Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail
Discover the longest glacier in the Alps up close
Explore the car-free mountain villages like Riederalp and Fiescheralp
Cross the legendary Aletsch Forest with historic trees over 900 years old
Relax after a day of hiking with delicious Swiss cuisine and Valais wine
Hike along the panoramic trail with an incredible view of the glacier and the highest Swiss peaks
Enjoy the sunrise views over 4,000 m peaks from your hotel balcony
A trail with stunning views all the time
Staying at idyllic villages like Ausserberg
Aletsch Glacier is the largest in Europe
The first part is along the Lotschberg railway
Awesome views over the Rhone Valley
Hiking the Aletsch Glacier panorama trail
Crossing epic hanging bridges
Enjoying the views of the highest peaks in the Alps
Getting back to the beautiful nature of this mountainous country
Exploring traditional Swiss mountain villages
Itinerary
Your adventure begins in the town of Naters, from where you take a cable car up to Blatten and begin your hike to Riederalp. The trail winds through forests and across open meadows with the first glance of the Aletsch Glacier as you hike past the Aletcschborg viewpoint towards its glacier gate. Spend the night in the peaceful car-free village of Riederalp, perched above the Rhône Valley.
11 km; 700 m of elevation gain and 850 m of elevation loss
This is one of the most epic days on the trail — it starts with a cable car ride towards Moosfluh from where you start your hike on the panoramic ridge trail. Epic views will accompany you on both sides — the biggest glacier in Europe on one, and some of the highest Swiss 4000ers on the other. You’ll get closer and closer to the glacier itself and descend toward Märjelensee lake, where you can try their delicious apple tart.
After the well-deserved break, a hike through the illuminated Tälligrat tunnel takes you back towards the green valley to your accommodation in Fiescheralp.
12 km; 590 m of elevation gain and 710 m of elevation loss
The last full day of hiking will take you back around the Eggishorn towards the lake you visited the day before, but then turn right towards the valley. You’ll have great views of the Fischer Glacier while descending down to Burg Hut. Soon after, the trail crosses an epic 160-meter-long hanging footbridge, suspended high above a glacial gorge. The path continues through peaceful pastures and shady forest trails as you gradually approach Bellwald, a tranquil mountain village known for its wooden chalets, sunshine, and sweeping views of the Rhône Valley.
14 km; 560 m of elevation gain and 1220 m of elevation loss
After breakfast, enjoy a short walk down to Fürgangen, followed by a scenic cable car ride across the valley to Fiesch. From here, trains connect you easily to Brig or your next destination. If time allows, explore the charming town or take in a final glacier view from the Eggishorn cable car—before bidding farewell to this unforgettable corner of the Alps.
4 km; 20 m of elevation gain and 510 m of elevation loss
Pricing
Included in price
3 nights in a 3/4* hotel with breakfast or B&B
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your hike
What to bring to the tour
An In-Depth Exploration of All Things Hut to Hut Hiking Switzerland
Enter your mail below and get your free E-Book!
Description
Looking for a high-alpine adventure that’s breathtaking but accessible?
The Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail is perfect for active hikers who want big mountain views without technical climbing. If you love panoramic trails, remote villages, and hiking at your own pace—this 3-day glacier trek is for you.
Here, you don’t just see the Alps—you walk beside their beating heart. The Aletsch Glacier, at 23 kilometers, is the largest glacier in the Alps. Towering ice, ancient forests, and the silence of altitude combine into something truly extraordinary. This is a chance to witness a vanishing wonder—before it’s gone.
Each day places you on a natural balcony, high above the world, with the glacier to one side and 4,000-meter peaks to the other.
The trail leads you through the Aletsch Forest, home to some of the oldest trees in Switzerland—gnarled, wind-sculpted Swiss stone pines that have stood for over 900 years. Surrounded by silence, glacier views, and the scent of alpine pine, the atmosphere is nothing short of magica
Add in panoramic ridge walks, shimmering glacial lakes, the surreal glow of the Tälligrat tunnel, and the thrill of crossing a 160-meter suspension bridge—and you have a journey that’s rich in drama and beauty from start to finish.ht.
We take care of all the details so you can focus on enjoying your adventure. We book the accommodations and provide a detailed itinerary booklet, GPS routes, and 24/7 support. Our goal is to make your hike as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
This is more than a hike—it’s a rare chance to walk beside a frozen giant, through a landscape shaped by time.
Map
Things to know
The summer season for hiking is usually from mid-June to mid-October. Its start depends on the amount of snow left on the high mountain passes from the winter. The Walker’s Haute Route and Via Alpina have some high passes, which are usually free of snow only in July. Hiking before that could be dangerous without proper skill and equipment. In October, there is usually the first bigger snowfall, and the huts close to prepare for the winter ski season.
Read more about the hiking season in the Swiss Alps here.
We’ve rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.
The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.
Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.
It is best to book your tour early because most accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.
Even though the routes are usually quite close to at least a farm or a small village, they also feature lots of wild and remote sections where you cannot just stop. In case of injury, it’s best to call the local emergency services.
On the other hand, if you just feel that you cannot hike anymore, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to a bigger Swiss city.
Showers in Swiss mountain huts are rare and are only offered for an extra charge. That’s why it’s wise to bring wet wipes with you for the days that you are staying in one of them.
No, because the huts provide their own blankets and pillows. Still, you should bring a sleeping liner instead.
Cell connection is very changeable in the mountains. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see a town, you’ll have a reception. Mountain huts are the same — the signal usually doesn’t reach the insides, so try catching it outside. Wifi is available only in some huts, while most don’t have it.
If you dress accordingly, most stages can be done in light rain. However, do not hike if a storm is forecasted. In that case, you can take public transport to the next point when possible to make up for the lost time.
Vegetarian meals are usually available in most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to be found in huts, but we’re happy to let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.
Self-guided
Hassle-Free
Book with confidence
Tried & Tested Adventures
Unbeatable support
Similar Switzerland Hiking Tours
An In-Depth Exploration of All Things Hut to Hut Hiking Switzerland
Enter your mail below and get your free E-Book!
