Hiking high in the Alps

15th September 2012

Last modified on August 7th, 2022

I have a confession – I woke this morning not feeling in the best of sorts.

Probably a heady combination of the altitude, very lovely, delicate Valais white wine and a really ferocious sinus cold that seems to take over when I’m in my slumbers.

However, awake I did, to another gloriously clear morning; cloudless and cool, with spectacular high Alpine views.

We are staying in an Art Furrer Hotel in Reideralp in the Altresch Arena (1900m).

Wow! What a day we have had.

It has been glorious sunshine, Europe’s finest and biggest mountains and glaciers; all within clear view and all reached by amazing and exciting walking.

Stunning scenery

After a much-needed, bacon eggs breakfast, we headed off to catch our electric bus.

Up here in the Aletsch Arena there are no conventional motor vehicles (Zermatt has the same policy) and so we jumped aboard our straining electronic bus and headed slowly across to the neighboring village of Bettmeralp.

This gorgeous, incredibly Idyllic, south facing collection of high altitude villages service three ski stations: Reideralp, Bettmeralp and Feischeralp; all lift and ski pass connected and very well serviced, all seemingly well looked after and with a collective 20,000 bed capacity; there are Hotels, hundreds of chalets and apartment buildings, but no cars.

Perfect.

So quickly we were led to the gondola and whisked up the hill.

Throughout the top station ski racks and rubber mates adorn but skis and ski boots are in absence.

Here at 2700m in mid-September, it is sun hats, walking boots and the clatter of walking poles. It’s breathlessly quiet except for our initial banter and not before long we were slowly climbing up a path that would lead us atop the Bettmerhorn ridge.

From there we are given incredible views of Europe’s longest glacier The Aletsch glacier and further up still the mighty Jungfrau (4158m).

Yours truly

The altitude was a bit pressing, as my heart felt like it was about to push out of my chest but the ridge was truly fantastic; well marked and it combined elements of some basic difficulty but is very user friendly with hand rails to keep your balance.

It is accessible and safe even for inexperienced walkers.

Head for heights

We moved through the route with Peter, our guide who at 67-years young, was a true inspiration and delight to be around and despite countless photo stops we had completed what must one of Switzerland’s most exhilarating, historical and consistently panoramic walking routes.

It was truly excellent as was our rosti lunch.

What is it about large amounts of potatoes, cheese, eggs and ham that work so well in the mountains?

And cold lager.

Our afternoon was spent walking back along the mid-level plateau talking, generally absorbing and quietly enjoying the mountains, all the way back to our hotel.

And guess what we had for dinner? …In raclette we trust.

Mother Nature

Walk on by

Thirsty work

We will be hearing once again from Christian in a couple of days.

FACT BOX

SWISS operates 36 daily flights from London Heathrow, London City, Birmingham and Manchester to either Zurich, Geneva or Basel. Fares start from £108* return, including all airport taxes.  For reservations call 0845 601 0956 or visit: www.swiss.com

The Swiss Transfer Ticket covers a round-trip between the airport/Swiss border and your destination. Prices are £90 in second class and £145 in first class.
To book call 0800 100 200 30 or visit www.swisstravelsystem.co.uk.

Transport of the luggage
– ‘Fly & Rail’ offer takes your luggage from check-in desk to your railway station destination in Switzerland, the cost is 22 Swiss Francs per piece of luggage.
– Transport your luggage within Switzerland: option of normal service or fast. Fast service will ensure your luggage arrives on same day at destination.
– Transport your bike: similar to the luggage service.
For more information then see here.

For the spirit of the mountains