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    Aletsch Glacier

    Switzerland

    Aletsch Glacier

    Point of Interest

    At 23 kilometres, the Great Aletsch Glacier in Oberwallis is the longest glacier in the Alps and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch since 2001.

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    9. Aletsch Glacier
    At 23 kilometres, the Great Aletsch Glacier in Oberwallis is the longest glacier in the Alps and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch since 2001. From the panoramic peaks above the car-free villages of the Aletsch Arena, you can look down on the mighty ice stream, which sweeps in a wide arc from the Jungfrau region into the valley.The three most important viewpoints are the Eggishorn at 2869 metres, accessible by cable cars from Fiesch via Fiescheralp, the Bettmerhorn at 2872 metres above Bettmeralp, and the Moosfluh at 2333 metres above Riederalp. To reach Bettmeralp and Riederalp, you travel by train to Betten or Mörel and from there ascend by cable car. At Konkordiaplatz, where several ice streams converge, the ice is up to 900 metres thick.
    The Aletschgletscher isn't on a road, but above the car-free mountain villages of the Aletsch Arena. Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp are only accessible by cable car from the Rhonetal; cars stay at the valley stations. From each village, another lift takes you to a panoramic peak, and hiking trails with views of the ice run between the villages. You can also see the glacier from the other side, from the Jungfraujoch.

    Sights in Aletsch Glacier

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Bettmerhorn and Glacier World
    Museum

    Bettmerhorn and Glacier World

    From Bettmeralp, a gondola ascends to the 2872-meter-high Bettmerhorn, the main viewpoint overlooking the Aletsch Glacier. At the mountain station, the 'Gletscherwelt' exhibition explains the glacier's formation and evolution.
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    Moosfluh Viewing Point
    Attraction

    Moosfluh Viewing Point

    The Moosfluh, at 2333 meters, lies above Riederalp, closer to the glacier's edge than the other viewing peaks. A gondola ascends from Riederalp, with glacier hiking trails starting here.
    Open in Google Maps
    Aletsch Arena
    Attraction

    Aletsch Arena

    The car-free villages Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp together form the Aletsch Arena at around 2000 meters above the Rhone Valley. In summer, it is a starting point for glacier hikes, in winter a family-friendly ski resort.
    Open in Google Maps

    Sights in Aletsch Glacier

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Bettmerhorn and Glacier World
    Museum

    1Bettmerhorn and Glacier World

    From Bettmeralp, a gondola ascends to the 2872-meter-high Bettmerhorn, the main viewpoint overlooking the Aletsch Glacier. At the mountain station, the 'Gletscherwelt' exhibition explains the glacier's formation and evolution.
    Open in Google Maps
    Moosfluh Viewing Point
    Attraction

    2Moosfluh Viewing Point

    The Moosfluh, at 2333 meters, lies above Riederalp, closer to the glacier's edge than the other viewing peaks. A gondola ascends from Riederalp, with glacier hiking trails starting here.
    Open in Google Maps
    Aletsch Arena
    Attraction

    3Aletsch Arena

    The car-free villages Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp together form the Aletsch Arena at around 2000 meters above the Rhone Valley. In summer, it is a starting point for glacier hikes, in winter a family-friendly ski resort.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Aletsch Glacier

    1

    Restaurant Bergdohle

    Restaurant and Pizzeria on the Aletschpromenade in the Aletsch Arena, also with dishes for takeaway.
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    2

    Gommerstuba

    Upscale restaurant in Niederernen in Goms, below the Aletsch Arena in the Rhone Valley.
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    Getting to the Aletsch Glacier

    Travel from Brig to Goms with the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. For Riederalp and Bettmeralp, alight in Mörel or Betten and take the cable car; for the Eggishorn, continue to Fiesch and from there ascend via gondola over the Fiescheralp. From Zurich, you're in Brig in around two and a half hours.

    Accommodations in Aletsch Glacier

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    Campgrounds in Aletsch Glacier

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    Nearby

    Jungfrau Region

    Jungfrau Region

    The Jungfrau Region in the Bernese Oberland lies at the foot of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, south of Interlaken. Here, the Jungfraubahn has been traveling since 1912 through Eiger and Mönch to the Jungfraujoch, which, at 3,454 meters, is Europe's highest-altitude railway station.From Grindelwald Terminal, the Eiger Express takes you to Eigergletscher station in 15 minutes, from there you continue by cogwheel train; from Interlaken Ost, the journey takes about an hour and a half. At the top, you look out onto the Aletsch Glacier, at 23 kilometers the longest glacier in the Alps and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch. In the Lauterbrunnen Valley, also known as the Valley of 72 Waterfalls, and in Grindelwald and Wengen, many hiking trails begin. The Swiss Travel Pass only grants a discount on the journey to the Jungfraujoch.
    Valais

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    Bern Region

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    Zermatt is located in Valais at the end of the Matter Valley, directly beneath the 4478-meter-high Matterhorn. This car-free mountain resort is the starting point for scenic railways, hikes, and high-alpine tours around the four-thousander peaks on the Italian border.By car, you can only get as far as Täsch; from there, a train shuttles to Zermatt. Within the village, electric buses and taxis operate. The Gornergrat Bahn, a cogwheel railway, has been operating since 1898, taking 33 minutes from the village to the 3089-meter-high Gornergrat, offering views of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa massif. Even higher, you can ascend to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3883 meters. For both railways, the Swiss Travel Pass only offers a discount. Zermatt is also the terminus of the Glacier Express to St. Moritz.
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