The Aletsch Glacier Hiking path: From Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp

by Alvaro Senturias · April 30, 2020

The Aletsch Glacier taken from the circular hike from Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp Märjelensee.

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.

Along the Aletsch Glacier Hiking Path from Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp Märjelensee(From a different Angle) — 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.

Märjelenbach, a detour along the Aletsch Glacier Hiking path from Bettmerhorn to Bettmeralp via Märjelensee — 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.