Aletsch Panoramaweg
Overview
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Distance 12 km
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Duration 4 h
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Ascent 820 m
Intro
A string of vantage points provides a natural spectacle: to the north, the view of the Aletsch Glacier in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. To the south the 4000-metre peaks of Valais. On the gentle descent to the Märjelensee lake, cotton grasses and small tarns contrast with the rock and ice.
Description
While the tour starts at a sophisticated site, the Villa Cassel on Riederfurka doesn’t look like it belongs to this pristine environment. The castle-like structure was built around 1900 by Ernest Cassel, a wealthy English banker. Today it houses the Pro Natura Centre Aletsch. From here you first walk along Moränenweg on the border of the Aletsch Forest. The views of the Aletsch Glacier from Härdernagrat Ridge are absolutely breathtaking. At over 22 km it is still the longest glacier in the Alps, but it is getting about 50 m shorter every year. The Jungfrau-Aletsch arena was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
A fantastic view of the Oberaletsch Glacier, the second-largest glacier in the Aletsch area, opens up between Sparrhorn and Fusshörner mountains. The path leading to the Moosfluh cable car station is bordered by grasses and small shrubs. The long-range views of the glacier in the north and the 4000 m peaks of the Valais in the south, including the Dom and the Matterhorn, are amazing. This lovely hike passes a few small lakes and crosses fields of cotton grass and it feels like being on wheels.
After a somewhat steeper ascent to Hohbalm the path turns left, always following the Aletsch Glacier and offering unforgettable sights. Shortly before the Märjelensee lakes, Jungfraujoch and Monk Mountain appear far in the distance. The small lakes are located in a depression between Eggishorn and Strahlhorn. Märjelensee, now also known as Hintersee, formed in the 19th century. At that time it was as much as 1.6 km long. Today, it barely measures 100 m. Every year, the lake reforms over a period of several days and then empties out through an underground channel. The tour ends a short while later at the larger of the Märjelensee lakes and the Gletscherstube mountain hut.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Riederalp, Riederfurka
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Märjelensee
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| Ascent |
820 m
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| Descent |
520 m
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| Distance |
12 km
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| Duration |
4 h
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| Duration back |
3 h 50 min
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
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| Theme |
Along a glacier, With panoramic view
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Quick Facts
Route number
