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AletschThe special of the glacier region with the longest glacier in Switzerland is, that access is easy and the ice stream can be admired from above. The area is included in the World Heritage List of the United Nations.
It offers opportunities for
hiking and Winter-skiing.
Hikes from Bettmeralp:Here some interesting hikes from Bettmeralp, since that's my favorite. The routes can easily be adapted to your wishes, since there are many tracks to choose from. Cable cars and chair lifts are the easy way to or from the top.
Bettmeralp-Blausee-Riederfurka
You may cut the hike by using the shuttle to Riederalp
and return on the track as mentioned here. First we walk along the Bettmersee. The track to Blausee is
clearly marked. It crosses the alp meadow. Some time later the climb
will get a bit steeper.
After Blausee there is some more climbing, but after a few minutes we're on the verge of the mountain range with a undisturbed view into the glacier area. There are different trails to Riederfurka. One runs along the rim and the fence of the protected area, then there is an upper and a lower track and one on the very bottom of the forested area. Choosing the lower track (unterer Weg) we enjoy walking in the unique forest of old pines (Arve), the larger ones are hundreds of years old. There are dense shrubs of Alp roses and berries. At Riederfurka with Hotel, Restaurant and Kiosk we' re amazed by the old "villa Cassel", a peculiar building. It is used for Seminars, meetings etc. Don't miss the exhibition in the house and spend some time in the very informative "Alpengarten" right at the villa. If rooms are available you might be able to spend the night in one of the old, romantic rooms of villa Cassel. Back to Bettmeralp we're using the "Oberer Weg", we'll have many fantastic views toward the upper section of the glacier. A good option for proceeding to Bettmeralp is by way of Biel. From there we're descending behind Bettmersee. Bettmeralp-Kuehboden-Maerjelen
To shorten this hike you may use the chairlift Bettmeralp-Schoenboden and/or the cable car Kuehboden-Eggishorn with descent from Eggishorn to Taelligrat. For the first part of this hike we're using the track from Bettmeralp up to Furrihuette. From there it's a good gravel road to Kuehboden with hotels, Restaurants and the middle station of the Fiesch-Eggishorn cable car. From Kuehboden we're proceeding on the comfortable road towards Maerjelen. After about one km we arrive at the site where some time ago the "old Hotel Jungfrau" has been. Some foundation is all that's been left after a fire. About 20 m before, we recognize the marking on a rock, pointing up to Eggishorn. The foot track will get a bit steep, but it's well worth the trouble. If you want it easier, you may proceed on the gravel road. Later there will be a tunnel of about 1 km which will lead to the artificial lake and the Gletscherstube (little Restaurant). From Taelligrat we enjoy a fantastic view: the Aletsch glacier, Jungfrau region, Strahlhorn
and Fiescher glacier just across.
From this excellent viewpoint we descend to Gletscherstube. There is a marker pointing straight down to little Maerjelensee. Although the track is not marked, you won't miss the lake. Maerjelen is where Aletschgletscher makes a bend and polished
rocks from times gone by and the icy flanks of the glacier can be
seen. Don't walk on the glacier without a licensed guide
(Bergfuehrer).
After a break we proceed above the glacier on a small but
excellent track. At Roti Chumme we turn left and ascend
towards Bettmerhorn. At first the pace is comfortable, but later we
have to climb some stairs and it's a steep climb. At the top, on
Bettmerhorn we'll be rewarded with a remarkable view.
After a well earned drink we board the cable car for Bettmeralp. On the lower part before entering Bettmeralp, still in the steep slopes with rocks and lush alpine grass we'll probably recognize Marmots. They ignore the cable car cabins above. Fiescheralp-BettmerhornStart for the above mentioned route is Fiescheralp. Access is by cable
car from Fiesch. The station is some 5 Minutes down from MGB train
station.
Bettmeralp-lower Aletsch trail
This is a shorter, but quite interesting tour. We follow
the markings for Biel. In the morning, when it's quiet yet, Marmots
can be seen feeding around the rocks and on the alp pastures.
Reaching the top we proceed to Aletschwald.
Entering the reserve we head for Kalkofen, which will get us to the lower ones of the many tracks. We will find a reconstructed site where the predecessor of today's cement was won. The base material, limestone and wood for the fire was gathered in the area. The lowest track is also the youngest part of the flora and the larch trees in the stony environment are a different picture from the old arolla pines above. We proceed on the lowest track until we reach the turnoff for the track across the glacier to Belalp. (Don't enter the glacier without licensed guide). At the turnoff we proceed to the Oberer Weg. According to taste we may add to the route or return by one of the exits either by Blausee or on the same track we came from. Option: From Moosfluh is a cable car, from Hohfluh a chair lift available. From Riederalp it's a 30 Minutes walk to Bettmeralp (also a shuttle service is available).
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