Aletsch Arena

Aletsch Arena is a holiday region in the Swiss canton of Valais, set on a sunny terrace above the Rhône valley beside the largest glacier in the Alps. It is made up of three villages, Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp, all sitting at roughly 2,000 metres above sea level. The valley station in Betten, the town listed as this place's address, is one of the gateways up to the plateau.

Where is Aletsch Arena and how do you get there?

All three villages sit high above the valley, and there is no road access for cars. Visitors take the train to a valley station and then ride a cable car up. The lower stations are in Mörel, Betten and Fiesch. Which one you choose depends on your destination: Betten leads up to Bettmeralp, Mörel to Riederalp and Fiesch to Fiescheralp.

What makes it special?

The villages are car-free. People get around on foot, while luggage reaches the hotels on small electric vehicles. The result is a quiet atmosphere and clean mountain air. The region borders the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch area, which was added to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage list in 2001. At its heart lies the Aletsch Glacier, about 23 km long and regarded as the longest in the Alps.

What is there to see?

The glacier view is the main attraction. Lifts and trails lead to several viewpoints, including:

• Moosfluh – reached from Riederalp, with a view over the bend of the glacier,
• Bettmerhorn – a summit above Bettmeralp with a panorama of the high Bernese Alps,
• Eggishorn – a viewpoint above Fiescheralp, a popular choice for a longer outing.

Footpaths also cross the Aletsch forest, home to some of the oldest pines in Switzerland. A walk among these trees, with the glacier in view, makes a gentler day out.

What can you do in summer and winter?

In summer, hiking is the main activity, from short strolls to full-day high-alpine routes. There is also a golf course nearby. In winter the region turns into a ski area with runs linking the three villages, along with marked trails for walkers and snowshoers.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to Aletsch Arena? No. The villages are car-free. You leave the car in the valley at the cable car station and continue by gondola.

Where should you start from Betten? From Betten the cable car goes up to Bettmeralp, from where it is easy to reach the Bettmerhorn viewpoint and the trails along the glacier.

Is the Aletsch Glacier protected? Yes. The Jungfrau-Aletsch area was added to the UNESCO list in 2001, so it is best to stay on marked paths.

When is the best time to visit? Summer, when trails are free of snow, and winter if you want to ski or walk in the snow. Check cable car timetables before you go, as they depend on the season.

Can you walk from Bettmeralp to Fiescheralp? Yes, but only on foot. The route runs across the plateau and is a popular, easy hike in the region.