After a leisurely start, the mountain hike leads steeply up to the Foggenhorn from Belalp. Once you reach the top, you will be greeted by an impressive panorama of numerous 4,000-metre peaks and the Great Aletsch Glacier. The trail then continues across lush alpine meadows to Nesselalp and on through the forest to Birgisch.
- difficult
- 13,64 km
- 5 hours 10 minutes
- 645 m
- 1666 m
- start: Belalp, mountain station cable car (2095 m)
- destination: Birgisch
Best Season
Good to know
- Summit
- Stop at an Inn
Belalp, mountain station cable car (2095 m)
Birgisch
If you walk down from the Belalp mountain station towards Alpe Bäll, you will catch sight of the Foggenhorn. From Kühmatte, turn right and follow the flat hiking trail to the Kelchbach stream. Then cross the small bridge and follow the hiking trail up in a zigzag course until you reach the summit of the Foggenhorn after about 2h 30 min. From the summit you can enjoy a beautiful panorama and take a short break to recharge your batteries for the rest of the trail.
Over the ridge you tackle the descent to Alpe Nessel. From here you continue to Birgisch. Through the Birgisch forest you descend to the clearing "Chittumatte" and then continue across the beautiful alpine meadows to the village of Birgisch. The path to the mountain village is quite steep, but with sturdy shoes it is easily manageable.
Belalp - Bäll - Galibode - Foggenhorn - Nessjeri - Nessel - Birgisch
Despite the " impossible to miss " markings of the hiking trails, we recommend for safety reasons to always have an appropriate hiking map with you, so that you can quickly find your way to a safe area in case of a thunderstorm or an emergency, for example.
Especially in autumn, you should also be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide bumps, roots, stones or holes in the path. After storms, trees can still fall over or branches can fall down. Especially in adverse weather conditions, muddy and slippery passages can occur on natural paths. You have to expect this kind of path impairment when you go on a hike.
Not all rocks or precipices are secured with ropes or railings. In some cases surefootedness is required. If you are of the opinion that certain sections of the trail are not passable for you, you should avoid them.
Sturdy shoes, clothing suitable for the weather, sun and rain protection, as well as sufficient supplies of food and drinks, should there be no refreshment stops or shopping facilities available or open. Although the trail is very well marked throughout, you should always have a suitable hiking map with you for safety reasons. Take sticks or other aids with you.
Author's tip
Once you reach the Foggenhorn, enjoy the views of the Bietschhorn and Matterhorn and the Gredetschtal valley.
For those who are free from giddiness and sure-footed, there is a spectacular vantage point on the Nesselalp.
Arrival by car
From western Switzerland: A9 Lausanne - Vevey, or north-western Switzerland: A12 Bern - Vevey: A9 - Sierre: main road Sierre - Brig
From north-western Switzerland: A6 Berne - Thun - Spiez: main road Spiez - Kandersteg (Lötschberg tunnel car transport) - Goppenstein - Gampel - Brig
From eastern and central Switzerland: Andermatt - Realp (year-round Furka car transport; in summer via Furka Pass) - Oberwald - Brig
From Ticino (in summer): Airolo - Nufenenpass - Ulrichen - Brig
Or via Centovalli - Domodossola - Simplonpass - Brig
From Italy (Aosta, Mt. Blanc Tunnel): Aosta - Grand Saint Bernard tunnel (over the pass in summer) - Martigny: A9 motorway - Sierre: Sierre - Brig main road.
Or via Domodossola - Simplon Pass - Brig
Blatten bei Naters
From Brig you can reach Blatten bei Naters via Naters, then take the cable car to the car-free Belalp.
Paid parking is available at Chienzlichrommu and in the underground car park in Blatten bei Naters.
You can find more information at:
Blatten-Belalp
Blatten bei Naters can be reached by public transport from Brig or Naters.
You can reach Belalp from Blatten by cable car.
Birgisch
Take the post bus from Brig to Birgisch car park and start your tour there.
You can find the timetable and further information on how to get there at: www.belalp.ch
If you have any questions, please contact:
Belalp Bahnen AG
Blatten - Belalp Tourismus AG