ALETSCH GLACIER ALPINE VIEWS ALONG EUROPE’S LONGEST GLACIER ALETSCH GLACIER WALK - SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY SUMMARY The Aletsch Glacier is Europe’s longest and largest natural glacier, its impressive size and structure has declared it as a UN World Heritage Site. Our self-guided walking holiday stretches from the southern slopes of Jungfraujoch, just beneath the Eiger in the Bernese Alps to the dry mountain range in the Valais area. Experience sweeping alpine scenery, impressive 360 degree views, forest trails, colourful wild flowers and lush green valleys. Smell the crisp clean alpine air and sample the local cuisine on this wonderful week of walking. Your journey begins in Oberwald, southern Switzerland - the Northern Gateway to the Goms Valley. You start your walking holiday by heading up to the ’Gommer Hohenweg’ which is a haute route that traverses the slopes of the valley. Stunning views and some forest walking take you down to Fiesch which boasts an outdoor swimming pool - the perfect treat after a days walk. Take the cable car up to Eggishorn where spectacular views over the Aletsch Glacier can be seen, the path then continues on to the small car free village of Riederalp where you spend an extra day. Next you head across the new suspension bridge which is a real highlight and follow the route along the slopes of the Foggenhorn to end your journey in Mund, Tour: Aletsch Glacier Walk famous all over Switzerland for its production of saffron. You finally head to Brig for your final overnight stop Code : WSwSAG where you can reflect on your wonderful walking adventure. Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday Price : See Website Fabulous walking combined with traditional 3 star Hotels. Breakfast is provided every morning and an Single Supplement: See Website evening meal is also included on 5 nights. Baggage transfer and great backup are of course included to Dates: 2nd July - 17th Sep ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in the Swiss Alps. Days : 8 Days (6 Walking Days) Nights : 7 Nights Start/Finish: Oberwald/Brig HIGHLIGHTS Grade: Moderate Is It For Me ? • 360 degree views across the Aletsch Glacier If you are looking to escape the daily grind • Wild colourful alpine flowers and lush forest walking and shake off the cobwebs then why not • head to the Swiss Alps. With wonderful and Exhilarating walking on the new spectacular suspension bridge relaxed alpine walking, high on the slopes of • Traditional, local swiss cuisine at your overnight accommodation the valley, this walking holiday will leave you envigorated and refreshed. Carefully cho- WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? sen accommodation with en-suite facilities make this a walk one not to be missed! Macs Adventure specialise in great value self guided walking holidays. As passionate and regular walkers we know what makes for an unforgettable trip and we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding walking What’s Included ? holidays with every last detail taken care of. Great walking routes, breathtaking scenery and warm, Accommodation : 6 Nights in traditional 3* welcoming accommodation are all guaranteed. Hotels all with en-suite facilities. Meals: Breakfast included every morning From your first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a specialist who knows the area intimately. and 5 evening meals included. They help you plan every aspect of your holiday and to make the most of your time with their in-depth Baggage Transfer : Door-to-door baggage knowledge of the route, accommodation and must-see attractions. transfer included Info Pack : Detailed route notes and maps Self guided walking holidays are the very best way to explore a new destination. Pre booked on arrival and emergency support from our accommodation, detailed route notes and maps, baggage transfer as necessary and local backup support local Swiss partner. mean you can relax and enjoy your time walking. Our Itinerary includes 6 Days walking and 7 Nights in 3 star Hotels. Breakfast is included every morning and 5 evening meals are included. ALETSCH GLACIER ALPINE VIEWS ALONG EUROPE’S LONGEST GLACIER slopes of the valley. As you look below you can If you decide to walk via Blausee: 12 km, 4hrs, DETAILED ITINERARY see the start of the river Rhone heading towards 410 ascent, 660 descent. the Mediterranean sea. Your overnight stay is in Overnight: Riederalp Hotel - Alpenrose - Code: WSSAG the delightful village of Munster renowned for its DB&B Days: 8 (5 Walking Days) old traditional wooden houses. Nights: 7 Grade: Moderate Walk: 11 km, 4 hrs, 730m ascent / 680m descent DAY 5 Rest day in Riederalp Day Route Km Overnight: Munster There is so much to see and do in this pretty Hotel - Croix d’Or et Poste - DB&B 1 Arrive Oberwald alpine village, you can simply relax and possibly 2 Walk to Munster 11 DAY 3 visit the Nature Centre to learn about the area, or 3 Walk to Fiesch 19 you can take the short climb up to the summit of 4 Walk to Riederalp 10 Walk to Fiesch Reiderhorn (2230m) for wonderful views, or 5 Free Day in Reideralp discover Aletschwald, the largest forest of 6 Walk to Blatten 14 A short ascent back to the ‘Gommer Hohenweg’ 7 Walk to Brig (via Mund) 13 and then the route leads off to smaller side mountain pines in Switzerland. The forest is a 8 Onward travel valleys with wild rivers and stunning views over magical place and contains some of the oldest snow covered peaks. You soon reach the village pine trees in Switzerland. of Bellwald which means ‘beautiful forest’, make Overnight: Riederalp Hotel - Alpenrose - sure and explore this wonderful village with its DB&B DETAILED DESCRIPTION fantastic 360 degree views. A short walk takes you down to Fiesch for your overnight stay, if the DAY 6 DAY 1 weather is fair then make sure and enjoy the Walk to Blatten Arrive Oberwald outdoor swimming pool in the village. Today is a real highlight of the week, you start Oberwald is located in the South of Switzerland Walk: 19 km, 6 hrs, 800m ascent / 1400m descent off heading down to an area called the ‘sand’. and is easily accessible by train from both Zurich This area used to be covered by the glacier but (3hrs) and Geneva (4hrs) - both involve one Overnight: Fiesch Hotel - Christania - B&B in recent years trees and plants have started to change of train. There are low cost flights from grow. Next you head to the newly built the UK/Europe to both Zurich and Geneva. DAY 4 suspension bridge for alpine hikers, it’s the Oberwald is the Northern gateway of the Goms Walk to Riederalp longest of its kind and crosses a 50m deep Valley, a rural area with many well preserved gorge. It provides a real adrenaline rush but if it Today starts by either taking the cable car to villages. Your information pack including route doesn't look appealing then don't worry there is reach the Fiescheralp which is situated high notes and maps will be waiting for you at your an alternative route! After the crossing you head above Fiesch or if you prefer a challenge - you Hotel in Oberwald. up to Belalp where you can take a rest and enjoy can walk the steep trail! Relish the wonderful the alpine views. You can either take the cable Overnight: Oberwald Hotel - Ahorni - DB&B views over to the Reideralp and we recommend car or walk down to the small village of Blatten taking the cable car further up to Eggishorn for your overnight stay. DAY 2 (2927m) where you will gain outstanding views Walk to Munster - following the over the Aletsch Glacier. Head back down to Walk: 14 km, 5 hrs, 520m ascent and descent (add 900 m descent and 2-3 more hours if not ‘Gommer Hohenweg’ Fiescheralp and take either the normal route or the slightly tougher route leading to the scenic using a cable car) Todays walk is an easy start to the week, it blue mountain lake (Blausee). The later route Overnight: Blatten Hotel - Massa - B&B follows a delightful track leading up above the provides some fantastic walking along the valley through open forests where wild flowers mountain ridge with more views of the glacier. are in abundance. You follow the ‘Gommer Hohenweg’ - the haute route that traverses the Walk: 10 km, 4 hrs, 250m ascent / 450m descent ALETSCH GLACIER ALPINE VIEWS ALONG EUROPE’S LONGEST GLACIER DAY 7 the most from this holiday. details for each day including rest stops and places of interest. Walk to Mund/Brig Navigation Baggage Transfer You start today by heading back up to Belalp The routes on this walk are not waymarked but either by cable car or by walking. You then walk we provide you with detailed route notes and Your bags will be transferred between your along the slopes of the Foggenhorn providing maps to follow each step. accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask great views down towards the village of Birgisch. you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to The track takes a diversion down to enter the Accommodation 20kg per person. Gredetschtal which is a narrow side valley and We specifically select your accommodation in Equipment the next section of walking is thrilling along some local, family run hotels to ensure that you enjoy narrow cliffs and sometimes steep terrain. every minute of your stay in Switzerland. They Your information pack has a detailed equipment Eventually you reach the village of Mund made all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional list which includes standard walking gear such as famous for its production of saffron, which is hospitality and delicious local food.