Discover Ferden in the Lötschental

Ferden lies in the lower Lötschental at the foot of the Ferdenrothorn, on the Lonza. South of the village, the river is dammed to form the Ferden reservoir. The municipality has a rural, alpine character; high Alps, meadows and clear mountain streams define the surroundings. Ferden therefore offers a direct connection to mountain scenery and village history when choosing a place to stay.

Village Centre, Architecture and Chapels

The old village centre lies above the main road and includes protected timber buildings. The buildings there date from the 14th and 15th centuries; the village centre is considered to be of national importance. Those interested in architectural history will find an ensemble here whose history spans several centuries. The Barbara Chapel in Ferden was built in 1675 and is also a notable starting point for one of the regional trails.

The Mittelbergweg starts at the Barbara Chapel and leads to the parish church in Blatten. The Hublchapllu circuit has a different landmark: it starts at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Ferden, which was consecrated in 1960. The Hublchaplla on this circuit is dedicated to Saint Francis. The trails can therefore be distinguished by their stated starting and ending points, without adding any information about their duration or difficulty. Check route details and conditions before setting out.

Trails Through the Lötschental

The Lötschental Cultural Trail passes through Wiler, Kippel, Ferden and Goppenstein, following the course of the Lonza. Both the sequence of villages and the course of the river help with orientation. Another hiking route leads from Lauchernalp over the Lötschental Alps to Ferden. The wooden chapel on Faldumalp can be seen from the Bietschhorn Trail; the route then descends into the valley to Ferden. These descriptions offer different points of reference for planning: a route passing through several named villages, a connection from Lauchernalp, and a trail from which the chapel on Faldumalp can be seen. Check the route and conditions again before your trip.

Ferden also has a direct connection to two-wheeled travel: the Lötschental Bike is described as a bike trail from Wiler through the Lötschental to Goppenstein, passing the Ferden reservoir. The route passes through forests and meadows, alongside streams and by the reservoir. For trail running, the Ferden–Niwen–Lauchernalp route starts with a climb from Ferden to the Niwengrat. The ascent is listed as approximately 1,300 metres over around four kilometres. These figures give an idea of the climb, but do not replace checking current route conditions. The surrounding area also offers numerous hiking trails and winter activities; no specific winter activities are named.

Culture and Events

The Tschäggättu-Lauf is an annual event. It takes place on the evening of Fat Thursday, from Blatten to Ferden. At a woodcarving workshop in Ferden, groups of five to twenty people can carve a Lötschental Tschäggättä mask together under expert guidance. The workshop is intended to be booked in advance; check the date and booking conditions beforehand. In addition to woodcarving, the Viridarium Ferden textile workshop, founded in 2006, preserves and practises weaving as a craft.

Goppenstein: Travel and History

The hamlet of Goppenstein belongs to the municipality of Ferden and is home to the south portal of the Lötschberg Tunnel. The railway station has a car transport service and a connection towards Bern. Check the timetable and connection before travelling. Goppenstein also has a mining history: there was a mine there until the 1950s, and remnants from the period of coal mining can still be seen. At one time, the workers’ settlement had a population of up to 3,500; Goppenstein was therefore once the second-largest place in Valais.

Discover more destinations: Bister, Blatten, Bürchen, Bitsch, Grengiols, Mörel, Eischoll, Bettmeralp.

For the broader travel overview: Raron.