THE BELALP WITCHES' DESCENT
Every January, bone-chilling screams and eerie cackles echo through the Blatten-Belalp region. This picturesque holiday area, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, is then firmly in the hands of witches. The fastest racers complete the 12-kilometre course from Hohstock at 3,118 m a.s.l. down to Blatten at 1,322 m a.s.l. in a daring 10 minutes. The witch groups take it a bit more leisurely. With green faces, crooked noses, and loud screeching, the witches fly down into the valley on their brooms. From time to time, they park their brooms in the powder snow and treat the spectators to food and drink from their backpacks. Not all groups arrive at the finish line in full force – some witches lose their way on the snow-covered slopes of Belalp or get lost in admiration of the breathtaking panorama.
The 44th edition of the Belalp Witch will take place from January 10 to 17, 2026.
