Aletsch Arena

July to September is the best time for hiking. Snow can stay on high paths until June. December to April is the ski season. Spring and November are quiet, and some lifts and hotels close. The views depend on weather, and clouds can hide the glacier.

• Eggishorn is a mountain viewpoint above Fiesch, reached by cable car, with views of the glacier.
• Moosfluh is a viewpoint on the edge of the glacier, reached from Riederalp.
• Alpengarten Pro Natura Zentrum Aletsch is an alpine garden and nature centre in a historic villa.
• Erlebniswelt Aletsch is a visitor centre about the glacier and the area.
• Blausee, Tällisee and small mountain lakes are good for walks.

• Walk to the glacier viewpoints.
• Hike to a mountain lake and swim in summer.
• Ski in winter on the pistes above the glacier.
• Walk with a mountain guide on the ice. Guides can be booked in the villages.
• Visit the alpine garden and nature centre.

• Aletsch Glacier is the glacier itself. Hikes lead to viewpoints and along the ice.
• Brig-Glis is the nearest larger town in the valley.
• Visp is a small town on the way to Zermatt and Saas-Fee.

• Aletsch Glacier is the main sight of the area.
• Brig-Glis and Visp are the nearest towns in the Rhone valley.

• By train: go to Mörel for Riederalp, Betten for Bettmeralp or Fiesch for the Eggishorn. Trains run from Brig. Check times on SBB.
• Brig is about 2.5 hours from Zurich and about 3 hours from Geneva.
• From the valley stations, cable cars go up to the villages.

• Riederalp and Bettmeralp are car-free and small.
• Cable cars link the villages and the viewpoints.
• Marked hiking paths link the lakes, huts and viewpoints.
• In winter, ski lifts connect the villages.

• Riederalp and Bettmeralp have no cars.
• Park at the valley cable car stations in Mörel or Betten.
• Winter roads in the Valais can need chains.

Try raclette, rösti and cheese fondue in the mountain restaurants. The Valais is known for dried meat and rye bread. Local wines are served in many places.

People speak German with a Valais dialect. English is widely understood.

• The area is very safe.
• Mountain weather changes fast. Check the forecast.
• Do not walk onto the glacier without a guide. It has crevasses.
• The viewpoints are at altitude. Take warm clothes and sun protection.

The Aletsch Glacier has shaped the valley for thousands of years. The ice has been shrinking since the 19th century. The glacier area became a UNESCO site in 2001.

The villages grew as summer pastures and later as tourist resorts. Cable cars from the valley opened the area to visitors in the 20th century.

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