Riederalp - Märjelenseestube via the Aletsch Panoramaweg

For ease of description, the following annotations are used:
Sign R: Yellow sign with hiker pictogram.
Sign No. 39 or P39: Red/white multi-directional sign with green sticker No. 39.
The start of this hike is at the Hotel Sielbersand in Riederalp.

(S) From the Hotel Sielbersand, return to the main road until you reach the Berghaus Toni.

(1) Take the Unescopromenade back to the Rieder Furka.

(2) At the crossroads, take the second path on the right, which quickly splits into two again.

(3) Take the path on the right at the edge of the Aletsch Forest.

(4) As indicated by P39, turn right to catch up with the ridge (Härdernagrat).

(5) Once on the ridge, enjoy the wide panorama stretching from the Weissmies to the Weisshorn via the Matterhorn. Follow this magnificent path, keeping to the various P39 signs along the way.

(6) Continue along the ridge, enjoying the scenery, with the Aletsch Glacier on your left and the Matterhorn and other peaks on your right. You will soon reach Moosfluh, the upper station of a cable car.

(7) At Moosfluh, take advantage of a small viewpoint to admire the Aletsch Glacier. Also check out the various educational points about the glacier and global warming. Follow the P39 signs on the route, staying on the ridge, to reach Hohbalm, where several paths cross.

(8) Leave the paths on the right that lead to the summit of Bettmerhorn or the upper station of Bettmeralp. Turn left, staying directly above the Aletsch Glacier.

(9) Continue alongside the glacier until you reach the next sign indicating Märjelen.

(10) Descend gradually towards the glacier tongue and discover the summit of the Aletschhorn, which gives its name to the glacier.

(11) At the foot of the Eggishorn, get closer and closer to the Aletsch Glacier. At the base of the Eggishorn, start turning towards the Märjelen valley and leave the Aletsch Glacier behind you. You will arrive at the small lake of Märjelensee.

(12) Guided by the P39 signs, head towards the Gletscherstube, which is already clearly visible (E).

Hike completed by the author on 26 September 2023

• The route for this hike uses the Aletsch Panoramaweg, which is marked on Swiss maps.

Signposting: at each major junction, you will find signposts

• Sign No. 39 with a sticker No. 39 indicating this trail.
• Sign R: Yellow sign with a hiker pictogram
• Before setting off, it is advisable to check for any trail closures and diversions on the Suisse Topo website. This information is updated in real time.
• In addition to the Visorando app, you can also download the swisstopo app ( free) where you will also find this information.

Transport: Timetables
Weather: before setting off, check the Swiss Weather Service or Météo blue
Hiking equipment, including good shoes.
Accommodation in Märjelensee: Märjelensee Gletscherstube

• Riederalp: one of 11 car-free villages in Switzerland.
• RiederFurka and the Victorian-style Villa Cassel, dating from the early 20th century.
• Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps, measuring 23 km long.
• Numerous viewpoints of three- and four-thousand-metre peaks in the Valais, such as the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn, the Weissmies and the Dom.
• Numerous viewpoints of the Aletsch Glacier and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland, such as the Aletschhorn, Mönch, Sphinx and Trugberg.
• Märjelensee, the Gletscherstube and the dam.