Tour: Glacier nature trail Belalp

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1.86 km long

Difficulty: easy

Condition: very easy

Great panorama

Theme trail

Aletschgletscher — © Blatten-Belalp Tourismus

0:31 h
1.86 km
40 m
3 m
2,095 m
2,133 m
38 m
Start: Belalp, mountain station cable car
Destination: Hotel Belalp - Aletschbord

A glacier nature trail has been installed on the path from the Belalp mountain station to the Aletschbord. It is directly linked to the interactive exhibition in the World Nature Forum.

Embark on a very special journey through time. The glacier nature trail on the Belalp leads you from the top station of the cable car to the Aletschbord. The installation starts with an explanation of the path and closes with a view into the future.

The past: 1892 - A period of time that causes the whole of Europe to freeze and poses great challenges to agrarian society. In this time, the mighty glaciers of the Alps, which advance far into the valleys, are interpreted as a great threat.

Time travel: Time markers show in which year the Great Aletsch Glacier reacted extremely - as a long-term reaction to the changing climate. In these years, the glacier tongue the size of the Statue of Liberty melted back by more than 40m.

The present: Arriving at the Aletschbord, you are left with a view of the present state of our contemporary witness and a look back at how it once was.

Blatten-Belalp Tourismus

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Directions

A glacier educational trail has been installed on the path from the mountain station of the Belalp cable car to the Aletschbord, which on the one hand points out the dramatic effects of climate change and on the other hand is part of the tourist offer of the destination Blatten-Belalp. It is also directly linked to the interactive exhibition in the World Nature Forum of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch. The initiators of the project are Dr. Sebastian König, the Kulturbärg Association and the Visitor Centre of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.

Tour information

Cultural Interesting
Stop at an Inn

Equipment

Sturdy shoes, clothing suitable for the weather, sun and rain protection, as well as sufficient supplies of food and drinks, should there be no refreshment stops or shopping facilities available or open. Although the trail is very well marked throughout, you should always have a suitable hiking map with you for safety reasons. Take sticks or other aids with you.

Directions & Parking facilities

Arrival by car

From western Switzerland: A9 Lausanne - Vevey, or north-western Switzerland: A12 Bern - Vevey: A9 - Sierre: main road Sierre - Brig

From north-western Switzerland: A6 Berne - Thun - Spiez: main road Spiez - Kandersteg (Lötschberg tunnel car transport) - Goppenstein - Gampel - Brig

From eastern and central Switzerland: Andermatt - Realp (year-round Furka car transport; in summer via Furka Pass) - Oberwald - Brig

From Ticino (in summer): Airolo - Nufenenpass - Ulrichen - Brig

Or via Centovalli - Domodossola - Simplonpass - Brig

From Italy (Aosta, Mt. Blanc Tunnel): Aosta - Grand Saint Bernard tunnel (over the pass in summer) - Martigny: A9 motorway - Sierre: Sierre - Brig main road.

Or via Domodossola - Simplon Pass - Brig

Blatten bei Naters

From Brig you can reach Blatten bei Naters via Naters, then take the cable car to the car-free Belalp.

Paid parking is available in the Chienzlichrommu and in the multi-storey car park in Blatten near Naters.

You can find more info at:

www.belalp.ch

You can reach Blatten near Naters from Brig or Naters by public transport or by private vehicle. Then take the cable car up to Belalp. Timetable at www.belalp.ch

Additional information

If you have any questions, please contact:

Belalp Bahnen AG

www.belalp.ch

bahnen@belalp.ch

+41 (0)27 921 65 10

Blatten - Belalp Tourismus AG

tourismus@belalp.ch

+41 (0)27 921 60 40

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Find out more about the Aletsch Glacier, climate change and the mountain world of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site in the interactive exhibition at the World Nature Forum in Naters.

Safety guidelines

Despite the "impossible to miss" marking of the hiking trails, we recommend for safety reasons to always have an appropriate hiking map with you so that you can quickly find your way to a safe area in case of a thunderstorm or emergency, for example.

Especially in autumn, you should also be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide bumps, roots, stones or holes in the path. After storms, trees can still fall over or branches can fall down. Especially in adverse weather conditions, muddy and slippery passages can occur on natural paths. You have to expect this kind of damage to paths when you go on a hike.

Not all rocks or precipices are secured with ropes or railings. In some cases surefootedness is required. If you are of the opinion that certain sections of the trail are not passable for you, you should avoid them.

Event

Place of interest

Tours

Belalp Glacier Educational Trail