recommended route
Alpine hike: UNESCO high-altitude trail from Bettmerhorn to Eggishorn
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BettmerhornPhoto: Aletsch Arena AG
The ridge trail promises genuine challenges and fantastic views of the Aletsch Glacier and the Valais mountain scenery. Sure-footed hikers with a head for heights will love it!
closed
moderate
Distance 3 km
3:00 h
373 m
149 m
2,871 m
2,648 m
The hike starts at the Bettmeralp cable-car mountain station. It takes about half an hour to reach the summit of the Bettmerhorn (2,647m) via a fixed rope route. From there you follow the partly exposed but well-secured ridge trail for about 1.5km, until you reach the steep descent down to Elselicka. Cable handrails are provided for your safety. The path along the ridge is designated an Alpine Route, meaning that it is suitable only for sure-footed hikers with no fear of heights! Keep to the white/blue marked path on this section! From Elselicka, the route follows a well-maintained hiking trail up to the mountain station of the Eggishorn cable car (2,869m), the end of the UNESCO high-altitude trail.
Author’s recommendation
Get yourself the Aletsch Explorer! The combined cableway and train ticket gives you unlimited travel in the Aletsch Arena!
Author
Aletsch Arena AG
Update: January 14, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,871 m
Lowest point
2,648 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Asphalt
0 km
Dirt road
0.3 km
Forested/wild trail
1.3 km
Path
1.2 km
Via ferrata
0.3 km
Rest stops
Panorama-Restaurant BettmerhornHorli-Hitta
Safety 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.
- 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.
- Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
Tips and hints
Aletsch Arena AGFurkastrasse 39
CH-3983 Mörel-Filet
+41 27 928 58 58
info@aletscharena.ch
www.aletscharena.ch
Start
Bettmerhorn, top station of aerial cable car (2,647 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'649'063E 1'140'115N
DD
46.410598, 8.076719
DMS
46°24'38.2"N 8°04'36.2"E
UTM
32T 429038 5140083
w3w
///flats.intervene.downs
Destination
Eggishorn, top station of aerial cable
Turn-by-turn directions
Bettmerhorn, top station of aerial cable car – summit Bettmerhorn – Elselicka - Eggishorn, top station of aerial cable
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
By train from Brig or Oberwald to Betten valley station. Take the Bettmeralp cable car (Aletsch Bahnen AG) up to Bettmeralp.Getting there
Take Kantonsstrasse 19 to the Betten Valley Station exit. Take the Bettmeralp cable car (Aletsch Bahnen AG) up to Bettmeralp.Parking
Large pay car park near the valley station of the Bettmeralp cable car (Aletsch Bahnen AG).Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'649'063E 1'140'115N
DD
46.410598, 8.076719
DMS
46°24'38.2"N 8°04'36.2"E
UTM
32T 429038 5140083
w3w
///flats.intervene.downs
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
3 km
Duration
3:00 h
Ascent
373 m
Descent
149 m
Highest point
2,871 m
Lowest point
2,648 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 7 Waypoints
- 7 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others