AN UNFORGETTABLE NATURE EXPERIENCE
The ice and later the meltwater of the Great Aletsch Glacier have carved an impressive masterpiece into the rocks over the millennia: the Massaschlucht. Crossing it is an immersion into seclusion, an exploration of "the last hidden Walliser secret," and a challenge to one's alpine abseiling skills.
Initially, only bold hunters, shepherds, and adventurers ventured into the mostly dried-out gorge. In 1963, the renowned geologist Toni Peter Labhart from Wabern/BE, together with mountain guide Carlo Gemmet from Brig, crossed the Massaschlucht in winter. In 1984, mountain guides from the Aletsch region installed bolts at five difficult abseiling points. However, this was not enough. The tourist use began when mountain guide Peter Schwitter added more fixed abseil bolts in 1991, making the gorge fully accessible.
The starting point of the Massaschlucht is at the Gibidum Dam in Blatten near Naters, and it spans a total elevation difference of 600 meters. As early as 1980, the uniqueness of this impressive rock landscape was recognized. Over time, the Massaschlucht has become a popular excursion destination. Whether as a hiker exploring the Massaweg above or as an adventurer experiencing canyoning up close – the Massaschlucht has enriched the region with another tourist attraction.
Blatten-Belalp - Naturally beautiful. Simply magical. #blattenbelalp #magicbelalp