Hiking along the impressive Aletsch Glacier, the biggest glacier in the Swiss Alps and having at the same time the mighty Matterhorn in Zermatt in sight, just simply has to be one of the most breathtaking panorama hikes in Switzerland.
We hiked the Aletsch Glacier Panorama trail from Riederalp in the Aletsch Arena on a late autumn afternoon which made it even more incredible. This is a bucket list hike in Switzerland.
How to get to the Riederalp Panorama Trail
The Riederalp is an area within the amazing Aletsch Arena in the Canton of Valais in Switzerland.
On the map below you can see how the Aletsch Arena stretches along the Aletsch Glacier all the way to the Fiescher Glacier. Endless hiking trails along the Aletsch Glacier like the Riederalp Panorama hike can be found.
Reaching the Riederalp in the Aletsch Arena is super easy. At the valley floor in Mörel you will find the Aletsch Bergbahn to Riederalp. There is parking available and should you travel with the train, the station is right opposite the cable car station, Mörel – Riederalp.
Take the connection Riederalp Mittel and at the top walk to the Moosfluh bubble lift which will bring you up to the Aletsch Glacier Panorama trail.
NOTE: Should for any reason the Moosfluh lift be closed (like it was when we visited) just ride up with the Hohfluh chairlift. You can then hike 1st to the Moosfluh Glacier Viewpoint and then back to Riederfurka and Riederalp.
Aletsch Bahnen tickets, discounts and opening hours
To get to Riederalp you need to purchase a return ticket – Mörel-Riederalp-Mörel.
And a further one-way ticket preferable to Moosfluh or if it is closed alternatively to Hohfluh.
The great thing with the entire Aletsch Arena is that you will be able to use the saver tickets you may have, like the SBB half-fare card. Children 6 years and older get 50% discount but if they travel with a SBB Junior Card or are under the age of 6 they ride for free.
If you are in possession of a GA then you ride for free to Riederalp and you will qualify for a 50% discount for the onwards tickets. If you are not familiar with all these different passes you might find our article ” How to Travel Switzerland on a budget” useful as I have explained many different Swiss travel options.
The Aletsch Bahnen are open nearly all year round with a few dates closed for maintenance. The good thing is that even if the Moosfluh or the Hohfluh lifts are closed you can still visit and hike the panorama trail via Riederfurka.
The Mörel – Riederalp gondola runs all year round and from Riederalp you can hike straight to Riederfurka and up the Panorama trail all the way to Moosfluh if you like, or as long as your feel.
Yes, you would have to walk back the same trail, but it is such a beautiful trail with 360° panoramic views that seriously it will feel like a different hike on the way back. Check their opening hours on their website
On the Riederalp Aletsch Glacier Panorama Hike
Honestly, this hike could also just be a Sunday afternoon stroll. Simply being up on the plateau and taking in the 360° view will make you happy and content.
The kids could just play in the water puddles whilst you find a bench, relax and become mesmerised by the great Aletsch Glacier – The biggest glacier in the Alps.
But ok, if you do want to hike then let’s just do that.
First you have to know that when we visited both lift systems from the Riederalp were closed, so we hiked up from Riederfurka to Hohfluh and back down the same way.
If you plan it right you should start the hike at Moosfluh towards Riederfurka and back down to Riederalp. This way is a much more relaxed and easier hike and only 5km long. No matter which option you choose or can do, anything up on the Panorama trail is stunning.
What we did. – 1st hiking from Riederalp to Riederfurka
The uphill mountain road from Riederalp to Riederfurka is easy and only 1.6km. When you are leaving the village of Riederalp you will start to see more and more of the other side of the Aletsch Arena direction Bettmeralp. And the view down the Valais valley will increase as well.
These views will make you forget about the slightly aching legs whilst hiking up to Riederfurka!
Don’t miss out the Villa Cassel – Pro Natura Aletsch
You may have seen photos of this quite special Villa Cassel up at Riederfurka. So, when you get there have a look around, maybe it is even open for a visit. Villa Cassel is a mansion, totally unexpected to see within the nature of the Aletsch Arena. Previously owned by Sir Ernest Cassel, it was once a private residence, then a hotel and today serves as conservation centre for the Aletsch Forest – Pro Natura Aletsch. During the summer months you can still book a room at the Villa Cassel.
Spot the Matterhorn in Zermatt from the Riederfurka
Sometimes when hiking in the Swiss Alps I lose a bit of orientation on what is where.
And this was also the case when we were at Riederfurka. In the distance, yet so close, was this very distinguished mountain looking like the Matterhorn. Actually, it looked unmistakably like the Matterhorn… well that is because it is the Matterhorn. 🙂
So, here you go, save your trip to Zermatt. No, I am just kidding, check out our Best things to do in Zermatt guide including the view of the Matterhorn.
Hiking up to Hohfluh Aletsch Glacier Viewpoint
The narrow path guides you through the forest up to the stunning panorama plateau from where the great Aletsch Glacier can be seen and admired.
We hiked it during the late autumn in the afternoon. It was even more like a fairytale as the sun was low and the golden colours were intense. There were also just a handful of people up at the Hohfluh Viewpoint and by the time we started to walk back we were all alone.
The cable car down to Mörel runs until late so you can really enjoy the late afternoon sun up there as the hike back to Riederalp is not long and easy.
We stopped at the Hohfluh Viewpoint and enjoyed the views, had a picnic and wondered if we could pitch a tent right where we were. It was so peaceful. But you can of course carry on hiking all the way to the Moosfluh Viewpoint which is a further 2.1km.
Alternative loop hike at the Aletsch Arena
If you do not want to hike back down the same way via to Riederfurka, then you could hike from Moosfluh Glacier Viewpoint down to Blausee and on the lower route back to Riederalp.
There are so many hiking trails in the Atesch and you can see other trails on our Aletsch Glacier Panorama Hike map below.
If you wonder how the Aletsch Arena looks during the winter check out our family Guide on Skiing in the Aletsch Arena – Bettmeralp.
Hiking Map – Riederalp Aletsch Glacier Panorama Hike
How the map works: Click on “Learn More” to get to the full map layout with profile and interactive route indicator.
As always the time given on the map is an automatic estimation. We always have much longer due to picture stops, collecting stones and crystals on the way and other things that you do on a family hike.
Hiking Facts
Location:: Riederalp – Valais – Switzerland
Length:: 5.6 km, Hiking path only without the cable cars
Level:: easy – hiked with kids of 5 years old uphill from Riederalp
Highest point:: 2516 m
Ascent 409m / Descent 320m
Good to know
- Parking at the bottom in Mörel
- Train station right opposite Mörel Cable car station
- Not pushchair friendly
- Toilet facilities in Riederalp
- Refreshments available at Riederalp
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I hope that the information provided here will prove itself useful when planning on Hiking from Riederalp the Aletsch Glacier Panorama Trail in the Aletsch Arena in Valais.
If I have left anything out, please ask your questions in the comments below so that other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries also.
Thank you & Never Forget to Explore
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