Hike from Belalp over the suspension bridge to Riederalp via Silbersand and Bischofsitz

Tip

12.49 km long

Difficulty: difficult

Condition: difficult

Great panorama

Hike

4:30 h
12.49 km
582 m
767 m
1,560 m
2,133 m
573 m
Start: Belalp, mountain station cable car
Destination: Riederalp, mountain station cable car Mitte

From Hotel Belalp, you hike down the Steigle into the Aletschji. Then you continue over the Leng Acker to the historic glacier ascent and to the spectacular Belalp–Riederalp suspension bridge. The 124-meter long and 80-meter high bridge is the highlight of the route! Crossing the Massa Gorge opens an impressive view of the glacier gate of the Great Aletsch Glacier.

After crossing, you ascend via Silbersand into the so-called "Valley of Death." From here the path leads past the Bischofsitz and gently ascending through the mystical Aletsch forest to the Riederfurka. The last section of this impressive hike is the descent to Riederalp.

Directions

Belalp - Hotel Belalp - Aletschji - Suspension Bridge - Silbersand - Bischofsitz - Riederfurka - Riederalp

Safety guidelines

Use of the hiking trails is at your own risk. Local conditions may necessitate changes to the route. Aletsch Arena AG assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this website.
Carry a map with you. Download the complete trail description along with a large-scale map by clicking “Print” in the top right corner of the page.
Use only marked hiking trails and follow all signs and instructions.
Close gates behind you after passing through.
Be considerate of other trail users, plants, and animals.

Tour information

Stop at an Inn

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Pavements

Street

Asphalt

Trail

Path

Equipment

We recommend:

Good footwear
Weather-dependent clothing
waterproof vest
Headgear
Sun protection
Water bottle
Picnic
Camera
Binoculars
Hiking poles
Printout of the hike route

Directions & Parking facilities

Follow cantonal road 19 to the Brig exit, then from Naters follow Blattenstrasse to the valley station of the Blatten-Belalp cable car in Blatten b. Naters.

Large paid parking lot at the valley station of the Blatten-Belalp cable car

From Brig station, take bus line 624 to the Blatten b. Naters stop (travel time: 15 – 20 min).

Additional information

Aletsch Arena AG
Furkastrasse 39
CH-3983 Mörel-Filet
+41 27 928 58 58
info@aletscharena.ch
www.aletscharena.ch

Blatten-Belalp Tourism AG
Rischinustrasse
CH-53914 Blatten b. Naters
+41 27 921 60 40
tourismus@belalp.ch
www.belalp.ch

Literature

At the mountain railways and info centers of the Aletsch Arena, you will receive a free panorama map. 

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

The round-trip ticket from Aletsch Bahnen AG allows you to use all public transport and mountain railways on this hike

Map

SwissTopo maps: 1:25,000: 1269 Aletsch Glacier