Riederalp between Aletsch Forest and Glacier Views

Riederalp offers travelers several distinct highlights: the Aletsch Forest, viewpoints overlooking the Great Aletsch Glacier, and insights into nature and alpine culture. If you are looking for hotels in Riederalp, you can plan your trip around the destinations that interest you most. The village is car-free, so getting there and accessing individual destinations are important points to consider in your plans.

Aletsch Forest and Glacier Views

The Aletsch Forest is part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the trees there are 600 to 700 years old. If you are interested in the landscape and its natural history, this is a special highlight of the region. To get there, take a route from Mörel station via the Mörel–Riederalp West aerial cableway, followed by a 15-minute walk along a marked trail. Factor this section of the route into your plans and check the timetable for the cableway you need.

The viewpoints also vary in elevation and access. The Moosfluh View Point is 2,333 m above sea level and offers unobstructed views of the Great Aletsch Glacier year-round. The Moosfluh combination lift provides access to the viewpoint in both summer and winter. The Hohfluh View Point is 2,227 m above sea level. From Riederalp, you can reach it either by the Hohfluh chairlift or year-round via a hiking trail through Riederfurka. The chairlift operates seasonally.

Trails and Activities

The Belalp–Riederalp suspension bridge connects Riederalp with Belalp. It opened in summer 2008, is 124 m long and 80 m high. The tongue of the Great Aletsch Glacier is visible from the bridge. It can be reached via a five-hour hike between Belalp and Riederalp. The Aletsch Panorama Trail also connects Belalp with Riederalp; the two descriptions refer to separate aspects of the trails and destinations.

In summer, Riederalp serves as a starting point for hikers and mountain bikers. In winter, the Moosfluh–Riederalp sledding run offers a specific route option: it is 3.23 km long and of medium difficulty. The run starts at the mountain station of the Mitte aerial cableway in Riederalp and ends at the valley station of the Moosfluh combination lift in Riederalp. Whether it is open depends on conditions. In winter, visitors to the Aletsch Arena ski area have access to around 104 km of pistes and 34 lifts.

Alpine Culture and Nature Education

The Riederalp Alpine Museum documents the former multi-stage alpine farming system in Valais. Its kitchen has three fireplaces for cheese production; the restored annex serves as an exhibition space. In summer, you can watch butter- and cheese-making at the museum. Alongside the landscape, a visit also offers insight into the work involved in making alpine cheese.

The Pro Natura Center Aletsch opened in 1976 at Villa Cassel on Riederfurka as Switzerland’s first nature conservation center. It offers exhibitions, events and guided excursions; the program may vary by season. An information room focuses on glacier retreat, climate change and the energy transition, though exhibition content may change. The center’s alpine garden includes more than 200 plant species.

Plan Around the Travel Season

Seasonal differences can help you choose your excursions: at the Alpine Museum, watching butter- and cheese-making is a summer activity, while the Pro Natura Center’s program varies by season. In winter, sledding and the Aletsch Arena pistes add further activities; the sledding run’s opening depends on conditions. If a particular lift or activity is essential to your plans, check its timetable or the latest conditions before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Steg, Raron, Bettmeralp, Bitsch, Kippel, Betten, Unterbäch, Bister.

Back to the main travel overview: Raron.