Tour: Way of the Cross Naters

0:35 h
1.79 km
101 m
100 m
680 m
781 m
101 m
Start: Naters, Marktplatz
Destination: Naters, Marktplatz

This short circular walk takes you through the old village of Naters and along the Way of the Cross up to the Maria Hilf Chapel.

The Way of the Cross starts at the cemetery in Naters and winds its way up the slope to the "Maria Hilf" prayer house. The little houses have slate roofs and the neo-Gothic mannequins depict the path of Jesus in 14 stations, from his condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his crucifixion and entombment.

The creation of the Stations of the Cross is closely linked to the restoration of the parish church in 1977-1980. The monument preservation authorities ordered the removal of the neo-Gothic Stations of the Cross from 1898, which had been installed in the parish church.

As many faithful did not agree with this, the idea matured to place it from the cemetery up to the house of prayer. Under the direction of the parish council, the Stations of the Cross were erected in 1982 and 1983 with hard labour. A total of 240 volunteers put in about 10,000 hours of unpaid work.

The short circular walk also leads through the old village of Naters with its numerous historic buildings and squares.

Blatten-Belalp Tourismus

Pavements

Street

Asphalt

Trail

Path

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

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Directions

The hike starts at the market square and leads via the church to Beinhausweg. The route continues to Judengasse and up to the cemetery. From the cemetery up the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross in the forest to the prayer house.

The way back first leads further up. At the fork, turn right and after a short while you will come down to the Klosi. At the Ornavasso tower, follow the left path down to the Old Village and from there back to the market square.

Tour information

Cultural Interesting
Loop Road

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

Both in Naters and in Brig there are several parking spaces and multi-storey car parks available for a fee.

Take the post bus or the local bus (line 1) from Brig to Naters Marktplatz and start your tour there.

You can also walk directly from Brig through Naters to start your tour.

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Enjoy the silence and atmosphere of this place of power.

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

Stations of the Cross Naters