The Aletsch Glacier Hiking path from Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp via Märjelensee is one of the most breath-taking trails I have done in the past few years. After all, this path highlights the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps. Imagine walking downhill and in front of you is a river of ice carving its way down the valley, an ongoing process for thousands of years. Along the way, there is an option to walk down towards the Glacier, where you will hear the Glacier move with crackling sounds echoing on the left and right flank of the Glacier. If these mountains can talk, they’ll tell you how deeper this river was just a century ago.

Along the Aletsch Glacier Hiking Path from Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp Märjelensee

The hike starts at Bettmerhorn(2,647m); you could either take a cable car or hike your way up there from Bethmeralp. The viewpoint is the leitmotiv of the hike, but you will never tire of it. Step by step, as you make your way towards Märjelensee, you will see variations from the theme with different angles and points of view of the Aletsch Glacier.

The Aletsch glacier from a different angle, further North West is the Jungfrau, the source of the Glacier

Once you start to move away from the Glacier towards the East, curiously, you will see a path towards Aletschgletscher; this path gives the option to touch and see the Glacier up close. You’ll be walking down the Marjelen brook (Märjelenbach), and on this path, you will have have to use your hands sometimes, especially when on your way up. I would not classify this part as a Medium Hike, it is a bit more difficult but it is worth it.

The Marjelen Brook (Märjelenbach)

As you reach the Glacier, you’ll notice how the air becomes frigid even at the heart of Summer. Please be very careful on your way down and up. Glacier hiking usually starts from this area; I can only recommend doing this with a Mountain Guide who knows the place and the safety measures to take walking on top of the Glacier.

Further down the Glacier, you’ll see two people and, this helps you imagine the Height of the visible part of the glacier.

When you get back to the path towards Märjenlensee you’ll notice some beautiful Alpine flora along the way

When you get to Märjelensee, you will see a hut that sells food, to follow the path, please note that the kilometer-long Tälligrat tunnel is just a little bit south of Märjelensee. If you miss this tunnel, you’ll have to hike up and down the mountain towards the East to make this a circular Hike.

The Aletsch Glacier Hiking Path: From Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp: Maps and other technical information

A 3D profile of the Aletsch Glacier Hiking path. Please note that this depiction does not take into account the fact that you pass by a tunnel on the northernmost side of the path

2d Depiction of the Aletsch Glacier Hiking path, rom Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp

Path Profile. Please check the Trip summary below for the GPX file of this path.

Trip summary Prosaic details

Prosaic details Map Total distance: 15 km

Total climb: 234 m

Difficulty level: Medium

Access information: "Bettmerhorn, top station of aerial cable car – Roti Chumma – Märjelensee – Obers Tälli – Fiescheralp – Bettmeralp"

Open during seasons: Summer

Path surface type: Dust or dirt, Grass, Loose rocks, Stone pavement/Gravel

Path markers: T2 = Mountain Hiking The map could not be loaded due to either a network error or a possible server issue. Retry