--- title: "CIRCULAR HIKE BLATTEN - GIBIDUM RESERVOIR - RISCHINER FOREST" url: "https://www.belalp.ch/en/tour/circular-hike-blatten-gibidum-reservoir-rischiner-forest" description: "The circular hike initially follows the paved road to the Gibidum reservoir. The Gibidum reservoir, with an area of 21 hectares (approximately 29 football fields), was completed in 1967 and is fed by the Great Aletsch Glacier. You reach the dam via a steel stairway. On the return, the hike takes you through the mystical Rischiner forest. Let your gaze wander and enjoy the tranquility. A varied hike for the whole family." language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" image: "https://dam.destination.one/2753178/97dc918a30a622f0500b2bd557ebda9f5bdb5673df5f933a10d32d1857a78816/staumauer-stausee-gibidum.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > Blatten-Belalp > Special > Destination.Data Details > Tour" --- GPX Share CIRCULAR HIKE BLATTEN - GIBIDUM RESERVOIR - RISCHINER FOREST ============================================================ - Tip - 4.78 km long - Round trip - Difficulty: easy - Condition: very easy - Hike Staumauer / Stausee Gibidum Stausee Gibidum auf der Staumauer Gibidum auf dem Weg zum Stausee Abzweigung zum Stausee / Einstieg Klettersteig Treppenauf-/abstieg Staumauer Gibidum Abzweigung Mäder / Massaweg Abzweigung Strasse in den Rischinerwald Rischinerwald Rischinerwald Rischinerwald Rischinerwald Rischinerwald Brücke Blatten - Rischinerwald - 1:45 h - 4.78 km - 270 m - 272 m - 1,328 m - 1,484 m - Difficulty: easy - - Start: Blatten bei Naters - Destination: Blatten bei Naters Set out on a hike to the Gibidum reservoir through primeval forests and test your endurance at the stairs. The circular hike initially follows the paved road to the Gibidum reservoir. The Gibidum reservoir, with an area of 21 hectares (approximately 29 football fields), was completed in 1967 and is fed by the Great Aletsch Glacier. You reach the dam via a steel stairway. On the return, the hike takes you through the mystical Rischiner forest. Let your gaze wander and enjoy the tranquility. A varied hike for the whole family. Read more Blatten-Belalp Tourismus Good to know ------------ Pavements Street (50%) Asphalt (11%) Trail (27%) Path (12%) Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Directions The hike starts at the Blatten bei Naters, cable car post bus stop. Follow the signs towards the Gibidum reservoir along the road. Cross the dam and head downhill until you reach the metal bridge over the Massa. Here the trail leads back towards Blatten bei Naters. Take the first curve onto the hiking trail and walk through the forest back to Blatten bei Naters. **Route description** Blatten bei Naters - Gibidum reservoir - Rischiner forest – Blatten bei Naters Read more Tour information - Circular trail Equipment Sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, sun and rain protection, as well as sufficient supplies of food and drinks are recommended in case no dining or shopping options are available or open. Although the path is very well marked throughout, for safety reasons you should always have a suitable hiking map with you. Bring poles or other aids. Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Getting there** **Arrival by car** **From Western Switzerland:** A9 Lausanne - Vevey, or Northwest Switzerland: A12 Bern - Vevey: A9 - Sierre: Main road Sierre - Brig **From Northwest Switzerland:** A6 Bern - Thun - Spiez: Main road Spiez - Kandersteg (car shuttle Lötschberg tunnel) - Goppenstein - Gampel - Brig **From Eastern and Central Switzerland:** Andermatt - Realp (year-round Furka car shuttle; in summer via Furka pass) - Oberwald - Brig **From Ticino (in summer):** Airolo - Nufenen pass - Ulrichen – Brig Or via Centovalli – Domodossola – Simplon pass – Brig **From Italy (Aosta, Mt. Blanc Tunnel):** Aosta - Grand Saint Bernard tunnel (in summer via the pass) - Martigny: motorway A9 - Sierre: Main road Sierre – Brig Or via Domodossola – Simplon pass – Brig **Blatten bei Naters** From Brig you reach Blatten bei Naters via Naters and then take the cable car to the car-free Belalp. Read more **Parking** Paid parking spaces are available in Chienzlichrommu and in the car park in Blatten bei Naters. Further information is available at: Read more **Public transportation** Blatten bei Naters is reachable by public transport from Brig or Naters. Timetables and further travel information can be found at: Read more Additional information If you have any questions, please contact: **Belalp Bahnen AG** **Blatten - Belalp Tourism AG** Read more Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author Guess how many steps there are up to the dam. Enjoy the Rischiner forest and have a picnic. Read more Safety guidelines Despite the "unmissable" marking of the hiking trails, for safety reasons it is always recommended to have a suitable hiking map with you so that in the event of a thunderstorm or emergency you can quickly find a safe area. Especially in autumn, note that fallen leaves on the ground can conceal unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. After storms, trees may still fall or branches drop. In adverse weather conditions, natural trails can have muddy and slippery sections. You should expect such trail disruptions when hiking. Not all rocks or cliffs are secured with ropes or railings. Sometimes sure-footedness is required. If you believe certain trail sections are impassable for you, you should bypass them. Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Event - Celebration - Tasting - Theatre - Worth a visit - Tourist Information - mountain railway - mountain railway - Tours 4.52 km - Hike 1.79 km - Hike 6.57 km - Hike - Webcams - Media Contact 3914 Blatten bei Naters Download GPX file - -