Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail Walking Holiday

Travel overview

Make your own way to Gampel‑Steg, located in the sunny Rhône Valley at the foot of the Bernese Alps. Most travellers arrive via Geneva Airport or Zurich Airport, both offering convenient rail connections through Switzerland’s superb train network. The journey winds through spectacular alpine scenery before reaching the small village of Gampel-Steg. After settling into your accommodation, take time to relax and enjoy your first views of the surrounding Valais mountains. Tomorrow you begin your journey along the famous Lötschberg South Ramp, renowned for its sunshine, scenery and historic mountain trails.

3* Hotel, Gampel-Steg (B&B)

Your first night is spent in the Rhône Valley village of Gampel-Steg, a quiet and authentic starting point before heading into the high Alps. Accommodation will be in a 3-star hotel, such as Hotel du Pont or similar, offering comfortable, no-frills rooms and a friendly welcome.

Breakfast the following morning is typically a continental buffet with fresh breads, pastries, fruit and local cheeses. With vineyards and valley views all around, this first evening has a relaxed, local feel — a gentle introduction before the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic over the coming days.

Walk overview

Your first walk follows a wonderfully scenic section of the Lötschberg South Ramp, a classic panorama trail above the Rhône Valley. Walking alongside the historic Lötschberg Railway, you soon reach the impressive Bietschtal Bridge, an engineering masterpiece spanning a deep alpine gorge. The path continues along traditional Suonen, historic water channels that once irrigated the dry south-facing slopes. Crossing a dramatic suspension bridge high above the valley offers magnificent views across the Brägji and Riedgarten landscapes. From Ausserberg, a short train ride (not included) brings you to the historic alpine town of Brig.

3* Hotel, Brig (B&B)

Tonight you stay in the historic town of Brig, an important crossroads at the foot of the Alps. Accommodation will be in a centrally located 3-star hotel, such as Hotel Stockalperhof, Hotel Europe, or a similar property.

The old town, with its lively streets and the impressive Stockalper Palace, is just a short walk away, offering plenty of options for dinner. Breakfast is served buffet-style with breads, pastries, fruit and regional produce — setting you up well for your first steps into the high mountains.

Walk overview

After returning by train to Ausserberg, your walk again follows the fascinating landscape of the Lötschberg South Ramp. Early in the day you gain wonderful views of the elegant Baltschieder Viaduct, part of the historic railway line threading across the mountainside. The trail passes irrigation channels, traditional hamlets and informative displays about the railway’s remarkable construction. Descending towards Naters, you continue to Blatten bei Naters on foot or by bus. From here, a cable car (not included) lifts you to the beautiful alpine terrace of Belalp.

4* Hotel, Belalp (B&B)

A real change in perspective tonight as you stay high above the valley in Belalp, reached by cable car and surrounded by alpine scenery. Accommodation will be in a 4-star hotel such as Hotel Belalp or similar, offering a comfortable stay in a spectacular setting.

From here, you’re rewarded with your first views towards the vast Aletsch Glacier, stretching deep into the mountains. Breakfast the next morning includes a generous buffet of breads, cheeses, fruit and hot options — enjoyed with unforgettable panoramic views.

Walk overview

Today you enter the spectacular landscapes surrounding the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps and part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Belalp, the trail leads to viewpoints overlooking the glacier’s immense snout before crossing a dramatic suspension bridge into the ancient Aletsch Forest, home to centuries-old Swiss stone pines and rich alpine flora. Perched high on the Riederfurka stands the historic Villa Cassel, once a mountain retreat for British naturalists. Your day ends at the sunny alpine resort of Riederalp.

3* Hotel, Riederalp (B&B)

Set on a sunny terrace high above the Rhône Valley, Riederalp is a car-free alpine village with direct access to some of the finest viewpoints in the region. You’ll stay in a 3-star hotel such as Hotel Silbersand or a similar property, offering comfortable rooms and a relaxed mountain atmosphere.

The village has a peaceful, unhurried feel, with restaurants and walking trails on your doorstep. Breakfast is a fresh buffet of breads, pastries, fruit and local cheeses — ideal before another day exploring the high-level panorama trails.

Walk overview

Today’s stage follows the celebrated Aletsch Panorama Trail, offering some of the most breathtaking glacier scenery in the Alps. To the north stretches the immense Aletsch Glacier, its vast river of ice flowing deep through the mountains. To the south rise the snow-capped 4000-metre peaks of the Valais Alps. Along the trail, alpine meadows rich in wildflowers and cotton grass contrast beautifully with the stark landscape of rock and ice. A gentle descent leads you to the remote alpine lake of Märjelensee, its calm waters reflecting the surrounding peaks and glacier.

3* Hotel, Fiescheralp (B&B)

Walk overview

Leaving Märjelensee, the trail follows ancient alpine paths across landscapes shaped by glaciers over thousands of years. Descending towards the rugged rock formations of the Burg Plateau, you walk across smooth gneiss slabs polished by the movement of ice. Throughout the day the dramatic Fiescher Glacier comes into view, adding to the sense of wilderness. The impressive Aspi‑Titter Suspension Bridge, stretching 160 metres across a deep gorge, signals the final stretch of your journey before you reach the charming mountain village of Bellwald.

3* Hotel, Bellwald (B&B)

Your final night is spent in the charming village of Bellwald, set on a sunny terrace with wide-ranging views across the Rhône Valley. Accommodation will be in a 3-star hotel such as Hotel Bellwald or similar, offering a comfortable and welcoming base.

The village has a laid-back alpine character, with traditional wooden buildings and a slower pace of life. Breakfast the following morning is a continental buffet with fresh breads, fruit and local produce. It’s a fitting place to pause and reflect on a week spent walking through one of Switzerland’s most striking mountain landscapes.

Travel overview

After breakfast, make your own onward travel arrangements from Bellwald. This peaceful Valais mountain village is easily connected to the Swiss rail network via nearby Fiesch, allowing convenient travel to destinations across the country. Whether continuing your journey through Switzerland or returning home, you leave with lasting memories of spectacular alpine panoramas, historic mountain trails and the unforgettable landscapes surrounding the mighty Aletsch Glacier.