recommended route
Hike from Belalp to Riederalp via the suspension bridge
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Hotel Belalp, AletschbordPhoto: Pascal Gertschen, Belalp Bahnen AG
The adrenaline buzz on the suspension bridge, the imposing view of the glacier gate and ancient Swiss stone pines in Aletsch Forest make this hike a truly impressive experience.
closed
moderate
Distance 11.4 km
5:00 h
604 m
782 m
2,133 m
1,560 m
From Hotel Belalp you hike down the Steigle to Aletschji, from where you cross the Leng Acker to the old glacier ascent and to the Belalp-Riederalp suspension bridge. At 124m long and 80m high, the suspension bridge is the highlight of the tour! Spanning the Massa Gorge, it gives you a stunning view of the snout of the Great Aletsch Glacier. After crossing the bridge, you have a choice of two routes for the ascent to Riederfurka: one takes you through the shady Teiffewald forest, the other via Silbersand and a place known as Death Valley since it can get very hot there in strong sunshine. From Silbersand the path rises slightly through Aletsch Forest to Riederfurka. The descent to Riederalp is the last stage of this impressive hike.
Author’s recommendation
The Round Trip Ticket offered by Aletsch Bahnen AG lets you use all public transport and cable cars on this hike
Author
Aletsch Arena AG
Update: December 14, 2022
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,133 m
Lowest point
1,560 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Forested/wild trail
2.7 km
Path
7.8 km
Road
0.9 km
Rest stops
Hotel BelalpSafety information
Summer sports reportUse 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 AGFurkastrasse 39
CH-3983 Mörel-Filet
+41 27 928 58 58
info@aletscharena.ch
www.aletscharena.ch
Blatten-Belalp Tourismus
Rischinustrasse 5
CH-3914 Blatten b. Naters
+41 27 921 60 40
tourismus@belalp.ch
www.belalp.ch
Start
Belalp, top station of aerial cable car (2,094 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'641'248E 1'135'757N
DD
46.371923, 7.974707
DMS
46°22'18.9"N 7°58'28.9"E
UTM
32T 421142 5135882
w3w
///directly.clapper.headache
Destination
Riederalp, top station of aerial cable car Mitte
Turn-by-turn directions
Belalp - Hotel Belalp - Aletschji - Bridge - Riederfurka - Riederalp
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
From Brig train station until Blatten b. Naters with the bus line 624 (travel time: 15 -20 Min.)Getting there
Take Cantonal Road 19 to the Brig exit, then follow Blattenstrasse from Naters to the valley station of the Blatten-Belalp cable car in Blatten bei Naters.Parking
Large pay car park at the valley station of the Blatten-Belalp cable car.Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'641'248E 1'135'757N
DD
46.371923, 7.974707
DMS
46°22'18.9"N 7°58'28.9"E
UTM
32T 421142 5135882
w3w
///directly.clapper.headache
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)
Status
closed
Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
11.4 km
Duration
5:00 h
Ascent
604 m
Descent
782 m
Highest point
2,133 m
Lowest point
1,560 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 4 Waypoints
- 4 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others