From Riederalp over the suspension bridge to Belalp

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11.56 km long

Difficulty: medium

Condition: medium

Great panorama

Hike

Hängebrücke Belalp - Riederalp — © Blatten-Belalp Tourismus, Blatten-Belalp Tourismus

Blick auf den Grossen Aletschgletscher — © Blatten-Belalp Tourismus, Blatten-Belalp Tourismus

Abstieg über Steigle — © Blatten-Belalp Tourismus, Blatten-Belalp Tourismus

4:30 h
11.56 km
742 m
547 m
1,558 m
2,133 m
575 m
Start: Belalp (2095 m)
Destination: Riederalp

The 124-meter-long hanging bridge is a highlight in the Aletsch hiking paradise. The suspension bridge is not merely a convenient connection between Belalp and Riederalp, it crosses the gorge a dizzying 80 meters above the water right in front of the Aletsch glacier’s snout. A truly thrilling and memorable experience.

Once upon a time, one crossed the Aletsch glacier to get from Belalp to Riederalp. However, the glacier’s retreat has rendered this impossible. The suspension bridge that was built in 2008 in cooperation with Pro Natura, the WWF and UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch reestablishes this link.

Blatten-Belalp Tourismus

Directions

The journey starts with the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn from Brig to Mörel. Here you change to the feeder train and travel up to Riederalp. The hike takes you up to Riederfurka. There you will see the historic Villa Cassel, which today houses the Pro Natura Center Aletsch. You hike down to the right in the direction of "Teiffe Wald" or "Silbersand" and on to "Grünsee". Along the way, you will cross the Aletschwald nature reserve (please observe the rules) with its ancient larches and Swiss stone pines. At "Grünsee" you will reach a vantage point from which you can see directly down to the suspension bridge. The path continues over rock slabs to the suspension bridge, which hovers 80 meters above the wild Massa. After about half an hour you reach the viewpoint "Glacier Gate". From here you have a fascinating view of the Great Aletsch Glacier, the Glacier Gate and into the Aletschji. Via "Leng Acher" you reach the Maiensäss "Aletschji", where the ascent to the Aletschbord begins. On the Aletschbord you will once again enjoy the fantastic view of the Great Aletsch Glacier. With renewed vigor you take the last 25 minutes hike over the Belalp to the top station of the Belalp cable cars and ride the cable car down to Blatten.

Riederalp - Riederfurka - Kalkofen - Grünsee - suspension bridge - Aletschji - Aletschbord - Belalp

Or: Belalp - Aletschbord - Aletschji- suspension bridge - Grünsee - Kalkofen - Riederfurka - Riederalp

Safety guidelines

Despite the " impossible to miss " markings of the hiking trails, we recommend for safety reasons to always have an appropriate hiking map with you, so that you can quickly find your way to a safe area in case of a thunderstorm or an emergency, for example.

Especially in autumn, you should also be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide bumps, roots, stones or holes in the path. After storms, trees can still fall over or branches can fall down. Especially after bad weather conditions, muddy and slippery passages can occur on natural paths. You have to expect this kind of path impairment when you go on a hike.

Not all rocks or precipices are secured with ropes or railings. In some cases surefootedness is required. If you are of the opinion that certain sections of the trail are not passable for you, you should avoid them.

Tour information

Stop at an Inn

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Pavements

Street

Asphalt

Trail

Path

Equipment

Sturdy shoes, clothing suitable for the weather, sun and rain protection, as well as sufficient supplies of food and drinks, should there be no refreshment stops or shopping facilities available or open. Although the trail is very well marked throughout, you should always have a suitable hiking map with you for safety reasons. Take sticks or other aids with you.

Directions & Parking facilities

Arrival by car

From western Switzerland: A9 Lausanne - Vevey, or north-western Switzerland: A12 Bern - Vevey: A9 - Sierre: main road Sierre - Brig

From north-western Switzerland: A6 Berne - Thun - Spiez: main road Spiez - Kandersteg (Lötschberg tunnel car transport) - Goppenstein - Gampel - Brig

From eastern and central Switzerland: Andermatt - Realp (year-round Furka car transport; in summer via Furka Pass) - Oberwald - Brig

From Ticino (in summer): Airolo - Nufenenpass - Ulrichen - Brig

Or via Centovalli - Domodossola - Simplonpass - Brig

From Italy (Aosta, Mt. Blanc Tunnel): Aosta - Grand Saint Bernard tunnel (over the pass in summer) - Martigny: A9 motorway - Sierre: Sierre - Brig main road.

Or via Domodossola - Simplon Pass - Brig

Blatten bei Naters

From Brig you can reach Blatten bei Naters via Naters, then take the cable car to the car-free Belalp.

Paid parking is available in the Chienzlichrommu and in the underground car park in Blatten bei Naters.

There are also various parking facilities available in Mörel.

Start at Belalp:

Travel from Brig by post bus to Blatten bei Naters. From there, take the cable car to Belalp and then start your tour in the direction of Belalp Aletschbord.

Start at Riederalp:

Take the train towards Fiesch and get off in Mörel. From there take the cable car or gondola to Riederalp. Here you then have the option of walking everything or taking the Moosfluh/Hohfluh cable car up and starting from there.

Additional information

If you have any questions, please contact:

Belalp Bahnen AG

www.belalp.ch

bahnen@belalp.ch

+41 27 921 65 10

Blatten - Belalp Tourismus AG

tourismus@belalp.ch

+41 27 921 60 40

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Take a break on the terrace at the Hotel Belalp and enjoy the panorama.

Visit the Villa Cassel on Riederalp.