Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R94
Ulrichen » Fieschertal
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11h00 |
28.8 km
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1163 m
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1394 m
Climb uphill to the west from Ulrichen for around 200m. From here, follow the high-altitude trail Gommer-Höhenweg until reaching the village of Bellwald. Here, the ridge trail leads down to the village of Fiesch. Continue along the west side of the Fieschertal valley to the Fieschertal village, the stage destination, or take the bus.
Pass the church of Ulrichen and leave the little Obergoms village of Ulrichen with its dark brown barns and “spycher” (strutted granaries) and climb up to Obergadmen: this brings you onto the Goms high-altitude trail beginning in Fiesch and ending in Oberwald. Without having to cross a road even once, this trail leads along the sunny slope of the Goms, displaying the Oberwallis landscape in all its splendour. After the Birchwald forest, you will reach the outbuildings of Löüwenen, from where it is possible to see Münster, the main town of the Obergoms region. Here, turn for the first time into one of the three deep side valleys still to be crossed on this hike, the Minstigertal. Back on the slopes of the main valley, continue high above Reckingen through woodland and across meadows into the next side valley. After crossing the mountain stream at the Guferschmatt, the woodland path past the Binne forest clearing brings you to a large eroded section in the side of the valley. It is worthwhile having a look down to the talus, as this is where the Chapel of the Mother of God in the Ritzinger field stands. Afterwards, head on into the Bieligertal, another side valley. The trail continues more or less on a level course on the Obergoms mountainside, with only streams to interrupt the rhythm. Just before Bellwald, it reaches the chapel dedicated to Saint Apollinia. It used to be a popular destination for people with toothache. At the first houses of Bellwald, continue down over the ridge to the village centre of Bellwald. Follow the ridge trail to reach Fiesch, an industrious town with a lot of traffic and cable cars. From here, there are two alternative ways of reaching Fieschertal: either take the bus or the ridge trail on the western side of the valley. (Schweizer Wanderwege).
Natural and cultural heritage
The Goms Valley If on a clear day you stand up on the Furka pass and look westward, it is possible to see, just below the first valley basin around Gletsch, the flat valley floor of the Goms. Not far from the pass, the Rotten river finds its source at the Rhone glacier, as the German Walsers call the Rhone. The level valley floor begins near Oberwald, stretching as far as the Reckingen area. Delightful woods and meadows spread along the slopes on both sides of the Rhone. On the left-hand side, there are no villages to be discovered but on the right of the Rotten river lie numerous villages, which are noteworthy examples of their settlement type. They demonstrate the traditional old building methods of the Walsers, who used wood and were able to decorate it in a very artistic manner. These typical clustered villages with their sunburned barns and storehouses and inscriptions, are widely recognised as culturally valuable, all the more so since the churches also enjoy prominent status. Most of these large, impressive baroque buildings contain rich and interesting altars, whether from the Baroque era or the preceding Gothic era. The many chapels are also picturesque, sometimes hemmed in between the houses and sometimes standing alone out on the meadowland. History and art lovers will also pay a visit to the local history museum or the archives, which offer an insight into the lively times of the past. The Goms valley is the home of various famous personalities. The famous Cardinal Matthäus Schiner was born in 1456 in Mühlebach bei Ernen, to whom the Wallis region owes several imposing churches, while Johann Ritz stands out among the sculptors of baroque altars, and if you are thinking about hoteliers, then don’t forget Cäsar Ritz, who came from Niederwald and died in 1918. From a transport point of view, the Goms valley is easily accessible today, with the Grimsel, Furka and Nufenen pass roads, which are however closed in winter, whereas the Furka railway tunnel offers an all-year-round connection with central Switzerland. Over the last few decades, the Goms valley has gained a reputation as a pleasantly developing tourist region. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
Useful topographic maps
264T Jungfrau ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
265T Nufenenpass ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
Aletsch und Unteres Goms ~ Brig Tourismus, Brig ( )
Useful guidebooks
Oberwallis / Waeber/Steinbichler ~ Bergverlag Rudolf Rother GmbH (ISBN 3-7633-4127-7)
20 Bergwanderungen Region Wallis / Luc Hagmann, Franz u. Brigitte Auf der Maur ~ Tamedia AG Werd Verlag (ISBN 3-85932-305-9)
Oberwallis / Peter Grimm ~ Bruckmann Verlag (ISBN 3-7654-3321-7)
Picture gallery
Add your own pictures!
Comments
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Berta - 2018-07-05
Wir haben die Idee von Peter aufgegriffen und sind von Bellwald zur Aspis Titter Hängebrücke gegangen und weiter zur Burghütte. Gehzeit von Bellwald bis zur Hütte ca. 2 Stunden. Die Brücke ist grandios und der Weg lohnt sich.
Automatic translation
[Google]
We took up the idea of Peter and went from Bellwald to the Aspis Titter suspension bridge and on to the Burghütte. Walking time from Bellwald to the hut about 2 hours. The bridge is terrific and the way is worth it.
Von Bellwald lohnt es sich nicht nach Fieschertal hinunter zu wandern, viel schöner ist der Übergang über die neue Hängebrücke Richtung Burghütte.
Automatic translation
[Google]
From Bellwald it is not worthwhile to hike down to Fieschertal, the crossing over the new suspension bridge towards the Burghütte is much nicer.
Clemens - 2015-07-08
Unterkünfte gibt es in Bellwald - gleich am Weg, Burghütte und natürlich die Gletscherstube. Da der Weg sehr weit ist, besteht die Möglichkeit zur Übernachtung vor Bellwald nur im Abstieg oder mittels Zelt. Doch leider gibt es sehr wenige Plätze zum Campieren, die geeignet sind. Empfehlung: Versucht es bis Burghütte und lasst Fiesch und Fieschertal aus. Und wer Kraft hat, könnte auch noch zur Gletscherstube, was den Riesenvorteil hätte, dass man den Weg am Arletsch entlang für sich hätte.
Automatic translation
[Google]
There is accommodation in Bellwald - right at the gateway, castle lodge and of course the Gletscherstube. Since the road is very wide, it is possible to spend the night before Bellwald only descent or by tent. Unfortunately, there are very few places to camp that are suitable. Recommendation: An attempt to Burg hut and let Fiesch and Fieschertal. And who has power, could even for Gletscherstube what the big advantage would that you would have the way on Arletsch along for themselves.
Elisabeth - 2014-12-05
Petit problème : si le terminus de l'étape est Fieschertal, pourquoi faire l'aller-retour jusqu'à Fiesch, soit 6 km de plus ? On traverse Fieschertal en premier et non Fiesch, comme indiqué dans le topo...
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[Google]
Small problem: If the terminal step is Fieschertal, why make the round trip to Fiesch, 6 km more? Fieschertal one crosses first and not Fiesch, as shown in the topo ...
SPYD - 2012-09-17
Comme Martine et Martin, nous sommes allés jusqu'à Burghütte, accueil trés sympathique. Par contre comme 1ère étape de notre périple, c'est un peu long surtout la remontée finale de 400m !
Les dénivelés donnés sont faux (comme les quelques étapes suivantes) : jusqu'à Burghütte nous avons enregistré 1500m de montée et 1100m de descente !
Automatic translation
[Google]
As Martin and Martine, we went up Burghütte, very friendly welcome. By cons as the first step of our journey, it's a bit long especially the final ascent of 400m! The gradients are given false (such as following a few steps) to Burghütte we recorded 1500m ascent and 1100m of descent
De Bellwald, plutôt que d'aller à Fiesch et Fieschertal, on peut aller directement à Burghütte pour y passer la nuit. Pour cela, à Bellwald, prendre direction d'Egga. remonter un joli sentier assez sauvage qui passe près de l'arrivée d'un vieux téléphérique et d'un baraquement. Continuer à monter. Le refuge de Burghütte se trouve dans un cadre enchanteur et Konrad, le gardien est adorable.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Bellwald, rather than going to Fiesch and Fieschertal, you can go directly to Burghütte to spend the night. To do this, Bellwald take direction Egga. up a nice trail that goes pretty wild near the finish of an old car and a barracks. Continue to rise. The refuge is located in Burghütte an enchanting and Konrad, the keeper is adorable.
Janek - 2011-07-21
The time indicated to cover the distance between Selkingerchäller and Willere is wrong. According to the local signs it should be 1h10
Instead of staying in Fieschertal, you can go on 2 more hours and spent the night at the 'Burghuette' (Castle-hut). It's a really convenient place and they offer half-board and an accommodation for a really cheap price.
Tel.: 0041279714027
[My best regards to Konrad, the hut warden and Hubertus, a mountain guide and the hut owner!]
Daniel - 2010-10-17
In Fiesch, halfway from the trainstation and the Cable-car station there is friendly clean pension Hirsch (CHF 40), which serves a filling Rösti Bratwurst that will easily bring you all the way up the Aletsch Glacier
|
11h00 |
28.8 km
|
1163 m
|
1394 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.