederalp West mountain station, head up to Riederfurka. From there, follow the Lower Aletsch Trail eastwards through the protected Aletsch Forest with its stone pines, some of which are over 900 years old. As you then pass ancient moraines down to Silbersand, you get your first views of the striking Great Aletsch Glacier. Continue on to the Bischofssitz or “Bishop’s Seat”, which owes its name to a former bishop who often had himself carried up to this point in a sedan chair. The return route takes you via Lengmoosweg through the ancient pines of the Aletsch Forest and up to Riederfurka. This is where the imposing Villa Cassel, the home of the Pro Natura Centre, is located. The last stage is the descent from Riederfurka to the Riederalp West mountain station.

Author’s recommendation

The exhibition and alpine garden at the Nature Conservation Centre in Villa Cassel on Riederfurka are well worth seeing! Be sure to plan a visit!
Profile picture of Aletsch Arena AG
Author
Aletsch Arena AG
Update: November 14, 2022
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,066 m
Lowest point
1,909 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

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Safety information

Summer sports report

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Aletsch Arena AG accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.  

  • 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. 

Tips and hints

Aletsch Arena AG 
Furkastrasse 39 
CH-3983 Mörel-Filet 
+41 27 928 58 58 
info@aletscharena.ch
www.aletscharena.ch 

Start

Riederalp, top station of the gondola west (1,925 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'645'210E 1'136'257N
DD
46.376165, 8.026239
DMS
46°22'34.2"N 8°01'34.5"E
UTM
32T 425112 5136304
w3w 
///stealing.hedge.regret
Show on Map

Destination

Riederalp, top station of the gondola west

Turn-by-turn directions

Riederalp West – Riederfurka – Unterer Aletschweg – Silbersand – Bischofssitz – Lengmoosweg – Riederfurka – Riederalp West

Note


all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Getting to the Aletsch Arena

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'645'210E 1'136'257N
DD
46.376165, 8.026239
DMS
46°22'34.2"N 8°01'34.5"E
UTM
32T 425112 5136304
w3w 
///stealing.hedge.regret
Show on Map
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Get a free panoramic map at the cable car stations and info centres of the Aletsch Arena.  

Author’s map recommendations

SwissTopo maps 1:25’000: 1269 Aletschgletscher 

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)

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Photos from others


Status
closed
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
7.1 km
Duration
2:30 h
Ascent
344 m
Descent
344 m
Highest point
2,066 m
Lowest point
1,909 m
Circular route Geological highlights Scenic Flora

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