Bitsch: Chapel, Canal History and Hiking Trails

Bitsch brings together Baroque architecture, historic water engineering and hiking trails in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a hotel in Bitsch, you can assess the location according to the focus of your stay: alongside cultural history, the high-altitude areas and connections to neighbouring towns are important points of reference.

Elevations and connections

Bitsch stretches from the valley floor at 692 metres above sea level to 2,000 metres. The upper part of the village, Oberried, lies at about 1,400 metres. These figures describe a considerable range in elevation within the municipality; Oberried is a point of reference in its own right, but not the highest elevation listed.

The water infrastructure is also part of the local landscape: Gebidem Reservoir impounds water from the Great Aletsch Glacier. At the power station 750 metres lower down in Bitsch, this water is used to generate electricity. Bitsch is therefore home to both historic structures and a link between glacial water, the reservoir and the power station.

The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway and the local bus connect Bitsch with Naters and the town of Brig-Glis every 15 minutes. If your travel plans include these places, this is a practical consideration when choosing where to stay. The Red Mile towards Naters and Brig is part of Bitsch’s well-developed network for non-motorised transport; the route from Bitsch to Brig follows the former Furka-Oberalp Railway line. The route from Bitsch Wasserschloss to Biel is called the SBB Erlebnisweg.

Hiking trails and bridges

In summer, hiking trails lead directly from Bitsch into the surrounding area. An older hiking map shows the Oberriederi Panorama Trail. It also shows a route from the railway station over the Biel-Aspen suspension bridge to Naters. If you use these routes on the map as a guide, check current trail conditions locally.

An easy hiking route leads from Naters via Bitsch to Brig. It is 10.12 kilometres long, takes about 2 hours and 23 minutes, and runs at an elevation of 677 to 891 metres. This gives you specific details on distance, duration and elevation to compare with your own plans.

The Massa Trail has been repaired and is once again open to hikers; this status is current as of 26 August 2026. Check trail conditions before your hike. Another point of reference is the Massegga suspension bridge: it is 40 metres long and provides a pedestrian connection between Naters and Bitsch. From the bridge, you can see the rocky entrance to the Massaschlucht gorge. It is distinct from the Biel-Aspen suspension bridge mentioned on the older hiking map.

Zen Hohen Flühen Chapel

Zen Hohen Flühen Chapel, also known as the Chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, is a Baroque building of cultural and historical significance. The present-day building was constructed between 1726 and 1731; 1731 is considered the year the chapel was built. It stands on the cantonal road between Bitsch and Mörel, at the foot of a steep rock face over which the water of the Rieder-Abschlacht cascades. The chapel can thus be understood in terms of both its architecture and its striking setting in the landscape.

Its more recent history is also one of preservation. The chapel was badly damaged in 2009 during work to secure the road and railway. In 2011, a foundation saved the building. For travellers interested in architectural history, both its Baroque origins and its rescue after the damage are important milestones in the chapel’s history.

Hennebique Canal and regional offerings

The 3.2-kilometre-long Hennebique Canal was built in 1898/99 during construction of the first Simplon Tunnel. Before the SBB power station was built, it carried water from Mörel under the Roman Bridge and over a wooden Rotten Bridge to a point in front of the Simplon Tunnel, where the water was used to supply the turbines. The remaining section of the canal has been out of service since 1950 and has become a popular hiking trail over the past few decades. Check current trail conditions if you plan to include the canal in a hike.

Another offering in the centre is the Walker Shop on the cantonal road. It sells cheeses under its own brand as well as cheeses from nearby alpine pastures. The range also includes Zermatt mountain guide bread, Valais pasta, gift baskets featuring regional products, and raclette and fondue cookware. The Aletsch Arena ski area is also just a short distance from Bitsch. These options add regional products and winter sports to the possible focuses of a stay.

Discover more destinations: Unterbäch, Mörel, Ferden, Grengiols, Bister, Bürchen, Eischoll, Wiler (Lötschen).

Go to the main travel overview: Raron.