Lötschberg & Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail
Hike the historic Lötschberg Südrampe and see stunning viaducts like the Bietschtal Bridge
Witness Europe’s largest glacier, Aletsch, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site up close
Enjoy delicious Swiss cuisine and Valais wine after each day of hiking
Hike along the panoramic trail with incredible views of the glacier and the highest Swiss peaks
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
Arrive in the heart of Valais and settle into your comfortable accommodation in Gampel-Steg. Take some time to relax and rest up for the next day’s adventure.
Start hiking on the historic trail along the southern ramp of the Lötschberg railway, one of the most significant in the Alps. Hike on the sunny side of the Rhone Valley, pass by the impressive Bietschtal Bridge, and enjoy stunning views of both Alpine and southern vegetation. The day concludes in the charming hillside village of Ausserberg.
12 km; 800 m of elevation gain and 420 m of elevation loss
After a hearty breakfast, continue your hike on the Lötschberg South Ramp. Pass by the historic “suonen” waterways and cross bridges while hiking toward Naters. From there, take a bus to Blatten and a cable car to Belalp. If you have extra time, visit the Museum of the Swiss Guard in Naters.
16 km; 470 m of elevation gain and 800 m of elevation loss
On day four, you will catch your first glimpse of the stunning Aletsch Glacier as you hike past the Aletschbord viewpoint towards the glacier gate. Cross a hanging bridge before trekking through the forest towards Riederalp, where you will spend the night.
11 km; 700 m of elevation gain and 850 m of elevation loss
The most epic day starts with a cable car ride to Moosfluh, where you’ll begin your hike on the panoramic ridge trail. The trail offers stunning views of the Aletsch Glacier and some of Switzerland’s highest peaks. You’ll descend towards Märjelensee Lake, where you can try their delicious apple tart. After a break, you’ll hike through the illuminated Tälligrat tunnel back towards the valley and your accommodation in Fiescheralp.
12 km; 590 m of elevation gain and 710 m of elevation loss
On the last day, you’ll circle back to Eggishorn and hike towards the valley with stunning views of Fischer Glacier. The trail then takes you to Burg Hut and an exciting 160-meter-long hanging footbridge. Finally, you’ll reach Bellwald, where you’ll spend your last day in the mountains.
14 km; 560 m of elevation gain and 1220 m of elevation loss
On the final day, you will take a short hike down to Fiesch, passing by St. Anna Chapel. From there, you can take a train to your next adventure in Switzerland or one of the major airports. Traveling by train provides an opportunity to reflect on the amazing hike you just experienced.
4 km; 20 m of elevation gain and 510 m of elevation loss
Pricing
Included in price
6 x accommodation with breakfast
Tour design and organization
Booklet with detailed itinerary and route instructions
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Service and support during your hike
What to bring to the tour
An In-Depth Exploration of All Things Hut to Hut Hiking Switzerland
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Description
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the heart of Valais and witness the magnificence of Europe’s largest glacier.
The hike’s first half is along the historic Lötschberg Südrampe trail. As you traverse the sunny side of the Rhone Valley, marvel at the stunning viaducts like the Bietschtal Bridge and the diverse Alpine and southern vegetation, making this hike a truly unforgettable experience.
But the highlight of the trip awaits you on the Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail. This trail takes you along a panoramic ridge, offering breathtaking views of the grand river of ice, the Aletsch Glacier, and some of the highest peaks in Switzerland. Immerse yourself in the magnificent beauty of the Alps and experience the UNESCO World Heritage site up close on this perfect trail.
Indulge in a comfortable and luxurious stay at hotels that serve authentic Swiss cuisine and delicious Valais wine. Unwind and rejuvenate after a day of hiking, preparing yourself for the next day’s adventures.
Our team takes care of all the necessary details, so you can fully enjoy your adventure. We will book your accommodations and provide you with a detailed itinerary booklet, GPS routes, and 24/7 support to ensure your hike is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Our ultimate goal is to make sure you have the best possible experience on this unforgettable journey.
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.
