The Riederhorn from Bettmeralp

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The Riederhorn is a peak overlooking the village of Riederalp. From Bettmeralp, the route follows the Aletsch Promenade and then the UNESCO Promenade to reach Rieder Furka and Villa Cassel. The route continues with the ascent of the Riederhorn and follows the ridge. The return to Villa Cassel takes you through the Bettwald forest, which overlooks the Gibidum reservoir, a lake fed by the Aletsch Glacier.

Details

n°102803801
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.49 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,811 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,804 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,211 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,142 ft
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Photos

Riederhorn
Riederhorn
Riederhorn
Riederhorn

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,339 ft - Bettmeralp – Bergstation
  2. 1 : mi 1.23 - alt. 6,204 ft - Aletsch Promenade
  3. 2 : mi 1.79 - alt. 6,368 ft - UNESCO Walk
  4. 3 : mi 2.14 - alt. 6,640 ft - Fork in the road
  5. 4 : mi 2.39 - alt. 6,804 ft - Viewpoint (bench)
  6. 5 : mi 2.63 - alt. 6,886 ft - Junction towards Riederhorn
  7. 6 : mi 2.95 - alt. 7,142 ft - Riederhorn
  8. 7 : mi 3.52 - alt. 6,923 ft - Crossroads
  9. 8 : mi 3.83 - alt. 6,762 ft - Crossroads
  10. 9 : mi 5.03 - alt. 6,867 ft - Villa Cassel
  11. 10 : mi 5.7 - alt. 6,572 ft - Crossroads
  12. S/E : mi 7.49 - alt. 6,339 ft - Bettmeralp – Bergstation

Notes

Hike completed by the author on 29 July 2026

This hike starts and finishes at the Bettmeralp Bergstation.

  • Before setting off, it is advisable to check the Suisse Topo website for any trail closures and diversions. This information is updated in real time.
  • As well as the Visorando app, you can also download the free swisstopo app, where you’ll find this information too.

Transport: Timetables
Weather: before setting off, check the Swiss Weather Service or Météo Blue
Hiking equipment, particularly good walking boots.

Worth a visit

  • Bettmeralp: one of Switzerland’s 11 car-free villages.
  • Riederfurka and the Victorian-style Villa Cassel , dating from the early20th century.
  • The Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps, measuring 23 km in length.
  • Riederhorn and the viewpoint at the summit.

Other walks in the area

Walking In the Aletsch Forest and on the Aletsch Panorama Weg

Visorando Member
En forêt d'Aletsch et sur le Aletsch Panorama Weg
↔8.85 mi ↗+2,073 ft ↘-2,073 ft ◔5h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Riederalp (Valais)
A circular walk starting from Bettmeralp. It passes through the village of Riederalp before climbing up to Rieder Furka. From this pass, you’ll descend through the beautiful Aletsch Forest to Silbersand. As you climb back up towards Alte Stafel, you’ll gradually come to see the Aletsch Glacier. At Moosfluh and along the ridge, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the glacier. To the south, you can admire the 4,000-metre peaks, from the Weismiess to the Weisshorn via the Matterhorn. The return to Bettmeralp takes you past the lakes of Blausee and Bettmersee.

Walking Riederalp - Märjelenseestube via the Aletsch Panoramaweg

Visorando Member
Riederalp - Märjelenseestube par le Aletsch Panoramaweg
↔7.85 mi ↗+2,569 ft ↘-1,138 ft ◔5h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Riederalp (Valais)
This second stage passes through the Rieder Furka and Villa Cassel again. The trail then follows a moraine offering several views of the glacier. The climb to the Härdernagrat offers exceptional views of both the Aletsch Glacier and the Valais peaks rising to over 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn. After HohBalm, the Aletsch Glacier remains your faithful companion before disappearing at the Märjelenseestube.

Walking Hangebrucke, Belalp, Stausee Gibidum and the Massaweg

Visorando Member
Hangebrucke, Belalp, Stausee Gibidum and the Massaweg
↔14.13 mi ↗+6,699 ft ↘-6,690 ft ◔12h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Riederalp (Valais)
A Circular walk from Ried Morel (alternatively Morel or Riederalp) taking in an easy descent through woodland to glaciated rock scenery and the hanging bridge over the Massa which is the water flowing from the Aletsch Glacier. Then crossing peaceful alpine pastures to make the ascent up the steps to Hotel Belalp before dropping again on paths and roads to the dam at the end of Stausee Gibidum. The final section follows the scenic Massweg trail back to Reid Morel.

Walking Bettmerhorn and back from Ried-Morel

Visorando Member
Bettmerhorn and back from Ried-Morel
↔11.65 mi ↗+5,568 ft ↘-5,591 ft ◔10h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Riederalp (Valais)
An out and back walk to the summit of the Bettmerhorn starting at Ried-Morel (or alternatively, Riederalp, Bettmeralp or Morel)

Walking Riederhorn

Visorando Member
Riederhorn
↔7.91 mi ↗+3,035 ft ↘-3,025 ft ◔6h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bitsch (Valais)
A circular walk from a small parking area on the road named Fure (Marked Fure on Swiss map 3324T) which is above Ried-Morel. It takes a higher path above the Massaweg towards Stausee Gibidum, climbs to the Villa Cassel and then the top of the Riederhorn. The descent is through the forest. A pleasant and interesting excursion.

Walking Märjelenseestube - Bellwad via the Aletsch Panoramaweg

Visorando Member
Märjelenseestube - Bellwad par le Aletsch Panoramaweg
↔5.76 mi ↗+1,004 ft ↘-3,652 ft ◔3h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Fieschertal (Valais)
This third stage will take you to the Fieschergletcher, which runs parallel to the Aletschgletcher. On the Aspi Titter suspension bridge, you will be impressed by the depth of the Weisswasser river gorges. This fairly technical end of the route ends in the beautiful village of Bellwad, which has preserved its traditional chalets.

Walking Belalp - Riederalp via the Aletsch Panoramaweg

Visorando Member
Belalp - Riederalp par le Aletsch Panoramaweg
↔7.13 mi ↗+2,215 ft ↘-2,615 ft ◔5h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Naters (Valais)
A superb route offering quick views of the Aletsch Glacier. You will descend towards the gorges of the Massa River (Massschlucht), which flows from the Aletsch Glacier. To cross to the other side of the canyon, you will take the 124-metre-long Massa suspension bridge, located more than 80 metres above the valley floor. After the pleasant Riederfurka Pass, you will descend to the relaxing car-free village of Riederalp.

Walking Aletsch Panorama Trail

Visorando Member
Aletsch Panoramaweg
↔22.72 mi ↗+6,158 ft ↘-7,812 ft ◔4 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Naters (Valais)
Three-day itinerary featuring the two largest glaciers in the Alps. Numerous viewpoints of the Alpine glaciers and three- and four-thousand-metre peaks in Valais, such as the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn and the Fletschhorn.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.