Three snowshoe hikes around Aletsch

Three outings shaped our snowshoeing stay in Aletsch: the forest below Riederfurka, an evening near Oberwald and the crossing from Fiescheralp to Riederalp. We were travelling with friends, staying at Salina Maris in Breiten-Mörel. Here is what we enjoyed out on the trails, from the snow and mountain transport to the breaks we shared.

Welcome at Hotel Salina Maris © Hotel Salina Maris

We stayed in an apartment for 6 people, with 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette. The hotel’s transfers and shuttle services are very well organised, allowing us to reach the various trailheads very quickly. After each day’s walking, we were able to recharge and relax in the hotel’s spa, which has a saltwater pool, a sauna and a steam room. The more active members of the group also made use of the gym.

Relaxation area at Hotel Salina Maris © Cécile Hénard

The generous breakfasts pleased everyone in our group. The buffet offered local sweet and savoury foods, giving us plenty of energy to start a day of hiking.

Breakfast at Hotel Salina Maris © Hotel Salina Maris

We had a wonderful stay, combining wellness with exploring the beautiful country of Switzerland on snowshoes!

Snowshoe hike in the Aletsch Forest

For our first day, Markus took us on the famous Aletsch Forest snowshoe hike.

After a short bus transfer, we took the Riederalp cable car, climbing from 760m to 1925m in altitude in just a few minutes. The green landscapes of the valley soon gave way to snowy slopes. It was time to wrap up against the cold and put on our snowshoes.

Our first climb took us among the Valais chalets and alongside the downhill ski runs up to Riederfurka. A beautiful, picture-postcard view awaited us there.

Arrival at Riederfurka

Markus told us the story of Villa Cassel, built between 1900 and 1902. Since 1976, it has housed the Aletsch Pro Natura Centre, dedicated to education about the Alpine environment.

Passing Villa Cassel © Adrien Ozanon

We then followed the ridge trail to Hohfluh. Along the way, we made several short stops to explore the themed, interactive stations on the discovery trail. On reaching the highest point of the hike, we were rewarded with a magnificent view of the majestic Aletsch Glacier.

View of the Aletsch Glacier

After stopping for photos, we left the marked snowshoe trail and headed down through the powder snow to the forest. We left the bustle of the resort behind for peaceful surroundings and a more natural setting. Markus chose this moment for a little energy-boosting break with cereal and chocolate bars. We then continued our walk among the trees and various mosses. We were lucky enough to spot plenty of animal tracks in the snow.

Descent into the Aletsch Forest

Chocolate bar break

We eventually find Villa Cassel again, this time from a different viewpoint, and make our way leisurely back down towards the cable car. The descent gives us much more opportunity to admire the scenery and the traditional village of Riederalp.

View of Riederalp

Snowshoeing and dinner at the Rhone Quelle restaurant

As we hadn’t had our fill of snowshoeing for the day, we went on a second snowshoe hike in the evening.

Getting going after a session in the hotel’s spa wasn’t easy, but with a good meal at the mountain restaurant Source du Rhône (Rhone Quelle) as our goal, we soon found our rhythm again behind Markus, our guide.

We started the hike in the heart of the small village of Oberwald, at the end of the Goms valley, where the young Rhône winds its way through the landscape.

The Rhône shortly after its source

When the Furka Pass road is closed, drivers can load their cars onto the train between Oberwald and Realp. The shuttle travels through the Furka Base Tunnel in around twenty minutes; its timetable varies depending on the day and season.

A train “shuttle” to take your car through the mountains

The first part of the hike is on flat ground. It’s a good warm-up before the steady climb up the winding trail.

After an hour of walking through the coniferous forest of spruce and larch, we took a short break at St Niklaus Chapel, a place of pilgrimage. We stopped for a drink, then off we went again!

St Niklaus Chapel

Just before nightfall, we arrived at the lovely restaurant. Then came the day’s toughest question: what to choose from the menu, especially as it was in Swiss German and the waiter spoke Italian?!

Some enjoyed the Valais speciality, croûte au fromage: a slice of bread topped with a generous layer of cheese mixed with milk, butter, flour and a little white wine, all melted in the oven. Others tucked into a fondue or osso buco, the house speciality.

Outside the Rhone Quelle restaurant

After dinner, we could choose our vehicle for the descent: a two-person sledge or a ‘ski bike’. After a few bends, we had more or less worked out how to steer the sledge. Those at the front were even lucky enough to see a mountain hare, whose coat turns white in winter, crossing the trail. The conditions that evening were perfect, and in 20 minutes we were back at the car park. We then picked up the car and returned to the hotel. That night, we had no trouble falling asleep!

Ready to sledge back down after a good meal!

Hiking from Fiescheralp to Riederalp

The next day, our group splits up: some prefer to enjoy a full day of skiing, while others set off on snowshoes to explore the resort’s snow-covered alpine pastures.

With the starting point in Fiescheralp, we begin with a train journey of around 20 minutes from Mörel to Fiesch, where we take the cable car up to the trail. Then we head west on snowshoes through a white landscape, beneath glorious sunshine and a beautiful blue sky. The conditions are perfect!

Fiescheralp © Oriane Tempé

We soon leave the bustle of the ski resort behind and find ourselves in the peace and quiet of the snow-covered alpine pastures. The trail is quiet, clearly marked and groomed. There are a few uphill and downhill stretches, but overall, the route heads downhill.

Trails and scenery between Fiescheralp and Bettmeralp

When we reach Bettmeralp, we decide to take the gondola up to the summit of Bettmerhorn. At the top, we meet up with the rest of the group, delighted after a good morning of skiing. We have lunch together on the terrace of the mountain restaurant, enjoying a spectacular view of the glacier.

Lunch at the Bettmerhorn mountain restaurant © Oriane Tempé

We take the gondola back down to Bettmeralp. From there, the rest of the walk is all downhill towards Riederalp, whose snow-covered rooftops we can see in the distance.

Heading back down to Riederalp © Oriane Tempé

As it happens, we cover the last few kilometres of the walk… by snowmobile. Along the way, we come across a man on his own who has sprained his ankle (nothing too serious). After a call to the ski patrol and a few minutes' wait, a rescuer arrives and offers us a ride back on his snowmobile, as daylight is fading fast. Knowing that the man is in good hands and receiving treatment at the first-aid station, we take the gondola back down to Mörel. After this lovely, invigorating day, we round things off with a dip in the hotel pool and a sauna… pure relaxation!

Extend your Aletsch experience

If you would like to discover even more, you can find the full itinerary for this 6-day snowshoeing trip in Aletsch, which you can enjoy self-guided or with a guide. And if you prefer green landscapes to snowy peaks and hiking boots to snowshoes, we also offer a summer hiking version of this trip, with equally magnificent views of the Aletsch Glacier!