The forgotten ones (Valais)
Here another "forgotten hikes" post! Those that I don't remember well enough to do a detailed post but still I remember the path and I have come pictures. This time we go to Valais!
Rinderalp and Aletch Arena, Valais, Switzerland
- Start point: Cable car in Riederalp, any of the two, 1924m
- Destination: Riederalp ridge, higest point 2242m
- Distance: ~8.6 km loop
- Elevation gain: ~390 m
- Time: ~2h30-3 hour (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy when well prepared
Description :
Riederalp is a full town up a mountain. You cannot get there by car but only cable car. When we went I remember the postman was with us in the cable car to bring mail up!
We did this hike in winter as a snowshoe but I suppose it would be great in summer as well. The path was large and groomed all the way. It bring you on the ridge on one site and then you do the Panoramaweg on the ridge and finally you come back on the other side. The highlight is views of the Aletchgletcher one of the largest glaciers still existing in the Alps that goes from the Jungfrau all the way to Valais.
When we went it was very cold! So cold that it froze the water in our camelbag! But it made for nice frozen branches patterns.
- Start point: Faflerap parking 1725m
- Destination: Schwartzsee (1885m)
- Distance: ~3 km one way
- Elevation gain: ~130 m
- Time: 50min one way
- Difficulty: Easy
Description :
Of this one I really remember little in any case you start from the parking at the end of the valley and then you go back on the flank of the valley all the way to Schwarzsee (one of the many in Switzerland). You can see a picture of it in the cover of the post. The path is large and easy and it is part of the longer Lötchentaler Höhenwanderweg that continues to Lötmeralp and Freden. The part up to Schwarzsee is also perfect as a family hike.
Pointe de Bellevue, Valais, Switzerland
- Start point: Morgins, 1310m
- Destination: Pointe de bellevue, 2040m
- Distance: ~5km km one way
- Elevation gain: ~730 m
- Time: ~4 hours (return)
- Difficulty: Medium
Description :
Another one of which I don't remember much. I remember that in Morgins there are large parkings to leave your car and then the hike goes up steady without particular difficulties first on little asphalted roads and then on a path in the pastures. At the top you will have views of the lake on one side and Dent du Midi on the other.
Hospice du Grand Saint Bernard, Valais, Switzerland
- Start point: Swiss entrance of the Tunnel of Gd. St Bernanrd, 1890m
- Destination: Hospice du Gd St Bernard, 2470m
- Distance: ~6 km one way
- Elevation gain: ~580 m
- Time: ~2h hour (one way)
- Difficulty: Medium
Description :
This is an historical one. I did it in winter as a snowhoe hike. Just before the Gd St Bernard tunnel entrance you take the road to Col du Gs St Bernard, the summer road that allows you to go to Italy without paying the tunnel. In winter it is closed and this hike basically goes over it when it is covered in snow.
The hike is quote long for a snowshoe and there is some incline in a few parts that make walking not so easy. Unfortunately I cannot give you a reliable GPS track as the app tries in every possible way to take the summer path.
When you arrive you'll find the century old monastery. They say even Napoleon slept here as this one of the main ways to cross the alps from France to Italy. Also the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome passes here. When I went the first time we actually slept here and came back the next day. The monastery is still active even if with not many monks and they offer rooms. Be sure to book because if there is no place it is not immediate to go back. In any case it is definitely worth you'll find there also the Museum of the Gd St Bernard rescue dogs and a chapel with frescoes, unusual at this hight.
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