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Circular hike from Riederalp to Silbersand, Bischofsitz and back

Hiking Trail · Aletsch Arena· Open

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Aletsch Arena AG

/ Aletschwald mit Aletschgletscher
Photo: Geri Berchtold, Aletsch Arena AG
/ Der grosse Aletschgletscher
Photo: Geri Berchtold, Aletsch Arena AG
/ Alpenrosen
Photo: Geri Berchtold, Aletsch Arena AG
/ Aletschwald
Photo: Geri Berchtold, Aletsch Arena AG
/ Aletschwald mit Aletschgletscher
Photo: Geri Berchtold, Aletsch Arena AG
/ Pro Natura Zentrum Aletsch
Photo: Geri Berchtold, Aletsch Arena AG

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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.

Open

moderate

Distance 7.1 km

2:30 h

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!

Author

Aletsch Arena AG

Update: June 02, 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

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

46.376165, 8.026239

DMS

46°22'34.2"N 8°01'34.5"E

UTM

32T 425112 5136304

w3w

///stealing.hedge.regret

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

46.376165, 8.026239

DMS

46°22'34.2"N 8°01'34.5"E

UTM

32T 425112 5136304

w3w

///stealing.hedge.regret

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:

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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Status

Open

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

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