Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R96
Riederalp » Mund
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7h35 |
20.1 km
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749 m
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1481 m
After a short ascent to the Riederfurka gap, start the descent across the Aletsch woods towards the Grünsee lake. After crossing the 124-meter-long suspension bridge over the Massa, climb again along the hillside to the Hotel Belalp. Here, a broad flat path leads to Belalp and further to Nessel. From this terrace, head down through the wood to reach Mund, the stage destination, which is famous for its saffron farming.
From the Riederalp resort, a short climb leads to the Riederfurka gap. There begins the descent across the Aletsch woods, where forestry use stopped in 1933 and which are protected. The trail continues in open land, along the Grünsee lake, which used to be a glacial lake and is slowly turning into a quagmire. Cross the Massa on the 124-meter-long suspending bridge built in 2008. Thanks to the bridge it has again become possible to walk the trail, which used to cross the glacier here and had become partly interrupted by its retreat. Continue over open land where the glacial polish is very apparent on stones and rocks. Then start the climb to the Hotel Belalp on a narrow path across the hillside. A broad track leads to the upper station of the cable car linking the Belalp hamlet with Blatten village. From the Belalp it isn’t far to the alpine settlement of Bäll, where a visit should be paid to the Trinity Church. On leaving the alpine settlement, cross the Chelchebach stream. Below the Foggenhorn, walk over a vast meadowland plateau until reaching the Nessjeri “suone” (old water channel), which is fed by the Chelchebach stream. “Suonen” are artificial, narrow watercourses that were built there using wooden channels – alongside steep rock faces – and tunnels. The trail soon reaches the Nessel Alp, which has kept its original style intact and today looks just like it did 100 years ago. Follow the outskirts of the wood, soon dipping into the Birgisch wood. The woodland path first leads across woodland meadows and soon heads downhill through the dense trees to the edge of the wood, crossing two suones there before reaching the hamlet of Oberbirgsch. From here, follow the Grossa suone to Mundchi. After crossing the Mund stream, follow another suone on the other side of the valley leading into the village of Mund. Mund is the only place in Switzerland where saffron is cultivated and harvested for commercial purposes. In addition to saffron, the mountain village also offers other attractions: the Gstein place of pilgrimage and the hamlet of Warbflie. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
Natural and cultural heritage
Safran von Mund The village of Mund lies on the sunny slopes of the Lötschberg at 1,200m in altitude. It appeared during the 13th century in the annals under the Latin name of Mons, which means mountain. Above Mund stands a threateningly large boulder, the Mundstei. The devil is said to have once wanted to heave this rock over the village out of rage, because the villagers were starting to build a new church. In order to discourage him from continuing his evil work, the people of Mund erected a cross on the stone. For a long time, the Mund villagers had to travel into the valley on foot, before first a cable car was built. When a road was then constructed, the traffic adjusted accordingly. Today, Mund is known in Switzerland for its saffron growing. The saffron, a popular spice for rice, was brought to Spain by the Arabs. Later, saffron farming spread into the south of France and found its way, probably thanks to mercenaries, along the Rhone to Mund. It was grown in rye fields. During the two World Wars, the inhabitants of Mund looked for work in the surrounding areas, and the saffron farming therefore almost came to a standstill. On 4 May 1979, the saffron guild was founded in the citizens’ meeting room of Mund to prevent saffron farming from dying out. Consequently, around 9,000 bulbs were imported from Kashmir and planted. In the beginning, it was possible to harvest 200 grams of saffron per year after the flowering season, which occurs between mid-October and early November, and today the harvest is between 2 and 4 kilograms. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
Useful topographic maps
264T Jungfrau ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
274T Visp ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
Aletsch Goms Brig Simplon ~ Hallwag Kümmerly und Frey AG, Urtenen BE (1: 60'000)
Useful guidebooks
Brig Simplon Aletsch Goms / Chrisitan Fux ~ Rotten Verlag AG Philipp Mengis (ISBN 3-907624-52-1)
20 Bergwanderungen Region Wallis / Luc Hagmann, Franz u. Brigitte Auf der Maur ~ Tamedia AG Werd Verlag (ISBN 3-85932-305-9)
Oberwallis / Waeber/Steinbichler ~ Bergverlag Rudolf Rother GmbH (ISBN 3-7633-4127-7)
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.
Niklaus - 2018-08-05
Es lohnt sich auf Staafel Nessel den Weg zu nehmen, der auf der Ostseite der Alp vorbeiführt, sonst verpasst man den besten Aussichtspunkt der ganzen Etappe.
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[Google]
It is worthwhile to take the path on Staafel Nessel, which passes on the east side of the Alp, otherwise you miss the best vantage point of the entire stage.
Berta - 2018-07-07
Man kann von Birgisch oder Mund mit dem Bus nach Naters fahren, beinahe direkt vor dem Hotel Touring ist eine Haltestelle. Zimmer mit WC aber Etagendusche und Frühstück für 2 Personen 100 CHF. Im Ort gibt es wahrscheinlich mehrere Unterkünfte. Um 8h20 fährt ein Bus zurück nach Mund.
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[Google]
You can take a bus from Birgisch or Mund to Naters, there is a stop almost in front of the Hotel Touring. Room with WC but shared shower and breakfast for 2 persons 100 CHF. In the village there are probably several accommodations. At 8h20 a bus goes back to Mund.
Achtung: Das Restaurant Salwald (mit Schlafsaal) liegt nicht im Zentrum von Mund, sondern auf rund 1600 m.ü.M.! Zu Fuss wären das nochmals 1.5 Stunden Aufstieg - wir wurden aber freundlicherweise mit dem Auto im Dorf abgeholt. Die Halbpension beinhaltet ein sehr gutes Menü mit Safranspezialitäten.
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[Google]
Warning: The Salwald Restaurant (with dormitory) is not in the center of the mouth, but at around 1,600 meters above sea level! Walking distance to the would again 1.5 hours ascent - but we were kindly picked up by car in the village. Half-board includes a very good menu with saffron specialties.
Elisabeth - 2014-12-05
Il serait bon de préciser si le temps de marche comprend la remontée à pied ou en téléphérique de Blatten à Bäll. Dans le doute, je ne suis pas allée jusqu'à Riederalp, mais je suis passée par le pont suspendu, très spectaculaire, pour me rendre directement à Belalp.
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It would be good to clarify whether the running time includes the ascent on foot or by cable car Blatten Ball. When in doubt, I did not go to Riederalp, but I went through the suspension bridge, very spectacular to go directly to Belalp.
Simon - 2013-08-07
Super Unterkunft im "B&B Eyholzer": Man hat mich ins Nachbardorf zum Dinner gefahren und wieder abgeholt. Gute Gastgeber und sehr fairer Preis (keyholzer48@bluewin.ch)
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Great place to stay in "B & B Eyholzer" You drove me to the neighboring village for dinner and picked up again. Good hosts and very fair price (keyholzer48@bluewin.ch)
SPYD - 2012-09-23
Attention, le temps du topo est donné avec l'option téléphérique Blatten-Belalp.
L'option par le pont suspendu sur semble interessante (mais là pas de téléphérique...)
Le dénivelé fourni est "pessimiste"...
Nous confirmons que les Eyholzer sont trés gentils et accueillants. Nous avons fait les courses dans le magasin du village et ils nous ont permis de "pique niquer" dans leur cuisine.
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[Google]
Attention, the time is given with the topo Tschuggen cable option. The default on the suspension bridge seems interesting (but then no cable ...) The altitude is provided "pessimistic" ... We confirm that the Eyholzer are very nice and welcoming. We have been shopping in the village shop and they allowed us to "picnic" in their kitchen.
Jean-Louis GIRAUD - 2012-03-04
A Mund , la seule possibilité d'hebergement est le "B and B" .." Zimmer mit Fruhstuck " chez EYHOLZER Klaus und Viktorin .Leur chalet est situé au niveau de l'Eglise , au dessous de la route . Les hotes sont trés agréables . Le soir de mon arrivée , Klaus m'a conduit à un restaurant à 2/3 kms au dessous du village...
tel +41 (0)79 321 30 74
Le depart pour l'étape suivante R97 s'effectue d'abord en traversant ce vieux village Valaisan . Le balisage est présent des le premier croisement de ruelles .
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[Google]
A Mund, the only possibility is hosting the "B and B" .. "Zimmer mit Fruhstuck" in Eyholzer Klaus und Viktorin. Their cottage is located at the church, below the road. The hosts are very pleasant. The evening of my arrival, Klaus has led me to a restaurant in 2/3 kms below the village ...
tel +41 (0) 79 321 30 74
The departure for the next step occurs first R97 across this old village Valais. The markup is present in the first crossing of streets.
According to a restaurant in Mund, the "Massenlager Mund" is closed on Monday.
I spent the night at a really nice B&B in the center of Mund close to the church:
Eyholzer Klaus
079/3213074
ca. 40 CHF
There's also a supermarket in the village.
Daniel - 2010-10-17
You can easily skip ugly Blatten. Its hotels are expensive. Instead go from Riederalp directly to Belalp, passing the miraculous 124m hanging bridge across the Aletsch-river.
Daniel - 2010-10-17
The only hotel at Mund closed down. But don't worry: below the church there is a sign saying 'Zimmer' and you will be welcomed by a friendly couple. CHF 50. 46.3154,7.9428
|
7h35 |
20.1 km
|
749 m
|
1481 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.