Aletsch Panoramaweg, Stage 1/3

Best views of glacier snout and lower part of Aletsch Glacier from Aletschbor. Over a hanging bridge to Aletschwald (forest) with 100-year-old Swiss stone pines. Villa Cassel looms like an eagle's nest on the Riederfurka ridge, surrounded by the magnificent Valais mountains.

From the Belalp stop, the trail leads through the settlement and uphill across open meadows. After just under two kilometres, the route reaches its highest point at around 2,140 m. At Aletschbord, the view opens up before the yellow-waymarked hiking trail becomes a mountain trail, marked predominantly in white-red-white.

The route now descends for an extended stretch across pastures and through increasingly rocky terrain. The Aletschji chapel stands close to the trail. The mountain trail then continues to lose elevation, reaching the lowest section of the hike after a little over six kilometres. Shortly afterwards, there is a simple picnic area without tables or benches amid rocky terrain.

The ascent begins in the Aletschwald. Among the trees, the mountain trail gains elevation again and continues towards Riederfurka. After around 10 kilometres and just under four hours, the hike ends away from a direct public transport connection. The nearest stop, Riederfurka, is around 450 m away.